Wiccer’s army trudged through the last of Meric’s Morass. After recovering from the poisonous water and three days of mosquitoes, a jungle of trees, and rocky terrain, they were finally in for smooth sailing. Now only a lone mountain pass stood in their way from a victory at Aric City. Ending this war was closer than ever. So close he could taste it and it tasted like sweet nectar.

Wiccer held his hand over his brow to shield his eyes from the little beams of bright sunlight that broke through the thick canopy of the morass. These wetlands were dark and gloomy, and the little light they had pierced the trees like thousands of shining spears. Had he not been trained as an Anti-Rogue Operative, his senses would still be blunt and unfocused in the dark. Images would just be a smear of shadows. Although the sun was a welcome sight, its glare was too loud for him to readily adjust to it.

A thunderous series of roars and screeches came from the large drakes that had found their way to the mountains. A dozen dragons, the main fleet of Southtail’s SMO, stood in vigilance atop the rocky peaks overlooking the morass, waiting for the main body of the Cypress invasion force to link up with them. They had been ordered to travel far up ahead since dragons could not maneuver through dense tree cover.

“It seems we are missing a few drakes,” muttered Greyblade. “The Estinian patrols must have finally made their move once we headed into the morass.”

Dallin nodded in agreement. “It had to be quite the battle too. An entire side of the mountain has slid into the road.”

Wiccer frowned as the troops came to a sudden halt. Up ahead, the road had indeed been blocked off by a huge wall of rocks and debris.

“We’ll set up camp while the engineers figure out a safe way to bypass this obstacle,” Wiccer told one of his nearby officers.

A runner pushed his way through the ranks and gave a smart salute to Wiccer and bowed to the two kings. “Sir, I bring a report from the vanguard.”

Wiccer tilted his head. “That was quick. What do you have to report, private?”

“Lieutenant Timber and Sergeant No-Hops of the Anti-Rogue Ops and Skyborne Military Ops wish to speak with you, sir!”

Wiccer nodded and dismissed the runner. He waited for the young soldier to leave before addressing the two kings. “Elucard and Mave wish to send us a message. They wouldn’t part with their marksmen unless they had something to relay to us.

“Let’s see what news they bring,” Dallin said.

***

Wiccer watched with concern as Timber and Corso scarfed down the porridge and fresh water that he gave them. They seemed famished and in low spirits, as if they had run through the fires of Dahlemar’s realm and back to make their report.

“Lieutenant, what news do you bring us from your mission?” Wiccer asked the kanis. They were situated back by the edge of the morass, far from prying ears and eyes.

Timber chugged the water skin dry and wiped her mouth before answering him.

“Captain Elucard Freewind has made his way into the city to rescue His Majesty; however, all may be a wash, for we received disturbing information from a captured Estinian mercenary that the king was executed.”

“If Koda was executed, why isn’t Elucard himself telling us that his mission had failed?” Dallin asked with steely eyes.

“He believes the lad was lying, your highness,” said Corso. “Do you have any more of that porridge? It may have been a little overcooked, but after a month living off army rations, anything will taste like a noble's feast.”

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Wiccer poured the rabbit a second helping. “Is the prisoner still alive? I wish to question him myself.”

‘Fraid not,” Corso said between mouthfuls.

“What were the conditions of this interrogation? How threatening was Elucard?” Wiccer asked. He knew the former Black Rabbit had a way of forcing information out of his prisoners. Both Blayvaar and a certain revolutionary leader could attest to the cruel methods of the former Black Rabbit.

“He suffered greatly, sir,” Timber said.

Wiccer looked at Dallin and Greyblade, “It will be difficult to discern if the prisoner was telling the truth or a lie. You can never trust information given through means of torture.” Wiccer stroked his chin. “But considering Elucard’s track record, his instincts haven’t steered us wrong yet.”

Greyblade turned to the two operatives. “You did good, go get some rest. We might be needing you still, so don’t go too far.”

Corso and Timber both bowed and left the three leaders.

Greyblade adjusted his beret. “Let’s meet up with the elven lords to make a final decision with how we handle this shaky information.”

***

Wiccer organized a war council with the seven elven lords and two kings inside Meric’s Morass. Both Timber and Corso perched in the trees with bows drawn, while Malady and Legion crouched in the shadows ready to slay any spies or roving Estinian patrols.

Wiccer leaned against a boulder while each lord discussed the news of Koda’s possible execution.

“My men are carpenters and masons. We build, we don’t fight. They tire of a war that they did not agree with. We wish to cut our losses short and head home,” Lord Levric Songbrook stated.

“Aye, this war has been difficult on us as well. I’ve lost too many of my people to justify saving a foolish king,” Lord Halar Fieldrunner said.

Lady Aster folded her arms and shook her head. “Cowards, the both of you. You two were both appointed lords because of your loyalty to our kingdom! Now when the going gets tough, you get going?” Aster Starvow spat.

“Now, now Aster, they speak for their subjects, not just themselves,” Lady Vala Treadheart said with a calm voice. “Your people are smiths, and the majority of them fought in the Varis War. Surely they wish to go home? Now that Koda has been slain, what keeps us here?”

“We don’t know that for sure, Vala,” argued Lord Brenen Riverflow. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Major Newsun mentioned that his men believe him still alive. They seek to rescue our king as we speak.”

“If you ask me,” interjected Lady Senri Swiftleaf, “we should take Aric City. I know that is what King Dallin and King Greyblade wish to do. Estinia has been a thorn in our side for longer than Long Whisper has been a nation. They do not deserve to wield such power over us!”

Lady Cass Baneberry nodded her head. As the longest standing elven lord she had much sway over the others. Her opinion held that much weight. “I agree with Senri. We are here with the strength of the Cypress Alliance. I say we stand with Varis and Southtail as they have done with us in the past.”

Wiccer offered his advice. “Whether the king has been executed does not change the fact that the Estinians have become bold and overstepped the treaty. New Estinia must be dealt with before their motherland gains the courage to strike Varis and Southtail once more!”

Dallin and Greyblade grinned at each other.

“What say you Levric? Halar?” asked Cass. “Your forces are still needed for our victory. You and your people will be hailed as heroes for your undying bravery. Think of the stories your people could tell their grandchildren!”

Levric gripped his rapier and shook his head. “I am not convinced. This is a pointless war to rescue a king that has let his people down time and time again. He did not heed the word of the council, now I think he should suf—”

“Suffer?” Cass said in a voice stern enough to stop a man’s heartbeat. “What makes you think he has not suffered enough? Koda is a gentle soul and has paid for his naivety. The Div’Rah has kept him prisoner for well over a month now! What horrors do you imagine he has been subjected to?”

“I—” started Levric.

“How much longer does he need to stay a prisoner at the hands of his enemy for you to see his safe return?”

Levric lowered his head in shame. “You are right, Lady Baneberry. You will have the support of the Songbrook.”

Cass turned to Halar. “And you?”

“You have the Fieldrunners. Although, I still think Koda rushed us into a needless war,” Halar added.

Greyblade clapped his hands together and looked at Wiccer. “Well then Major, are you ready to lead us into battle for one final time?”

“Always,” Wiccer said.