My lady, you must help us. His armies march upon our lands. Our villages burn as we speak. We may not survive this fortnight. You must help us. March with us. Join the battle. Let it be like the days of old.
Alas, I feel for your suffering but I cannot do what you ask.
Cannot or will not
Both, I suppose from your way of looking at it. There is much that you do not understand and many parts of the legends that you do not know.
Like that part where you were a bloody coward?
Be still. Do not display your ignorance further. You came seeking my aid and you shall have it. Just not in the way you imagined.
I apologize for his rashness my lady. He feels strongly the deaths of our people. He means no disrespect.
We all feel death strongly. However, I will not lead my people to war. More death will not ease anyone’s suffering.
Then you condemn us to die!
Keep a civil tongue before she denies us help completely. My lady, may I ask why you are unwilling to join the fray?
I suppose your companion would call it cowardice, though I would call it prudence. I will not condemn both our peoples to death at the hands of that fiend. My borders are well protected as you have seen and he cannot at this present time harm us here. I will not leave my people unprotected.
Then we are surely without hope.
You are never without hope. Here is my plan if you will agree to it. I will summon what warriors I can spare, men and women of courage and might to accompany you back to your people and to aid you in your cause. They will bring with them this hope that your people so desperately need. They cannot win the war. Not alone. But if your people rally around them there is hope indeed.
However, there is a second part of the plan. Even should hope not prove to be enough I do not intend to let _____ win. We will not let him destroy all we have worked for. We will not let your people or mine be wiped out. When you rejoin your king you must choose 20 children. 10 girls and 10 boys of a young enough age not to become embittered by the deaths of those they love, and five adults to care for them. These adults must be well equipped for child rearing and knowledgeable in the culture of your people. The kind of people who can be mother’s and teachers of this new generation. These 25 souls I will guard with my very last breath if need be. They will be given sanctuary in my lands for as long as they need it. If the battle goes ill your people will live on. They will take up your banner again, and they will face this evil in the next generation and the next until our foe is utterly destroyed. That is the aid that I offer.
However, there is a second part of the plan. Even should hope not prove to be enough I do not intend to let _____ win. We will not let him destroy all we have worked for. We will not let your people or mine be wiped out. When you rejoin your king you must choose 20 children. 10 girls and 10 boys of a young enough age not to become embittered by the deaths of those they love, and five adults to care for them. These adults must be well equipped for child rearing and knowledgeable in the culture of your people. The kind of people who can be mother’s and teachers of this new generation. These 25 souls I will guard with my very last breath if need be. They will be given sanctuary in my lands for as long as they need it. If the battle goes ill your people will live on. They will take up your banner again, and they will face this evil in the next generation and the next until our foe is utterly destroyed. That is the aid that I offer.
I hardly know what to say my lady!
There is nothing to say. It is generous beyond your comprehension, and yet it is not what you wished for. But it is what it is and in time you may come to understand the wisdom of the plan.
How many soldiers are we to expect?
They are at the door. I suggest you prepare for your departure. Time is not on your side.
Eisle, call them in.
Eisle, call them in.
This is my general, Tarai. He will lead these brave warriors into battle alongside you. I will not hinder them no matter how much I wish it.
You wish to withhold the aid you promise?
Would not you? Tarai is my son. My only son. He goes willingly to fight by your side.
Eisle will accompany you. She will bring back those who are chosen.
Eisle will accompany you. She will bring back those who are chosen.
You expect us to furnish this party of women and children with guards? All our soldiers will be needed for the battle.
Yes. They shall. Eisle will guide the women and children back here unaccompanied.
Then you do not mean for the innocents to make it here alive.
Do not doubt me so quickly. Or the ability of those I choose. I knew of your visit before you even thought of it and have trained these volunteers well.
Now be gone. Time rushes on with our without you and your king grows desperate for you aid. Even as we speak the first waves of the enemy forces are breaking upon your battlements. You have no time to lose.
Now be gone. Time rushes on with our without you and your king grows desperate for you aid. Even as we speak the first waves of the enemy forces are breaking upon your battlements. You have no time to lose.
My lady.
May your feet move swiftly, your hope burn brightly, and your courage not falter. Have faith.
