The negotiations

The Ghanral king had brought a small retinue of his court, including guards to protect him. The location for negations was in a neutral place, a field on the border, a series of chairs had been situated into a large circle. Too far away for someone to brandish a weapon.

I saw who must be the king Atlus, a stocky man with a simple crown adorned on his head, and a trimmed beard.

He was being guarded by a young looking man to the side of him, he was wearing armour and wielded a halberd in his hand, pointing towards the sky in a relaxed but also readied stance.

Sitting down next to the king was an older looking man, wearing a full set of plate armour, a plate helmet resting on his knee, a sword in its scabbard attached to his hip.

Then I recognised someone…a person I haven’t seen for some time.

Caine. He looked gaunt and tall, his limbs seemed longer than a usual human, all wrapped in pale, almost sickly skin. His head was still bald, thin and stretched lips with a black cross in the middle of his fore head. He smiled a devious smile when he saw me, like he recognised me too.

The last time I saw him was when I was a temporary mercenary for king Harold, another king of a human kingdom.

Sitting close by Caine was an attractive human woman. She had wild black hair, mesmerising eyes, and etched on her face was a sadistic smile. She wore a black tattered dress that hugged her curvy figure, her ample and full cleavage was almost spilling out of her attire. A red five pointed star was painted on her chest, this usually symbolised that they were practicing witchcraft. Her bare feet could be seen as she crossed a thick thighs, her dress rode up her and I could see the glimpse of her underwear.

We all seated and faced each other, the tension was tense, like a powder keg with a match ready to light it. I sat upright, showing a dominating posture, not giving any sign of weakness to the enemy.

“We wanted to discuss your terms for surrender.” King Atlus cut straight to the point.

The king of Steelton guffawed at this demand, shaking his jowels at the preposterousness of it all.

“You can’t expect me to surrender, surely?” King Loda said.

“I’ll say it more simple for a man as such as you.” Insulted king Atlus. “We have more men, it is true that you have finer steel than I. But what is use of those weapons, if you do not have the men to wield them.”

“If you have more men, then why haven’t you used them in your war efforts?” Asked duke Sebastian.

“I do not wish to pool all of my resources into one endeavour, I use them in different ones, bearing results in multiple projects.” Said king Atlus.

“Understandable.” Said Sebastian. “But one thing bothers me.

Duke Sebastian leaned forward slightly, his fingers steepled in thought. The late afternoon sun glinted off his polished steel armour as he studied King Atlus with narrowed eyes.

“You claim numbers.” Sebastian continued, his voice measured but edged with skepticism. “Yet your recent assaults have been… cautious. Almost hesitant. Why?”

A flicker of irritation passed over King Atlus’s bearded face. His grip tightened imperceptibly on the carved arms of his chair, knuckles whitening.

“Why would I give you all my details in this war, that serves me no advantage to divulge you my secrets.” He sneered. “I am sure that you would advise your king to do the same.”

“If you will not disclose your strength, why should we believe your threats hold weight?” Asked Sebastian, taking the reins like a king should be.

A slow, unsettling chuckle came from Caine, an elongated finger rested on his chin. His black-crossed forehead wrinkled as his stretched lips peeled back, revealing teeth too sharp, too numerous.

The woman beside him uncrossed her legs slowly, the tattered hem of her dress sliding higher up her thigh. She briefly showed every one of us facing in her direction, her black underwear.

“If you do not believe me, then I will show you on the battlefield tomorrow. I will show you the full **** of my army. And if you want it to stop, you will need to provide me with something.” Said king Atlus.

“And what is that?” Asked king Loda.

“The wolvir has it, or should still posses it.” Spoke up Caine, his voice was dry and wheezing.

Everyone looked at me, furrowed brows and inquisitive eyes stared right at me.

“What do you speak of, warlock?” I said to Caine.

The witch sat next to him began to laugh, even though it was a sweet sound, her eyes and twisted smile made her look devious.

“A gem that you stole from my mentor.” Said the witch.

“Aconite speaks true, you stole it from me some time ago.” Said Caine.

I recalled what he was talking about, from the last meeting we had he mentioned it, about an orc that was supposed to give it to him. On that day, myself, Elle, and a group of mercenaries took out a bandit camp, along with an orc. The treasures they had included this gem, which I found out later to be known as the hoard soul stone. It was capable of raising the dead, and in this case, the hoard soul stone was able to do this with a single use and the potential of an undead army to rise.

The stone was kept safe in a treasure cave back in Luna Peak.

“Why would I give you something like that?” I told him.

“Because, either many die, or all of you die.” Said Caine.

“And if we give you this item, the war between us stops.” Spoke out king Loda.

“Yes, but I will continue advancing with my full might until it is in my hands.” Said king Atlus in a final tone. He rose out of his chair and made his way to leave.

The negotiations, if it could be called that, came to and end everyone parted, with suspicious and ill intents, but no blood was spilled on this day.

“What is it that he seeks?” King Load asked me.

“A soul stone, a particular one that is more powerful than other soul stones.” I said. “It is kept in a safe place back in Luna Peak.”

“Please king Fen. I need to give that stone to him, if not, the fighting will devastate my lands.” He said desperately. “I will give you more money, and lands for your kingdom, just please aid me.”

I thought of my next move, not realising at the time that it would end differently to how I imagined.