On the surface, all of the preparations Kazius had done were respectful. If anything, the place they set up for their meeting was closer to disadvantageous for them. They had some special seats and a table prepared by Vargstam’s carpenters.
There was a massive, high table made so Frost Giants could sit comfortably. There were even seats made for Reimdir and Isolf.
As for Kazius, Azanor, and Egil, they had seats made to put them at eye level with their much larger guests. There were ladders built to the side of their seats that they could climb to reach the top. There were even mugs constructed to accommodate their guests.
Reimdir seemed to scan the preparations, his face not changing at the accommodations, but he did voice his approval.
“Despite the circumstances, you took the time to prepare to host us in quite a friendly manner. I hope that shows your ability and intention to be lenient and move forward with friendly relations.” Reimdir stated, his voice firm and confident even now. He refused to lose his authority in his tone.
Kazius was unhappy with Reimdir’s insistence on moving on. Yes, to some extent Luna, one of their own, was partially responsible for what happened. Isolf was as equally responsible though… And despite the massive disparity in casualties, Kazius did not intend to let things go. Isolf was responsible for listening to Luna and he would pay the price for it.
“I am glad to hear you like our show of good faith… Though let’s not talk about any outcomes from our negotiation before it concludes, alright?” Kazius responded with a warm smile before looking at Egil. He was the only one who did not understand the language of the Frost Giant out of the trio.
“He is happy with our preparations, but it seems he believes our show of good faith means that we will not hold them responsible. I think he wants to blame us for what happened.” Kazius translated, telling a half-truth at best, he was translating in bad faith since he knew no one would be able to correct him.
Of course, as intended, Egil looked agitated, his teeth gritted, but he restrained himself. He had already been glaring at the Frost Giants from the beginning due to the sort of things they had put into his head… And now he was only growing more and more agitated. His hostility was clear, even if he did not speak the same language as the Frost Giants.
“I suppose so, for starters, I can see your guard has a lot of hostility towards us… I hope that does not mean you don’t intend to negotiate… We may have wronged you, but your people are not innocent either. Perhaps we wasted our time by coming here.” Reimdir continued as he noticed Egil’s intensifying anger.
“Forgive him, he was friends with the scouts that were killed. We just had their funeral yesterday.” Azanor interjected, his expression was largely directed at Isolf.
This was of course to put pressure on the more naïve and younger Prince. It seemed to work considering the whole time, Isolf looked like he wanted to disappear.
“At least you had the chance to bury the dead! I saw them… What you did… On the way here… Their bodies are in no state to be returned home. Has there not already been enough honorless slaughter? You keep evading responsibility on your end. It was one of your own that tricked my son. He may have made a mistake, but this whole thing started as an internal feud of your people that spilled over out of your control! We should both just admit to being at fault and declare a truce. We paid the price already in blood! I came here for peace!” Reimdir questioned, his icy eyes filling with indignation. Despite his icy nature, there was a righteous fury in his eyes. His voice was booming, intimidating even.
Kazius did not flinch even a little, his dispassionate gaze clashing with Reimdir’s outraged expression.
“Must I remind you that your son is the next King of your people and that he personally led this charge due to the words of a woman he barely knew? We are here because of your actions, not our own. One citizen is bound to attempt a crime… But you allowed her into your home and then your son listened to her lies. Then he took your army, with your blessing I assume. He is a Prince, not the King, I doubt he could have just left without a word to you… And if he did, that just reflects even more poorly on him and you. So, tell me… What is worse… The actions of a random citizen or the actions of a ruler? What will your people do when Isolf becomes King at this rate?” Kazius stated firmly, not pulling any punches with his words as his red eyes seemed to almost look down at the Frost Giant, like he was no better than a bug.
The tension in the air was so thick that you could practically cut it.
Neither ruler faltered as they glared at each other. Reimdir’s patience was at the brink.
“What is he saying?” Egil asked in concern. His impertinence really had no end. After all, in the end, his role today was supposed to be as a guard, yet to ask your ruler to translate was the type of attitude that had led to all of this.
“He says that we owe him an apology. That peace was not an option to begin with. That we should bow to him and beg for his forgiveness… And then perhaps he will tell us what he did to our Goddess. I think he believes that we are helpless without her protection.” Kazius lied without even looking away from Reimdir or changing his expression.
As the words left his mouth, Kazius could hear the giddiness in The Shadow’s whispers. They approved of what he was doing in every way, for better or worse.
As the last piece was placed, Egil did not contain his outrage.
“WHAT?! HOW…. HOW DARE THEY! THERE… THERE WILL NOT BE PEACE WITH THE ENEMIES OF VIND! They will pay… THEY WILL PAY!” Egil growled out, slamming his hands onto the table, and baring his sharp canines at the Frost Giants. He was seething, out of control. His words were insolent, and it was clear that despite his apologies, he truly could not be kept around. Kazius was Chief, yet he acted like he had the authority to dictate whether there would be a peaceful resolution or not.
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Unable to restrain his rage, Egil attacked the closest out of the Frost Giants, Isolf. He was at a level that his lunge was at an ideal height, even against someone so much bigger than him. After shifting into his Werewolf form, he attacked with the intent to slice Isolf’s throat.
Isolf never even had that chance to notice any of it, too absorbed in his mental distress at the accusations Kazius had thrown his way.
Egil never got the chance to his Isolf though. Instead of making contact with Isolf’s throat, his claws made contact with Reimdir. The older Frost Giant had thrown himself in the way, shielding his son… But… In doing so, he had no chance to guard himself properly. So, while Egil had hit the wrong neck… A seasoned warrior like him did not miss against such a large target, especially while he was in such a bloodthirsty state at such a close distance. So, upon the change, he aimed to inflict maximum damage on Reimdir instead.
It all happened so fast… And by the time Isolf snapped out of his own self-pity…. His father was letting out gargled words with blood pouring out his neck and mouth.
Isolf’s face quickly contorted in horror and shock, an almost primal distressed sound left his lips.
“FATHER!” Isolf screamed in terror, rushing to Reimdir’s side.
“Restrain him!” Kazius exclaimed, purposefully saying it in a language Isolf could understand.
Of course, that was not the language he spoke to The Shadows with, it was all for show. Right now, he was acting out the elaborate play Azanor had concocted.
Still, The Shadows did as told. They grabbed Egil and held him down. They went as far as to cover his mouth. There was no need for him to open his mouth anymore, he had already done his role. It was clear by Egil’s reaction that he was horrified by the sudden restraining.
“I’m so sorry, Isolf. I should have realized that he had lost all reason with all the deaths that happened. This is unacceptable… Don’t worry. I will have Azanor get help. Your father will be fine. Quickly, put pressure on his wound!” Kazius assured, getting on top of the table to ‘help’ Isolf.
As he did this, he waved Azanor off. He had to go get help… Though he would take the long way back into town.
“This… This is all my fault… If I had not… I… I-I’m so sorry… Father… Please…” Isolf sobbed out, heartbroken and scared. He put pressure on the wound, but the blood would simply refuse to stop. His father’s blood continued to flow, soaking his hands much to Isolf’s terror.
“It is okay, Isolf… I should have kept a better hold on Egil… This… This situation… It had escalated out of hand, hasn’t it… At this rate... So much more blood will be spilled… From your people and mine. I don’t want a war, Isolf. I know you don’t want to either… But we both have a lot to make up for. We have to stop this.” Kazius admitted. The first half was of course a lie, though Kazius did feel a bit guilty at the sight of Isolf’s distress. Still, the naïve Prince had brought this upon himself by launching an attack against Vargstam… However, that did not mean the manipulation Kazius was doing was ethical either…
“B-But… But how? I have no idea how to fix this… What am I even supposed to do? A-At this rate…” Isolf trailed off in dismay.
Before Kazius could answer Isolf though, Reimdir began to reach out for his son. The wound was just too severe. While his death was not immediate due to the resilience of Frost Giants, a wound to the neck that severe was just not something that could be survived.
So just as quickly as Remdir reached for Isolf’s hand, his grip only remained firm for a second before growing limp.
Isolf began to scream again, attempting to shake his father awake. He pleaded, and begged, but nothing happened. The blood on his hands made him tremble. He had been a naïve young man eager for father just a week ago… And now… He was beginning to realize the horrors of war. There had been no honor in any of this. None of their souls would be saved.
“I brought help!” Azanor exclaimed, an exhausted Caleb panting not far behind. He was out of breath. Clearly, he was not used to running around.
“I’m sorry… It is too late… Egil… He has betrayed Vargstam… These were supposed to be peace talks… And he killed the King of the people we were negotiating with… You have to spread the news…I understand his outrage… But to do something like this… His actions can’t be forgiven… He went against the wishes of his Chief and acted on his own. The only acceptable punishment is death.” Kazius stated with a genuine sigh. It really was a shame, but this was necessary. With his actions, Egil had done his role and placed the noose around his own neck. Now Kazius had justification to get rid of him… As Alice had wished.
“That… That is awful…” Caleb stated in horror. He had no idea about the truth of what was happening. It was better that way.
Isolf was crying, looking at his hand in horror. He was a broken man.
“Isolf… I am sorry for your loss… This really has gone too far… Egil… he acted against Vargstam’s wishes… We will sentence him to death for his actions… But… If your wish to save your people… Will you listen to what I have to say? For the sake of both of our people.” Kazius told Isolf, his expression of sorrow was genuine.
Kazius was not happy he had to do this to Isolf. Still, he had his reasons… It was for the greater good…
‘This… This was fine. It was necessary.’ Kazius attempted to assure himself.
“What… What is it?” Isolf questioned, his voice trembling with grief.
“Do you believe you have what it takes to be King?” Kazius asked.
“No…” Isolf admitted in dismay, blaming himself for everything. There was no fight left in him.
“Then give me the throne. I want both of our people to prosper. We live too close… Conflict is bound to happen… So, we have to unite… Unless we want more death on our hands.” Kazius stated, gesturing to Reimdir with his hand and then at Isolf’s blood-covered hands. It was not a kind way of addressing things, but this all truly started because Isolf listened to Luna.
Isolf looked incredibly distraught. He was aware he would not make a good king. He was terrified of what Kazius and his friends had done to their army… There was really only one choice left.
“Yes… I think you’re right… Please… Please help me…”