She Offers Herself in Exchange for a Truce

“May I as with whom I speak?” Arvanda asked as the orc said arrived in the hall of the royal tower.

“I am General Drass. I have received your offer.”

“And do you accept?” Arvanda looked up at him. There were several elves standing at attention by the walls of the circular room.

He looked her up and down, licking his lips. He was a vile creature, shirtless, with arms and legs like tree trunks. He must have been two feet taller than Arvanda, at least. His pale green faces was full of creases, a couple of pink scars on the forehead. His ears were pointy, but poking up more vertical than an elf’s. His nose was thick, warm air and snot blowing from one nostril.

He wore a thick length of chain around his neck. On one shoulder was a spiky iron pauldron, the other was covered with the grey fur of a wolf. A leather loin cloth covered his torso and groin.

“I accept your proposal, queen.” He stared deep into her eyes, a sadistic smile on his lips. “But I have one amendment to make. For it is not enough.”

“A queen is not a great enough prize?” Arvanda raised an eyebrow.

There were gasps around the room from her guards and Belraz as they realised what her offer for peace had been. Herself.

“You are a great prize for our king, but my warriors would not be happy, since they will receive nothing. So I must ask for more.”

“Then name your price.”

“I wish for a chest full of your greatest jewels, gold and silver, to appease my fighters.”

Arvanda nodded. “Consider it done.”

“Very well. Now come with me.”