5.35 - High Commander

5.35 - High Commander

The bells ceased their clattering. An alliance-wide message popped into everyones vision. Gaels calming words listed a series of protocols that needed to be followed as the fleet from Tarantham approached. Despite his words of warning, each rail gun that could gain line-of-sight was trained on the ships bobbing in the distance. Theo rushed to the piers outside of the harbor, dashing up the steps to meet with the leader of House Wavecrest.

They were faster than I expected, Gael said, nodding to the bay.

Ten ships rested in the bay, swaying with the motion of the waves. Each was far more impressive than anything Broken Tusk had produced. Each displayed deck cannons that looked suspiciously like Throks guns. Theo took in a sharp breath, calming himself and stifling an urge to act. Gaels instructions were simple. The ships would anchor and send a smaller ship to negotiate.

Are you sure about this? Theo asked.

Im certain, Gael said with a nod. As a sign of respect, they will dock out here. Well perform the negotiations right down there.

Despite the elfs calming words, the adventuring army was out in force. Theo watched the map of the town fill with tactical orders, lining everyone up for a counter-assault if that were to come. Even the newly minted fighters from Rivers and Daub were taking part. All the alchemist could do was watch and wait. It took a while for the fleet to launch a smaller craft. When they did, it zipped across the harbor, propelled by some unseen magic.

Theo and Gael descended the steps, standing out on the pier to greet the representatives. Only two figures stood aboard the rowboat. The first was a man who reminded the alchemist too much of Fenian. He wore a black cuirass over an ornate padded gambeson. Matching black cuisses guarded his thighs while engraved greaves and sabatons protected his shins and feet. With a matching black full-visored black helmet tucked under his arm, he jumped from the boat, to the pier and bowed. The woman accompanying him remained in the boat, wearing less impressive robes but brimming with magical potential.

Greetings, Archduke Theo Spencer. Lord Administrator Gaeleithia Wavecrest.

Gael bowed at the waist, and Theo followed suit. A pleasure, the elf said, eyes glued to the pier below.

After both parties had risen to their full height, the armored elf continued. I am High Commander Elmonteir Northwind. Serving as Mouth of the Emperor for this encounter.

The elf flicked a gauntleted hand through his hair, sending the perfectly groomed strands of raven black over his shoulder. Elves really had a flair for the dramatic.

In this capacity, I serve as the Mouth of the Alliance, Gael said, bowing slightly.

Elmon smiled, holding his arms open as though he was expected a hug. Theos brows knit together when Gael opened his arms, hugging the man as though they were family.

I didnt think youd get out, Elmon said, nodding to Theo. Im guessing this one had something to do with it.

Among others, Gael said, breaking off from the hug.

I never approved of the purging of House Wavecrest. Elmon shook his head, his face darkening. The fleet hasnt been the same since.

Gael responded in the Tarantham tongue. Theos knowledge of the language wasnt enough to understand the idiom, but Elmon laughed in response. He noticed the confusion on the alchemists face. It means that the past is behind us. Youre lucky to have him, archduke. Many wars have been started because outsiders dont understand our ways.

Theo composed himself. It was easy to remember back to a time when he had to bite his tongue to save his skin. This was no different. He could poke the bear of Tarantham now, but his people would suffer. They couldnt hold their own against the empire. Instead, he bowed slightly. He has been invaluable.

Indeed, he has, Elmon said, clapping a hand over Gaels shoulder. Theo could sense the nervousness in his friends body. Lets get to it, shall we? The empire is always interested in raw materials. Our spies have informed us you have discovered nodes of demon metals. Youve even made them into alloys.

We have, Gael said with a nod.

The empire is ready to offer a trade deal for those resources. As well as rights to dock civilian airships in your port.

Theo shared a look with Gael. The archduke would like to make a statement.

Elmon smiled, rolling his shoulders. A Wisdom of the Soul message popped up, informing Theo that the High Commander didnt like this breach of protocol. What is it?

Were expecting an unfriendly visitor, Theo said, gesturing vaguely northward. The entire alliance is a no-fly zone. We have a no-questions-asked shoot-first policy at the moment.

Ah, youre worried about the city flying to destroy your alliance, arent you? Elmon asked, laughing. May we continue, Gael?

Yes, High Commander.

All civilian airships from Tarantham emit a signal. This signal cannot be copied. The empire would provide you with one, allowing you to know the exact position of our airborne civilian fleet. Were also willing to provide you with tactical information, assuming youre willing to send me home with a parting gift.

Theo nodded to Gael. He would dump all the raw materials in town on those ships for some more information.

We agree, Gael said. The Alliance will provide you with a thousand of each resource before you depart. Stones are in block form, approximately 10 units. Metals are in bar form, approximately 3 units. And lumber is in square board form, approximately 50 units.

Theo gave a report of what had happened, including the information they had gained. He could live without the trade deal, but the imperial spies were top-notch. There was actionable information in those reports. The alliance was no longer waiting around for whatever drifted over the mountains. They knew what it was, and how to bring it down.

Im not happy about this dark entity, Alise said, pacing nervously. Its another wolf in the ass!

Ive never heard that idiom, Theo said with a nod. That was a good one.

How many wolves do you have in your ass, Alise? Gwyn asked, a sly smile playing across her face.

At least three!

Once Alise had time to digest the information, she calmed down. The woman had a tendency to get worked up over things like this, but she eventually saw how valuable the exchange was. After that, she firmly joined team Tarantham and began singing their praises. Theo wasnt so sure about the empire and what they wanted, but they had made good on their promises so far. Well, it was the promises of Gael that had proven to be true.

In time, Aarok and Luras entered the makeshift war room to give their thoughts. The fleet from Tarantham was still loading materials onto their ships. Porters from Broken Tusk were loading their inventories up and carrying it to the dimensional storage on the ships. Once they were loaded up, they left without another word. Gael came into the meeting room, finding an empty chair and collapsing into it.

I need a vacation, he said, placing the airship detection artifice on the table.

You did great, Alise said, clapping. Without you, we would have started a war with the empire.

Seriously, Aarok said. Take a week off if you need it, Gael. You deserve it.

I just need to take a breath, the haggard elf said, dabbing his brow with a blue length of cloth. I knew Elmonteir back in the day. Could almost have called him a friend. They sent him because they knew I was handling the negotiations.

Were your houses close? Theo asked.

Gael shrugged. Not that close.

Theo sat, listening to Gael tell old stories about him and an old friend. Something lingered in his mind that he couldnt force out. Not just the approaching city, or the dark being aboard. It wasnt anything that Elmon said, it was something he didnt say. There was no mention of the rogue elf, Fenian Southblade. They would have known him from his original name, not the adopted surname of Feintleaf. The delegation didnt provide information on the missing elf, nor did they ask about him. Which meant they knew everything they wanted to know about the man.

While the others chatted, the alchemist withdrew his communication crystal and squeezed it. He felt the familiar sensation of haptic buzzing in his mind as the magical items connected. A few moments later, Fenians voice filled his mind.

You have the worst timing, dont you? Fenians voice was hushed.

Just checking in. We had a delegation from Tarantham visit town.

Ah. Thats good information. Which company?

No idea. Some guy named Elmonteir Northwind.

So, the Northwind Company. Perfect! How many ships?

Ten.

Excellent intelligence, my dear alchemist. Heres a progress report Im making my way to the coast. Assumed a new identity and scrounged up some coin. Ill be on the sea in a few days, heading home.

Theo paused for a long moment, smiling to himself. Fenian had never called Broken Tusk home before. Maybe you could hijack a civilian airship.

Too dangerous. Theyll hunt me down if I do that. Theyre less likely to miss a single-masted boat, though. Ah! Damn! Gotta go.

Fenian cut the connection off. The brief conversation left Theo feeling happier than before. There was a lot of bad that came with that elf, but the alchemist needed to believe in the cause. Perhaps that was just a lie he told himself to gloss over what could be war crimes. But Balkors undead were coming no matter what. And without the Demon God of Necromancy in his realm, those creatures would still bang against the Southland Alliances door.

Theo? Aarok asked.

Theo blinked, returning the communication crystal to his inventory. All eyes in the room were locked on him. Huh?

We were talking about throwing a party, Alise said, shaking her head. Are you paying attention?

I am now that you said party.