The Rise of a Hero & The Garnet Nightshade: A Violet Rose (Book 2)

Chapter IV: Continental Conference

Lis'ra Castle

Throne Room

With every domain and race from each continent in attendance, the Continental Conference was about to begin. Hostility between the king of the beast-folk and his second son was at an all-time high, the third born went into hiding. Unknown to everyone else, war was brewing. Elise and Mira had been the last to arrive. The elves had been preparing for the inevitable since the departure of their third princess. The attendees of the conference are as follows: Alyssa, Arsidian, Alicia, Aaron, Amyllia, Elise, and Mira. Only high-ranking nobles and lords were allowed into this conference.

Everyone wanted to keep these talks as quiet as possible, so only the most trusted were allowed entry. After several days of sifting through people, everyone managed to find a place.

Clearing his throat, Arsidian says loudly "Will everyone settle down and take their respective seats! This Conference is about to begin!"

One by one each person sat at the table or their assigned seat. The noise that once filled the room was now gone.

"Before we begin, I want to welcome those who have traveled here from afar and those who are our dearest neighbors. I want all in attendance to keep an open mind, as we have a guest from the beast-folk continent. The firstborn son has come to us in good faith that we would hear him out in regards to his younger brother. As most of us are aware, the king of the beast-folk has continued peace among all the races, but his second-born holds a deep and unrelenting hatred towards us humans and demi-humans. My sister and I as well as our mother Mira have ancestors that took the southern end of this domain away from the beast-folk and made it our own while driving them from this continent entirely.

I, as well as most of you, would probably agree that their anger and hatred are sound. Don't forget, that the same hatred and resentment they feel are the same as most of you feel towards demi-humans. My sister as well as our mother have lived their entire lives with that over their heads. I want all of us here and everywhere else to think about what it means to have something and then to have it suddenly taken away. Whether it be land, possessions, or a family member.

War is yet again at our doorstep, but what is to stop this from escalating from our continent to the elves? Could any of you stand back and watch countless lives be massacred? I for one couldn't. Whether any of you believe me or not, I will stand by the beast-folk and fight to protect the peace they so desperately want, as well as for the elves.

The once silent room erupts into shouts and curses as everyone takes in what Arsidian had said. The prince sits at the table silently as he takes in the eruption that broke out. Sidora's mouth hangs slightly ajar as she watches the humans in the room argue amongst themselves. Arsidian stands there with a look of bewilderment, while Elise and Mira talk amongst themselves. While the room is in disarray, Alyssa stands and lets out a fire spell above everyone's head. Once the commotion dies down she speaks.

"My brother has said what he wishes to do, if any of you wish to disregard what it means to stand together then you may leave now! It is not the time for us to begin to fight amongst ourselves! Our mothers fought for you even though some of you distrust us demi-humans. I for one agree with my brother's decision to stand and fight with the beast-folk. Who's to stop them from taking over just our home, or Sir Aaron's, or Lady Alicia's, even Lady Amyllia's? The moment blood is spilled then it is too late.

We must stand strong together or we will have fought for nothing and lost more than our homes. Yes, I know the beast-folk and the other races haven't always been the best of friends or allies, but if we don't forge a friendship here and now it will never happen. For the love of the gods, the third elven princess even persuaded her father to be allowed to enter our continent.

That itself speaks volumes of the importance of us standing together!"

After Alyssa said her piece many of the humans who had been fighting amongst themselves looked at her in disbelief. Both Elise and Mira looked at their daughter with shock. Arsidian was dumbfounded that his sister stepped up and took the role he was supposed to have. Sir Aaron, Lady Alicia, and Lady Amyllia were surprised she had spoken not only to the humans in the room but the prince as well as the elven princess in such a way.

Everyone sat down quietly and took in what Alyssa had said. Elise was the first to speak.

"What do you think we should do Alyssa?"

"I'm not as tactical as Arsidian, but if we cooperate together then things will be better for all of us."

"Our domain has the most healers and the second strongest mages in the entire continent. If Lady Amyllia and I discuss how to disperse all the mages between each domain we can cover each front more effectively. Lady Alicia has the only navy to speak of, so leaving her in charge of that would be more effective. Sir Aaron has the largest number of soldiers among all of us, so, setting up camps for the soldiers from all domains and leaving him in charge of dispersing them would be more fruitful." Adds in Arsidian.

"You would be correct in doing so. Sir Aaron is the best at tactical advantages, from close range to distance. He learned from his father, who at the time might I add was the most brilliant tactician of his time." States Mira.

"My father was a naval captain, so I learned from him. Plus, water is my primary element." Adds Alicia.

"How are we going to distribute provisions among the people?" Asks Elise.

"Let us handle that." Replies Alyssa, Sidora, and her attendant.

"If there is anything else we need to do, let's discuss it now." States Arsidian.

And so the conference continued without any further disputes among the people in attendance. Everyone gathered in groups to discuss different options on how to stockade on supplies, while others discussed how to move the citizens to safety. Every advisor and attendant at our disposal switched shifts as the night dragged on. Once we covered most of the important topics we all decided to retire for the day. What awaited us a few days later would shake each of us to the core.