The elven war room was, once more, entirely shrouded in silence. Lymlok, his sister and general Eirlys sat at the side of the table, heads down. They avoided her gaze.
"So, this is how the elves of Vatur display their capabilities at defending the Silver Forest?" She spoke.
"Throwing bodies at the invaders, hoping they run out of ammunition before you run out of soldiers? Last I checked, before me stand elves, not orcs."
"Lady Aurelia, we-"
"Tie your tongue Lymlok, while you still have it." The High Elf looked at him. Her voice never raised in tonality, but the weight of her words was crushing.
To regular elves, High Elves were like demigods. Their power was beyond anything even the most gifted elven mages could dream of attaining. True immortality, blessed by the Gods themselves. No title, no crown, no status could measure to a High Elf in the hierarchy of the species. Their words were law, their orders absolute.
"Permission to speak?" Princess Claudia spoke, her voice soft and timid.
"No. I have no use of your mouths, nor anything that might come from them." Aurelia waved her off.
"Eirlys already informed on everything I should know about these apes."
The radiant woman stood up from her seat at the head of the table and walked over to the balcony. Her eyes peered at the horizon, seeing farther than even the best Vatur scouts could.
"So, that is the Rail cannon? The Iron Fortress that shot a hole through the Home Tree?"
"Yes, Lady Aurelia." Claudia responded.
"What an ugly contraption. And I believed the dwarven machinery was unsightly." She scoffed.
"Not surprising that Eothen died trying to stop it though."
For the first time since Aurelia entered the war room, the royal siblings dared to look up. A still fresh rage simmered inside them, at the mention of their brother's death at the hands of the invading humans.
That feeling was fleeting however, Aurelia's golden eyes meeting theirs. Lymlok and Claudia quickly averted their gaze, hanging their heads down again as a cold chill washed over them.
"Glad to see that your determination to avenge him has no diminished, in spite of your string of failures." The High Elf smirked for a moment, before regaining her neutral facial expression.
Aurelia sat back down; a pondering look on her face. Vatur kingdom truly was caught in an inopportune time. Their king deathly ill, his heir dead. The remaining two siblings were handling running the kingdom as well as one could hope. With Lymlock dealing with internal affairs and foreign relations, while Claudia, despite her crippled state, commanded the military.
Of the various elven kingdoms on the continent, Vatur had the least mages. General Eirlys was the best magic user the kingdom had, and that made their chances of victory everything but promising. Arrows and swords really couldn't match up against the invading humans and their weapons, no matters how hard they tried. The only solution would have been a to raise and army and attempt a full-on assault, but after humans made their show of force with the rail cannon, the kingdom was hesitant to send more troops into the meat grinder.
"No." Aurelia thought to herself. The kingdom was not hesitant, it was terrified. Despite their attempts at small skirmishes here and there, mainly to defend the borders of the Silver Forest and the second portal gate, the elven soldiers seemed more than happy at the stalemate. Though they knew that the situation could change on a dime and it was entirely up to the humans to decide on that.
She recalled the machinery she had taken down a few nights prior, saving the lives of general Eirlys and her troops. No doubt, with such weapons at their disposal, the invading force would eventually take over the kingdom.
"What's the situation of the liberated portal gate?" The High Elf mage finally broke the uneasy silence with her question.
"We've sent our best troops to guard the gate, My Lady. Even hired various platinum tier adventurers from neighboring kingdoms as back up. Also, several mages as well from Queen Vitora's court." Lymlok responded.
Aurelia nodded, before turning to the general.
"Any new reports from the dungeon?"
"No, My Lady. Our guard is still holding strong, the human advance seemed to have slower to a halt." Eirlys said.
***
Morning came fast, but the camp disassembly and packing was even faster. Where once stood several tents, fences, and a few parked Humvees was now just a field. A field with 3 soldiers in the middle of it.
"Good morning." came a chirping voice from behind them.
The three men turned around, coming face to face with a short woman. She was dressed like a typical village girl, high boots, dress and a sweater west. Her long, blond hair was tied in a braid, almost reaching her lower back. Blue eyes that exuded overwhelming "morning person" energy.
"I am Layla. Ambassador from the court of Her Majesty, currently in service of Duke Perriman." Spoke the woman.
"Any questions?"
Clyde, Marcel and Jeremy simply shook their heads. The cheerful woman clasped her hands, leading them over to a cart, guarded by two soldiers from the Dutchy.
"As you are surely aware, the Duke made this request in secrecy, so I have here prepared clothes that will help you blend in with the locals." She eyes the men up and down, her eyes lingering on Clyde and Marcel.
"Though we may have some issues regarding sizes."
Clyde wasn't a big fan of the whole ordeal, mainly due to the fact that traveling in secrecy meant he couldn't bring any of his main weapons along, especially his combat suit, as it would draw obvious attention.
All 3 of them still wore moderate body armor, which would keep them safe from arrows and bladed weapons, under their new costumes. Minimal weapons too, mostly handguns and an SMG each. Anything they could hide under cloaks. After all, the plan was to hear the Duke out on his request, not try to overthrow the Dutchy.
"Tell ya what, these clothes are starting to grow on me." The tallest of the three men said, once Layla had managed to find clothes that actually fit him.
Even outside the combat suit, Clyde did not appear any smaller, easily towering over everyone else present, two guards included.
"No one's big like Gaston! Incredibly thick like Gaston." He sang while flexing and checking out how the clothes fit his frame. They were obviously on the looser side, to account for the body armor they wore underneath.
"More like the Beast." Jeremy added.
"The human version."
"How dare you?" Clyde gasped, placing a hand on his chest theatrically, acting offended at the comparison, while Marcel chuckled.
"Well, if you gentlemen are all prepared, I would like us to start moving. If we manage to catch the morning trade caravan heading to the Dutchy, we will be able to get in even more unseen." Layla said, hopping on into the cart.
The soldiers nodded and joined her inside, while the guards drove the cart. A large, black and white cat appeared from under the remaining clothes that were piled in the corner, and snuggled up to the woman.
To the surprise of the three men, the feline appeared to be wearing overalls.
Jeremy opened his mouth to ask about the cat, but thinking back, this was far from the weirdest thing they've seen in this world, so he decided against it.
"So, how come you understand us? And vice versa?" Marcel asked Layla, who was petting the pat that curled up on her lap.
"Oh, that's easy. Ambassadors are usually low tier mages, who possess spells that allow understanding and talking to various species, often in their native language." The blonde woman responded, pointing to a necklace she wore.
"The makes understanding you even easier."
"But others, like the guards, have no clue what we are saying?" Jeremy interjected.
"Correct." She replied, before continuing.
"If you are worried that speaking your language to one another or me, will blow your cover, worry not. The town is a mixture of various people, from different regions. Some speak different dialects, others different languages entirely. You will blend right in."
***
Everybody kept their heads down as the cart merged with the incoming caravan and made it through the gates of the small town. It was a busy place, no doubt, with townsfolk all over the streets. Various shops and stores lined both sides of the main street, leading to the town center. Layla was no lying when she said the town has great diversity of people. Everything from humans and elves, to dwarves and kobold could be seen amongst the crowd, rushing to the center of the town where the marketplace was, to set up their booths as the trade caravan approached.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
The town had a circular layout, as a portal gate stood in the center of it, the buildings seemingly built around it. By the looks of it, the gate was not used in quite some time, but the invading soldiers now understood the position Duke Perriman was in, and his offer most likely would be.
Below the soil, Marcel's pets followed the cart, ready to jump out at the first sign of trouble.
Once they arrived at the market, the group continued on foot, blending into the crowd, as Layla, cat riding on her shoulders, lead them to the Duke's manor. A lavish estate, situated atop a hill, looking over the entirety of the Dutchy.
For how chatty the men were before the start of the journey, all 3 of them were no silent. Not a word was uttered by either of them since the group entered the town. The ambassador felt a bit uneasy due to this, she was used to adventurers, and even mercenaries, being quite chatty, especially before a mission. The soldiers behind her seemed to be observing the town, studying the layout of it and mapping it out.
Once they passed through the estate gates, Layla told the group they can relax and remove their hoods, as the hardest part of the journey was behind them. The soldiers did as told, with no change in attitude. Finally, the giant of a man, broke the awkwardness.
"Y'know, I hope they feed us. I never had fantasy food before." Clyde grinned.
"Oh, yeah. We did not have breakfast yet. I will let the Duke know. Don't worry, he knows how to treat important guests." She replied, as the cat hopped off her shoulder and ran off somewhere.
The term "fantasy", that Clyde used, confused Layla a bit, but she decided not to think much of it. These humans were from a different world entirely, so perhaps this truly was fantasy to them.
Inside the manor, the group was welcomed by butlers and maids, making sure that they soldiers are refreshed and seated before the Duke arrived.
Perriman was an older gentleman, pushing 50 by the looks of it, grey hair and beard. He had a youthful glow about him however, and his eyes were that of a cunning man. It was evident that he was not the type of noble to just sit and indulge in doing nothing every day.
"Greetings, dear friends. Welcome to my humble home. I hope the trip here was not too much of a hassle." He gave the soldiers a half bow, once he arrived at the bottom of the stairs.
"Thank you for having us." Replied Jeremy, giving an awkward bow back.
Perriman stopped for a moment, looking at the men and then at the door.
"I thought there was supposed to be more of you?"
"Yeah. But we decided to reduce the numbers to the bare minimum, for easier travel and keeping a low profile." Jeremy answered.
The Duke took a step back, looking over the huge Warhound soldier that was Clyde, finding it a bit ironic that they mention keeping a low profile with him being as big as he was.
Clyde and Marcel could smell the fear that gripped the noble, his posh mannerisms could not hide his true feelings. The man was scared stiff, both of them and of unwanted guests, evident by the number of guards placed around doors and windows.
***
The dining hall was set, food and drinks were brought out, the Duke clearly spared no expense on the presentation of hospitality, for the sake of making a good first impression of the invaders. Once done with the preparations, the room was vacated by all the staff, safe for the Duke himself and his best guard, Layla and her cat, and the 3 soldiers.
For an unknown reason, Clyde and Marcel had request the cat be kicked out of the room as well, and not be allowed entry until the dinner was concluded. Layla protested a bit, but eventually caved in, leaving the cat outside in the hallway.
As dinner began, the two Warhounds engrossed themselves in the delicious food in front of them, leaving Jeremy to hold the majority of the conversation with the Duke.
"As you see, I believe we could help one another. You are locked in conflict with the Vatur elves, and I would very much like be rid of their grip on my town as well." Spoke Perriman.
"I see. And in return?" Asked Jeremy, taking a sip of wine from his cup.
"I will allow you to use the portal gate at the center of town to deploy your troops. Isn't that what you are fighting with the elves over?"
"My Lord, I doubt the Queen would allow such an offer." Layla interrupted the noble, a worried look on her face.
It was clear that despite being the one tasked with getting the soldiers to the Dutchy, she was kept in the dark about the deal Perriman had planned to strike with them.
"Silence Layla. Eat your food and let men discuss such issues." He gave her a dirty look before turning his gaze back to Jeremy.
"Queen, eh?" Marcel spoke, still chewing on his food.
"She has no clue you've invited us here."
"She doesn't need to bother herself with everything that goes on in a small town such as this." Perriman responded a bit nervously.
"Last I checked, Vatur kingdom and the Kingdom of her Majesty were on good terms with one another. You are a vassal to the Queen, right? I don't know how the elves would feel when their enemies suddenly start coming out from friendly territory." Jeremy continued.
"Yes, It might start a declaration of war." Marcel added.
"At the very least, it will cause the Queen to send troops or even appear herself, to see what the fuck is going on here, if he gives us the portal gate." Added the other soldier, agreeing with his friend.
"Perhaps. But I am sure we can cross that bridge when we get to it, right?" Asked the Duke, getting more panicked by the minute.
"I like an ambitious man, Perriman." Clyde said, taking a break from destroying the food in front of him to catch his breath.
"It's all over your face. You've probably seen what type of stuff the elves are dealing with and how hard they're being hammered by forces much smaller than their kingdom. You invited us here, hoping that by offering the portal gate to us, you would rid yourself of the ironclad grip that the elves have on your balls."
The tall man laughed, downing a cup of wine and pouring himself another.
"And!" He raised his finger, stopping anyone else before they could say a word.
"You hope that if you ally with us, if... well "If"... WHEN the Queen finally comes here to see what the fuck is going on, we help you get the crown off of her head and on to yours. Am I in the ball park with that assumption?"
Duke Perriman was speechless. He wiped his forehead with a handkerchief, sweating bullets at this point.
"No point in denying it. Yes, those were my hopes, for this conversation."
"HAH! I read you like a book Perriman." Laughed Clyde, the other two soldier also grinning.
Layla sat there, stunned to her core. She thought about just running out, fleeing the manor and rushing to inform the queen. Her eyes darted from door to door, before a metal clang snapped her back to reality.
She looked at the source of the sound. The tallest of the three soldiers had pulled out his revolver and placed it on the table, the barrel pointed at her. Ambassador locked eyes with Clyde, feeling the fear twist her insides.
"You move. I blow a golf ball sized hole in you." The man said, his look not hiding his murderous intent.
"Okay..." She gulped and nodded.
Their cheerful demeanor had her mistaken about their intentions. They were soldiers, but they were also mercenaries. They do not need permission from superiors to agree or disagree on deals, especially in a world that's not their own. Here, they were exempt from laws that they would have to otherwise abide.
"Let's talk about the reality of your plan Duke." Said Jeremy.
"You've seen Outpost one? The one with the big cannon?"
The Duke nodded.
"Alright. Well, the good news is, the town square has just enough room for us to actually bring in what the elves had prevented us from bringing in at Outpost two." He produced his tabled, typing something in it before the device produced a three-dimensional image of a four-legged machine.
"We can fit two, maybe three Spiders, if we squeeze them in the town square. So that's your luck, as it's just what we need. But!" He paused.
The Duke watched with bated breath as the man typed something else on the device, before showing a lay out of Outpost 2, before the High Elf destroyed it.
"The entire setting needs to look a bit like this. Meaning, we need to get engineers here and get generators placed, get them up and running, triangulate the position and establish coordinates of the gate here in relation to the one on the other side."
"Which, all in all, should take us about two weeks, a week at best of we work really, really fast. But think of it as two weeks, just to be on the safe side." Said Clyde.
"That will also raise alarms. You've got eyes Duke, all over your town. Watching you, your people and everything else going on. Elven eyes." Marcel added, pointing behind himself to the window, who's view pointed directly at the town.
"So, the elves will definitely not like something like that. The Dutchy is right on the border with Vatur, if we activate the gate, it will practically be delivering enemy troops to their doorstep. Big retaliation." Jeremy put his tablet away.
"On top of that, her Majesty the Queen, will probably send people come and run a spike through your ass, because the kingdom of Marbella is allies, or at least friends with the Vatur elves." Added Clyde.
"The million-dollar question, baby, is can YOU, keep both sides off our backs until we set the portal gate up? If you can, well whoop tee do! You just might get what you are looking for. But if you can't and shit hits the fan, believe me, we will be the first to high tail it out of this town." The three men laughed.
Perriman rubbed his forehead. The cards were all laid out for him, the risks and rewards. He knew what type of power these humans held, what their weapons did to the Home Tree. With something like that, he could be crowned King of Marbella come spring, even sooner. No longer a petty vasal, bowing his head both to the Queen and the Elves. But if he failed, he'd face the gallows or worse. No! Failing was not an option. He would make sure whatever these invaders needed to succeed is given to them.
"Alright. I see this will not be an easy task. But the benefits to reap from this do not befit an easy task anyways. So, whatever you need, I shall provide." Perriman took a deep breath, steeling himself as he made the decision.
Layla sat in her chair, mortified at the events unfolding right in front of her. She knew Perriman was a man of ambitions, but she never expected him to be treasonous scum too.
"Just make sure to keep as many watchful eyes away from the town square and the rest portal gate. No double, elf informants and the kingdoms informants will eventually catch with of it. But you must do whatever it takes to keep us a few steps ahead of them." Jeremy told the Duke.
The Duke turned to Layla, as the door to the hall opened and guards walked in.
"Throw her in the basement, and make sure she stays there. We cannot risk her informing anyone of this."
"NO! How dare- GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME." Layla protested, as the guards dragged her out of the room.
Duke Perriman nodded at the men sitting across him, as they all looked at each other. As one, they all took a big swig from their wine cups.
"Make the call." Clyde said to Jeremy.
***
"My Lady. We have trouble." A scout said, bursting through the door of the war hall, trying to catch his breath.
Aurelia did not say a word, her face holding a "this better be important" expression.
"What in the name of Gods is so important that you interrupt us?" Princess Claudia hissed.
"The Perriman Dutchy. It closed off the entire town square. No one is allowed to enter or even get close. Duke Perriman seems to have hired a ton of mercenaries and adventurers to keep every vantage point guarded. Our spies cannot even get close enough to see what's going on. He's invited some strange figures earlier to his manor, for business dealings or something." The scout said.
"What are you cooking Perriman?" Lymlok mumbled to himself.
"Also, the dungeon defense squad reports that as of two nights ago, the humans had abandoned the dungeon in its entirety. They just packed up and left. No trace of them. Even their camp above ground is gone." He continued.
Eirlys exchanged a panicked look with the royal siblings.
"The gate at the Dutchy. No way. He wouldn't dare..."
"Send all available scouts to the border, keep an eye on the Iron Tower outpost, keep an eye on the town, keep an eye any movement from the outpost to the Dutchy. And tell every scout and spy in the Dutchy to not stop trying to find out what's going on in there, by any means necessary." Lymlok ordered the scout, as the elf ran back out of the room.
"Seems our allies are not so loyal as we thought." Aurelia spoke, before walking over to the balcony.
"What are you plotting, scum?"