I saw the battlefield and felt fear. This entity can possess you without asking for permission and dominates your senses and actions. It is a cruel entity that puts the soldier at the mercy of sword blows and crossbow shots. I took an arrow to the knee myself, and, after that, I couldn't fight anymore. It was not my fault. It was fear’s fault. It was the influence of the entities, to which we cannot resist.
Former soldier of the independent kingdoms of the East, wounded during the battle of the Great Lords
*
One of the rooms in the castle of Fiandel has its security guaranteed by three royal guards, chosen by the commander of the capital's secret service. The room had been like this for hours, purposely postponing the meeting and dispersing the presence of any curious person with the objective of hiding the identity of those who will soon meet at the place.
Inside the room is a foreigner, who comfortably observes the table, chairs, floor, window and the way the whole environment is carefully organized. As far as she could ascertain, they were giving her with the same respect directed at a high-ranking nobleman.
"That elf seems to have a much higher position than she let me think on in the Forest." The foreigner concludes, looking at the furniture and paintings scattered in frames made of silver and gold, ostensibly displayed on the walls. Even the table where she is sitting seems to be of high quality. Although she saw a meeting room in her vision inside the Great Forest, she could not recognize any items, since everything was blurry or very difficult to see in her vision.
However, it seemed undeniable that she was close to the moment she had predicted some time ago.
Nafaester had to travel for several days to reach Fiandel. After leaving her brother alone in the Red Desert, she had time to think about the new “plan”, and a constant wave of doubts and fears had hit her throughout the trip.
However, since she arrived in the capital, it had become clear that the bet placed on Rinlia's position paid off.
After all, once she mentioned Rinlia’s name, the attention and care of the city guards had doubled. Initially, they did not even want to allow a stranger - since she had not identified herself as the Oracle - to meet the elf. However, after Rinlia came to the walls and recognized her, the treatment changed permanently.
-I got here. - She murmurs, holding the tremor in her hands. - I need to make the offer... The greater the sacrifice, the greater the reward.
Not only had she been received at the castle, she had also been assigned a room and servants until they could hold a private meeting. All of these arrangements would be enough to justify the vision that Nafaester had in the Great Forest, however, it was only when she discovered who she would be meeting with that she understood the real power possessed by the elf.
After all, Nafaester hoped to have several meetings and argue with several generals before she could finally meet King Njalmar. That would be the usual road to travel, had she made a deal with someone with a smaller position.
This, however, was not the case.
Instead of a tortuous path, the agreement she made in the Forest ended up revealing a wide passage, through which she could calmly transit to the next important checkpoint.
A point that is reached when the doors open, giving way to the image of Rinlia, the wizard Armenvald, Prince Connor and, finally, King Njalmar.
*
It was not a habit for Njalmar to wear his crown at unofficial occasions. The sensation of imposing the title of king on the interlocutor did not please him, since such an attitude used to guarantee answers devoid of its real intentions.
As a king, after so many years, the idea of appearing friendly and approachable seemed much better. Sometimes, despite the lack of respect received for such an attitude, this was the simplest way to understand what those who came to him really wanted.
This meeting, however, was an exception. There was no need to show humility towards Nafaester. Not if she came to him with the request he had in mind.
Furthermore, he needed the artifice of the crown to demonstrate his real status in the presence of the nymph, since, unlike her, Njalmar sometimes seemed more like a warrior than a king. The long years of battle and reign sometimes made him look tired, although his age was not advanced. And the experience gave his look the austerity normally attributed to elders. Despite that, his physical strength was still evident.
Nafaester, on the other hand, was the image of royalty. Before coming to the castle, she chose clothes of rich fabrics and a dress designed for royalty, decorated with shiny crystals, but still practical enough that she could move around at will. Although elegant, the suit did not have excessive layers of fabric. The lace and folds of yellowish fabric served to highlight her tanned skin and draw the contours of her athletic body. In the same way, her manners, the way she spoke and habits such as running her fingers over her lips or cheekbones gave the nymph full control over the way others viewed her.
-I believe this is the first time that a member of the Council of the Forest has come to my castle. - Njalmar sits at the head of the table, facing the nymph with a half-smile on his face. - Are the accommodations pleasant enough for someone who has such a different way of living?
-The accommodations are excellent. - The nymph’s eyes shine. She feels that the verbal game that usually takes place between influential members of society has begun. This was one of her favorite games. - But it is very kind of you to take me as a member of the Council. Didn't Rinlia tell you that I am no longer placed in the upper echelons of my kingdom?
-We both know that things don't work like that, don't we? As long as you are alive, the power that your name carries and the influence it wielded will still exist. This is something that exile or accusations cannot make it disappear in such a short time.
The nymph waves, taking advantage of the pause to analyze the faces of the other members present at the meeting. Few individuals were there, but the rank of each was known for its magnitude. Except for Rinlia, whose position she was unaware of.
-As for the way of living, I would say it is just a different make up covering its faces. - Nafaester says, fixating her eyes on the king. - The desires are still the same.
-The desires?
-Yes. My people still value the comfort of good accommodations, the taste of good food and the pleasure of good company. - She smiles suggestively. - We only do it in a different way, surrounded by rituals and performed in ways that are pleasing to us. The means are different, but the ends are the same.
Njalmar takes a few seconds, trying to decipher the intentions of the statement made by the nymph. His reasoning, however, has difficulties in finding continuity, because Nafaester’s image distracts him.
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Determined to maintain his composure, he merely nods in a brief and reflexive gesture before taking back the reins of the meeting.
-I was informed that you came to my kingdom with a proposal. You earned the right of having this reunion after helping my subordinates in a risky situation. - He waves in the direction where the elf is. - I would have let someone else take care of the situation if I didn't know who was coming to me and if I hadn't been informed of your intentions.
-So, you intend to help me? - Despite the question, she doesn't look anxious. The way she speaks, Nafaester doesn't seem to ask for a favor, but to consider if she wants the monarch's help.
-I'm still not sure. I came here because the words that came to me were enough to arouse my curiosity.
-Well then, let me tell you the details. - She extends her hand on the table and waits for the king's permission, which allows her to continue. – You already know that I am the Second Oracle of the Great Forest. My powers were attested by Nida, the current leader of the kingdom. Even foreigners know that the line of succession in the Great Forest is decided by the tradition that dictates that the one chosen by Destiny as Oracle will occupy the position of leader at the Council table. This knowledge is already public, isn't it?
-Some scholars suggest such thing. - Armenvald, as the scholastic at the table, agrees. - This was a tradition instituted by the mother-nymph herself. A way to legitimize her power in the belief about “Destiny”, which is strong among the members of the Forest Council.
-These rules are not absolute because, so far, no one has really succeeded Nida. So far, they are only guidelines. However, it is enough to give me a claim to the throne.
Connor's features change, affected by surprise. He pulls himself together, realizing that the others were doing the same.
-And what do you intend to do with such claim? - Njalmar calmly asks.
-I intend to remove the current nymph from the throne. I have enough support in the Forest Council for my reign to be considered legitimate until the situation calms down after a confrontation, but, for that, I need to defeat her first.
-Are you proposing to start a war?
-Not only a war, but an alliance too. - She leans forward. - No one has ever managed to form an alliance with the Great Forest. You know that my right to the throne is legitimate and this may be the only time such an offer is placed in front of you.
-I'm not so sure about that. - Njalmar raises his eyebrows. - After all, your right would only be exercised after the death or resignation of the current Oracle. As it is, you are not even a citizen of the Great Forest.
-I wasn't so careless. - She shakes her head. – Right now, two versions of the same story are being told to the members of the Council and the tribes of the forest: The first version says that I stole the crown and fled the Glade. The second version is that Nida, fearing my power and my right to the crown, tried to kill me and I used my power and the jewels to get away with my brother.
-Which version is true?
She shrugs.
-It doesn’t matter. With the injuries my brother and I have suffered over the years and during our journey after leaving the Glade, it would be impossible to tell what happened. Everyone can support what they want to be the truth.
-And are there adepts of the version that favors you?
The nymph's gaze changes. The ambitious glow, for an instant, is replaced by the shadow of memories.
-Nida has chosen to favor the future seen in her visions on many controversial occasions. My brother and I survived one of the massacres allowed by her vision of the future and that happened to many others. Her fame, although legendary, also carries the weight of disastrous decisions.
-But always justified by Destiny, right?
-Destiny is not the protective entity of the Forest, Njalmar. Nature is. And Nature knows the value of the Destiny cycle, but it also fights for the preservation of life. Death should be the last option. - She makes a gesture, as if she pushed away the memories. - And this is for those who believe in the entities. Those who do not believe in them see the Oracle's acts as tragedies generated by an empty belief.
She gives her interlocutors a few moments of silence to consider her words. After a few seconds, she spoke again.
-Can you understand the situation? Despite the outward appearance, the Great Forest no longer has a unanimous command like the one Nida once held in the past. I represent my people's desire for change and I made a point of constructing that image while I was on the council. I have internal supporters who, disillusioned with Nida, are waiting for a sign to follow me. And, now, there is a narrative that places me as a victim of an assassination attempt.
-And you want to use my armies as a weapon to attack the Glade.
-I intend to use my own army too, of course. - She relishes the surprised expression on Rinlia's face. - I gathered my forces near the triple border between Fiandel, the Great Forest and the Red Desert. During the past few years, I have brought together all the Orc tribes that have been scattered across the Desert since they were exiled from the Great Forest.
-Do you intend to give citizenship back to them?
-I do. They were not exiled by me, but by a decision made by the Oracle. Their numbers are large enough for a surprise attack.
-Surprise attack? Against the Oracle? - Connor doubts.
-With the second Oracle on our side, it may be possible. - Njalmar puts his hand under his chin, considering the proposal. – So, you have a claim to the throne, a narrative that we can force on citizens and some military force... How many orcs are we talking about, exactly?
The monarch's interest makes the nymph's heart race. She tightens her fist over her knee, under the table, in an attempt to contain the enthusiasm that wants to appear in her voice.
-Something between four and five thousand, counting orcs, half-orcs and other small nomadic communities.
-It's a big number, isn't it? - Armenvald's features show some disbelief.
-If we make an alliance, I am willing to show my army to you. There were many tribes hidden near the Barrier of Truth in the middle of the Red Desert. There were also many orcs working as mercenaries in neighboring kingdoms. When the news spread that they could join me, the numbers grew naturally.
-I assume that their general asked for something big in return. - Njalmar conjectures.
-They want two seats on the Council: One for the General and one for the strategist leader. I will tell you their names in the future, if all goes well.
-Five thousand... - Njalmar barely heard the words that the nymph said. His mind was too occupied doing calculations and awakening old dreams. - Still, we're talking about Nida. And, from what Rinlia told me, she is in possession of the jewels.
-That's why it would have to be a short-lived war. - The nymph straightens up in her chair. - We cannot afford a prolonged war, because the forest people will use the land to their advantage and we will have problems. However, if we launch a frontal offensive along the route I prepared, we can invade the Forest in a few weeks and take the Glade by storm. From there, consolidating power is a possible task.
-A frontal attack large enough to penetrate the forces of the forest, even from the best possible point and by the shortest route, would require a colossal effort by Fiandel. - Njalmar gestures to Armenvald. - An alliance like the one she proposes would require blood, sweat and sacrifice from our people, wouldn't it?
-Yes, it would. - Armenvald smiles. - It's something that would hurt the people of Fiandel. Therefore, the Great Forest sacrifice would have to be equivalent, justifying such an alliance.
Their eyes turn to Nafaester. The nymph faces the king.
-I heard news in the vicinity of the capital about the marriage between the Crown Prince and the vampire named Yvanna. Can I assume that they are not just rumors?
The king wastes no time trying to hide the answer.
-Yes.
-Can I assume that the rumor saying that Prince Connor will assume the crown in the near future after the wedding is also true?
-What is the point of these questions? - The king does not want to give a direct answer.
-In exchange for Fiandel's help, I intend to sign, in advance, trade agreements with your kingdom, Njalmar. Rare materials, which have always been sold equally to all kingdoms, will be provided, preferably, to Fiandel, for a period of 20 years.
She sighs for a moment, gathering the courage to continue.
-In addition, I will sign a decree allowing the passage of citizens of Fiandel by a safe route through the Great Forest. This route will be used by merchants and soldiers, allowing for a strategic advantage that has never existed in history.
Her gaze meets Njalmar's.
-And, as I said before, my intention is to propose an alliance between my people and yours. An alliance that will be more than a mere military agreement. Something the Great Forest has never shown interest in in the past. If Fiandel declares full support for me and my claim to the throne, I do not intend to keep things as they were in the past.
-What do you mean?
-I'm saying that if I you make me Queen, there will be room for a king. To demonstrate my interest in maintaining lasting cooperation between our people, I am willing to propose marriage to the king of Fiandel as soon as he abdicates the crown in favor of his son.
Njalmar's eyes open, startled.
-What do you say, Njalmar? - Nafaester smiles, containing the trembling of her hands under the table. – Do you want to become the king of the Great Forest?
*
*