The Subterranena ambassador continued his reply to my offer. I was focused on him as I tried to anticipate the thoughts that lay beneath his words.

  It was a very elven attitude, and one I would have been proud of had I thought it through in the moment.

  “The Aquatic Elves live their lives, from our perspective, filled with creativity, irreverence, and a carefree if not frivolous lifestyle. Wood Elves are individualists, self-centered, and live their lives, once more from our perspective, filled with games, innuendos, and mystery. Humans appear to us much like our children, sometimes innocent, sometimes self-destructive, and otherwise flawed and incomplete. Dwarf kind, while we refuse to admit it publicly, are more like us with their collective lifestyle except for their avarice for precious stones and metals.”

  Lord Sanether paused.

  Based on body language, the Commander was not pleased with the ambassador’s assessment of Wood Elves, but he remained silent. Ambassador Allitorn, despite his Elven youth, smirked even more broadly at the assessment of his people.

  I asked, “And what of your own? How do you see yourselves, ambassador?”

  He nodded and said, “We see ourselves as stoic, self-sacrificing, obsessive, and bound by a code of honor and vengeance unrivaled in the realms.” He looked me in the eyes. “I accept your offer at face value and as the greatest of the gifts. But before I make a decision, it is important that you understand something very important about my people.”

  He leaned forward. “There is a very thin and fragile line between friendship and enmity in our world. Loyalty to friends is deep and passionate. Betrayal and enmity are dealt with swiftly and violently. I, myself, have very few friends and none that live who once were friends that became enemies.”

  He let his words hang out there for a moment before he said, “I wanted you to understand this and permit you to retract your offer without fear of consequence or ill will. We are a proud people who live in a world filled with treachery and fear of treachery. It is who we are.”

  Lord Sanether sat back in his volcanic carved chair, not breaking eye contact with me but giving me time and space to respond.

  I took the long minute he had used to compose his words before responding to me. Elves liked symmetry, and I needed those moments to think through my offer and his threatening words.

  I broke eye contact with him and glanced at the Aquatic ambassador, who winked at me cheekily. I turned to the Commander, who ever so slightly shook his head, as if to say no.

  Leaning forward, I folded my hands before me and once more looked deeply into the Subterranean Elf’s lavender colored eyes. “I was, of course, unaware of the depths of these matters in your culture, Lord Sanether. And I appreciate your clarity and offer to retract my words without loss of my honor or consequence.”

  The older elf remained stone-faced.

  “I would like to think that I live a life, imperfectly, I’m sure, centered on honor and integrity. It was how I was raised and what I believe is important. I would, however, be willing to sacrifice my personal honor and standing for innocents or for friendship if I believed the cause to be just.”

  For a brief moment, a smile flashed in the elf’s eyes. “You remind me of my son. He has distanced himself from many of our people’s ways, and yet holds true to our principles. He, too, carries a sword not unlike your own.”

  I absorbed his words and their implication. I stated, “I was unprepared for the depths of passion of your people, the intensity of friend or foe, and may not have thought through the consequences of my offer.”

  The smirk returned to the Aquatic Ambassador's mouth, poorly hidden with ridicule in his eyes. Whether it was for me, the older ambassador, or both, I did not know.

  “That all being said,” I continued, “I see the risks of your vengeance outweighed by the rewards of your friendship. I do not retract my offer of mutual friendship. However,” and here I paused again, “I will not hold your denial as a personal affront, stain on your or my own honor, and I respectfully defer to your own thoughts and wisdom in this matter. But I will not retract the offer.”

  Lord Sanether stared at me hard for another few moments, stood slowly, and extended his hand. “Then I accept your offer of mutual friendship, Gwydion.”

  Don’t break eye contact with him! Bella urged.

  I stood and we clasped arms without taking our eyes off each other. We held the clasp for a moment longer, and then he grinned widely. “Done!” He exclaimed and sat back down. His stoic appearance was back in place once more.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  The AL whispered into my ear. Enchanter Gwydion earns a friend in Lord Ambassador Elion Sanether. You earn improved favor with Subterranean Elf merchants and authorities. Subterranean prestige changes from level zero Average to level three Fine. Additions and notes have been added to your Book of Quests that remain unread.

  I smiled in return and glanced over at the commander, who was carefully neutral, and at the Aquatic ambassador, who displayed, but only briefly, a strong emotion of anger and resentment before flashing a smile of his own.

  I would not forget that look.

  If I had made a prediction, I would have guessed that neither of the ambassadors would have taken up my offer, or they both would have done so in some shallow and patronizing manner. But if one had accepted it genuinely, I would have thought it would be the younger and more progressive Aquatic Elf ambassador. I would not have guessed that the Subterranean ambassador would have accepted it so heartfelt, or that he would reveal to me that he had a son who was a paladin.

  I sat back down.

  “Thank you both for your patience and generous acceptance of my gifts. And now, I would like to move to the purpose of this meeting.”

  The Aquatic Elf once more smirked, and I realized that he thought that my offer was a shallow bid to curry favor for what came next. The thought left me with a less-than-warm feeling for him.

  Whatever thoughts went through Lord Sanether’s mind, he merely sat back and said, “I admit to more than casual curiosity in that regard, Seneschal.”

  I settled into my chair. “As allies, I wanted to give you both an update, as best as I understand it, as to the disposition of the dwarves; specifically, the increased attacks on the Eastern Gate in the Pass of Blades; the humans undead deathlight and shadow corpse invasion, goblin incursion, and notable assassination in Keelwell; and the wood elves regarding the battlefront across the Northern Weald and coastline, and the recent assassination attempt and murders by Slayers here in Elvendell.”

  The ambassadors looked at me for a moment and blinked. Apparently, they expected something different from me.

  I looked over at Commander Ilthuryn. “Commander, please begin the military update.

  “Yes, Seneschal.” He replied.

  For the next half hour, we provided an update on the attacks against the dwarves, humans, and wood elves. We did not discuss secret plans, but were otherwise very open about everything that had happened, as well as the linkages across infernal, shadow, necromancy, and the evil races.

  They asked probing questions throughout the briefing. Some of their questions we were able to provide succinct answers to, some we offered speculation, and others we simply did not know ourselves.

  At the end of the briefing, which brought us up to date on recent events, I stood up from my chair.

  “Thank you both for your questions. I apologize that I do not have more time to discuss further details, address strategies, or speculations. But after you report back to your kings, I am sure the Commander would be willing to convene a war council among our three people.”

  Neither of the ambassadors moved to stand. They looked at each other, and the Aquatic elf was first to speak. “Do you not have requests or demands you wish to present to us?”

  My brow furrowed, and I slowly sat back down. “What do you mean?” I asked him.

  “I think what my esteemed colleague means is that surely, you have requests to make of us around aid or soldiers or something approaching your requests of the dwarven king or wood elf king.” Lord Sanether explained.

  I looked at them both. “Ambassadors, we are allies. Imperfect and reluctant allies at times, I am sure, but we have history. And more importantly, we live. The enemies we face do not know life as we understand it. True, they have puppets among the evil mortal races, but our enemies are infernal. They are Shadow. And they are the corrupt, the anti-life. You and your kings know this. You have your own counsels, magic, fortellings, and faiths.”

  I sighed deeply, trying to find words to convey my intentions. “I do not doubt that you face the same ends as we surface dwellers. The question is not if evil will come for you. I am certain the enemy is already among you. The question is when you choose to face them. Your kings will join with us now so that we face these burdens together, or you will face them alone and without allies in the near future when all is gone save your own small realms. Eight surface human kingdoms have fallen with untold death and losses among all three elven people across the ages. With the last mortal foothold struggling to hold on, the dwarves must quickly follow, and the Mer, Aquatic Elves, and Subterranean Elves are sure to follow.

  “I do not ask for specific aid because your kings must decide what they can provide. If called, I will go before your kings and plead this case. But I pray that the wise and powerful among your people will already know this and act. They must act together or they will die alone. In this war, there is no negotiation. There is no prospect of peace and mercy. There is only survival.”

  I slowly stood and said, “Gentlemen, please share what you have learned. I await your king’s decisions.”

  The Commander, who had been standing behind me and to my side as counselor and defender, must have given some silent signal because the main door opened and my guard entered.

  The Commander stated simply, “These guards will see you to the assembly hall, where your own guards will escort you back to your embassies. These guards will accompany you to ensure safety but will return upon reaching your sovereign doors.”

  The ambassadors stood. I could not tell if my words moved them. They had time to compose themselves, and their thoughts were hidden.

  Ambassador Hubyr Allitorn bowed to me, his blue garments once more swaying as he moved. He exited without any further word.

  Ambassador Elion Sanether paused, walked slowly to me with a nod to the Commander, and offered me his arm. “I will convey your words, my friend. I, too, pray they will be received well.” And he exited quickly and without another word as well.

  The Commander waited for them to clear the outer hallway before he motioned for the guards to close the door. I was told that when the room’s doors were closed, magical protections prevented scrying or observations through other magical means.

  Because of the magical enchantments made, Bella was still able to communicate with me here as she could, likewise, in my homestead.

  The old soldier turned to me and said, “I know I was a reluctant supporter of this meeting, but I feel in my heart that if any good could come from those two men, it will come out of this meeting.”

  I nodded slowly. “I am not as confident, Commander. But I have a good feeling about our Subterranean cousin.”

  “And what of the other?” He asked carefully.

  “I do not have a good feeling about that one. There is something about him. Something not quite right.”

  He stared at me for a moment and then said, “I agree.” He smiled. “But then, I don’t really care for the other one, either.”

  Captain Leomys had returned with the other guards as the ambassadors were departing. He asked, “Shall we remove the decorations and set up for your next meeting, Seneschal?”

  “Yes, Captain, let’s do that. Commander, please call me when our next guests arrive. I want to do a little more reading between sessions. I have a lot to catch up on.”

  I went into my inner study and, given my extra spell and skill points, I pulled out one of my spell books and put some time into studies.