Five years had passed since the fall of Lumar and the death of the king. Vargath's grip over Skjoltrheim tightened with each passing season, his ambitions bleeding the land of its unity. Under his rule, humans grew increasingly cruel toward other races, and dark times descended upon the elves and dwarves. The once-proud elven clans were now targets of a brutal slave trade, and dwarves, prized for their strength, were reduced to little more than beasts of burden.
Yet in the cities where tolerance remained, a fragile coexistence lingered. But for most, the tension had reached a boiling point. The elves, their patience stretched thin, could no longer tolerate Vargath's tyranny. Clashes between elven warriors and Vargath’s forces became commonplace. Though the human armies were strong, the elves had the advantage of healing magic, rare potions, and goods that no human could replicate. As the elves and dwarves began to ban the sale of their precious resources to humans, Vargath's war efforts were on the verge of collapse.
With his armies stretched thin and vital supplies dwindling, Vargath was forced to confront a reality he despised: he needed the very races he sought to subjugate. The conflict was no longer sustainable. A temporary ceasefire was called, and all eyes turned toward a summit meant to end the fighting—at least for now.
It was in this turbulent atmosphere that the Thorian Agreement was born, forged in the memory of the late King Thorigg Whitemane. Representatives from the elven and dwarven clans gathered in the neutral halls of Fjallgard, where Aethyrvald now lived and thrived under the watchful eye of Bjorn and the Phalanx. The meeting was tense, but a deal had to be struck.
On the day of the signing, the hall was cold and silent, save for the murmurs of the attending dignitaries. Vargath sat at the head of the table, flanked by his most trusted advisors. Across from him stood the elven emissaries, their tall frames and ageless beauty a stark contrast to the war-hardened humans. The dwarves, stout and defiant, eyed their human counterparts with thinly veiled contempt.
Jarl Tuomas of Norrvik, who had been instrumental in stabilizing Lumar after the invasion, spoke first. "This war cannot continue," his voice echoed through the hall. "It will leave Skjoltrheim in ruin, and we will all suffer for it."
The elven leader, Lady Vaelora, nodded. "Our people have no desire for further bloodshed. But we will not trade our freedom for the greed of one man."
Vargath, seething but desperate, finally agreed to negotiate. The result was the Thorian Agreement, a pact designed not out of trust or kinship, but out of necessity. Seven laws were decreed, each one aimed at preserving a fragile peace:
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1. Trade Embargoes Prohibited
No race, whether elf, dwarf, or human, shall impose an embargo on essential goods, such as food, healing items, or materials vital for survival, regardless of personal conflicts or hostilities between factions. Any such action will be met with collective sanctions from all other races.
2. Neutrality of Crafts and Healing Arts
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All races will respect the neutral standing of skilled artisans and healers. Dwarven blacksmiths, elven apothecaries, and human craftspeople will not be forced into servitude, nor shall their work be appropriated solely for war purposes.
3. Protection of Non-Combatants
Elves, dwarves, and humans agree that no race shall target or enslave civilians, particularly non-combatants, including artisans, merchants, scholars, and healers. Any violation will result in the immediate suspension of trade privileges.
4. Fair and Open Market
Markets across Skjoltrheim will remain open to all races, without bias or excessive taxation imposed based on race or creed. Goods will be traded fairly, and price manipulation for the purpose of weakening another race’s economy is strictly forbidden.
5. Shared Access to Resources
Resources critical for crafting and sustenance—such as metals, timber, and medicinal herbs—shall be shared equitably between the races. The natural wealth of the land belongs to all inhabitants, and no single race shall monopolize key resources.
6. Non-Expansion of Territories
No race shall seek to expand their territory by force during times of peace. The borders established by this agreement will remain in place, with mutual respect for the lands of others. Any incursion into another race’s territory will be seen as a direct violation and grounds for collective action.
7. Council of Peacekeepers
A neutral council, consisting of three representatives from each race, will oversee the enforcement of the agreement. This council shall convene quarterly to mediate disputes and ensure that the laws of the Thorian Agreement are upheld. Decisions of the council are binding, and refusal to abide by their rulings will lead to the suspension of all trade and economic support.
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The agreement was signed with cold hands and grim faces. Vargath, though outwardly compliant, held malice in his heart, and many suspected that the peace would be temporary. But for now, Skjoltrheim would know a brief respite from war. The cities and towns that had been razed would begin to rebuild, and the flames of open conflict would die down—at least for a time.
As the signing concluded, Aethyrvald, now ten years old, watched from a distance, hidden behind the towering pillars of the ancient hall. He had grown strong and clever under Bjorn's tutelage, but his young heart burned with the desire to understand the world around him. The stories he had been told of peace and honor seemed distant from the reality of the world unfolding before him.
That night, as the flicker of torchlight danced across the Fjallgard mountains, Aethyrvald sat on the steps of the hall, looking out into the vast wilderness. Bjorn joined him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Peace, my boy," Bjorn said, his voice soft but firm. "It is hard-won, but fragile. We must do our part to uphold it, no matter how fleeting it may seem."
Aethyrvald nodded, though he couldn't shake the feeling that this peace, like the calm before a storm, would not last forever.
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Thus, the Thorian Agreement became a beacon of hope, a fragile promise that, though imperfect, gave the races of Skjoltrheim a chance to rebuild. But beneath the surface, darker forces stirred, and the true test of unity had yet to come.
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End of Chapter