The prince makes his case

"So as you can see. If my forces take over training the queen's armies you will be free to move your orcs up to the front lines where they can do the most good. While they have done an excellent job of reforging the queen's army at a basic level they are not right for teaching the tenets of elvish warfare." Rinlest said. The war council was in the antechamber standing around a map. When Rinlest had arrived with his proposition everyone had been surprised. He had previously expressed that his kingdom was neutral in the conflict and that he could not, therefore, interfere in the matters of the war. To have him suggest even this kind of support had been a surprise. A welcome one if the looks on the queen's advisors faces were any indication. While the orcs were effective they were still orcs, while the border with the Wastes had been quiet as those within worried about their internal bickering there was always the chance of ****. Having an army that believed too much in orcish strength would be folly.

"The Prince is right your majesty. I hold Broden in high esteem but he is still a mercenary. We cannot depend on his presence forever." One of her advisors, Taniel Silvest pointed out. He had no such feelings for the orc but to say so outright with him present didn't seem prudent.

"No, we can't which is why we should try to make use of them while they are here. Broden's orcs are excellent fighters but they aren't invincible. Don't forget one is still in the hospital recovering from the battle against the Iron Witch. They can do us far more good staying back and propagating their skills among our forces." Linder Fenlet pointed out. He was one of the few members of the council who was truly on Broden's side. He was however also the youngest Elf on the council meaning that his words carried little weight.

"Their propagating is one reason why we should be having them as far from the cities as possible." Elmyra Virjyre said sharply, giving Broden a glare. She was one of the orcs fiercest critics and unlike the others didn't even try to hide her dislike of him.

"This matter is up to the queen. My orcs are more than capable of both training the army and destroying the queen's enemies. Fighting like elves is what caused such a dire situation in the first place. You can't win just by hiding in the trees and firing arrows. You run out of room to retreat before they run out of bodies." Broden growled.

"I assure you that our style of warfare does not depend on any such thing. I understand how you would believe that from what you have seen but a properly trained elf formation is more than a match for any foe. How else could we have kept the wastes from encroaching upon our lands?" Rinlest pointed out. The subtle insult made Broden narrow his eyes at the elf but before he could respond the queen decided she'd had enough of this bickering.

"Enough all of you. Prince Rinlest, thank you for your kind offer. I am most willing to accept but I will insist on Broden's men also remaining in place. There is much to learn from both." She said, looking at his face for any sign of his next move. Rinlest did a masterful job of hiding his displeasure. He had considered this scenario but had discarded it as far too unlikely. Who would wish to keep orcs when elves were available? That in mind, he would accept the condition. It was a way in and he would not throw it away. He would simply have to think of another way to drive out the orcs.

"Of course your majesty. I am sure that such an exchange will prove beneficial to all." It already was. He had learned much from this meeting and made a note to try and see Elymyra alone if he could. He sensed a potential ally in her.

"Excellent. Now on to the next matter. I've been getting reports from the front..."