The Dragon King's Servant: Rise of the Daemon King

Chapter Nine: Formal Proposals

"Lord Elkwood. No one is being swept under any metaphorical rug. We only want peace and prosperity for our kingdom and those around us. Vervania wishes no ill will upon anyone, even our enemies." Maaltaire replied, voice even and regulated.

"I think not." Lord Elkwood snapped back. "You paint yourself to be a proper kingdom with no rotten woods withering in your backyard but me and my people know the truth."

"And what truth would that be, my lord?" Maaltaire asked. "Enlighten those around you with your truth." Maaltaire spread his arms wide, gesturing to the room and all present.

"Me and my people!" Lord Elkwood shouted, "were forced out of the kingdom forced into the woodlands like common trash. Like unwelcome vermin."

"And why exactly was that?" A gnome asked, dressed in blue and red robes, he stood two feet tall and wore a well tailored hat of royal blue.

"We wanted only to live as we had been given the right to do so." Lady Elkwood spoke up.

"And that right to live meant that you had to torture, kill and persecute a whole race of other beings?" Maaltaire asked.

All eyes shifted to the two wood elves who stood up looking proud and justified in their genocidal actions. There was not a single person across the continent who did not know of the horrific doings done by elven hands. How the mixed blooded fae were abused, killed and tortured. Paraded through the streets like cattle and swine.
The Elkwoods tried to steel their faces but it failed. The revulsion they felt towards the impure fae had become practically instinctual.

"It is our right!" Lord Elkwood shouted. "The impure breeds have no right to exist along side us!"

Chatter erupted across the room as lords and ladies whispered to one another. Maaltaire steeled himself into composure. Despite wanting to tear into the elven lord with claws and fangs.

"This. Is why we gather here today. To decide on lines and boundaries. To bring a conclusion to who will shelter and aid the Kuri. The kingdom of Vervania does not ask any of you to support the Kuri Collective, simply to give them a hand. To put aside judgment and welcome them into your cities and towns like you would anyone else." Maaltaire spoke, his voice carrying like a grand tidal wave.

"Blasphemous!" Lady Elkwood replied. "Who amongst you would rise up for the pure. To take back the land for the true rulers?"

"This half blood scum is no better than the Kuri!" Lord Elkwood added, pointing at Maaltaire.

All eyes watched to see how the young Vervanian nobleman would react. He didn't flinch a muscle, completely steeled like an iron statue.

"He and his line have been tainted by the Daemons! None of you know how-"

"That is enough Kendrick!" A dangerously aggressive man shouted.

All eyes turned to the male Salamander. Lord Slaizer was a thick man of muscles and broad proportions. Made only more large looking by the fact that his thick arms were folded over his chest. The burgundy of his clothes steamed as heat from within started to rise up. His lady, a slender and tall woman with gentle curves and a stern face, laid a hand on his bicep. Lord Slaizer drew in a deep breath and then relaxed as he exhaled.

"That is quite enough out of you." Lady Slaizer added. "This is a place of peaceful proceedings. Not a chamber in which to throw accusations at one another."

"May I remind you, Lady Slaizer, that it is my people who are dying. Not yours." Lady Elkwood replied, venom dripping with each word. "You speak the words of peace because it is my people, not yours who are knee deep in war."

"And who was it that started that war?" Maaltaire asked. "Upon my recollection, the Vervanian kingdom only stepped in after your people neglected to heed our warnings."

The Elkwood pair cringed, anger seeping out of every orifice as their auras burned with rage.

"Sit down." A kobold sneered, his reptilian face showing rows of needle like teeth. "This is a court of equality."

"Too right, Lord Leezar is." Lady Slaizer replied with a gracious nod.

Both Lady and Lord Elkwood turned wary gazes upon the room as they sat.

"I assume you have brought a formal proposal?" Lord Slaizer asked.

"I did. In fact I have brought two." Maaltaire replied, reaching into his jacket and pulling out two separate scrolls. "One is an agreement, that all those in favor of this fruitless war ending, take up arms and bring about a definite end to this unnecessary violence." Maaltaire lifted his right arm and set the scroll on the table in front of him.

"The other, is a mutual agreement to stay clear of elven territory all together. No trades. No mutual relations and a complete stop of this war. Should their territory be crossed, warnings of war may be given with three days to respond."
Maaltaire laid out the other scroll on the table and stepped away.

"Either which way, this war will end. Whether we band together in mutual understanding or mutual disagreement and go our separate ways.

"And what of the Kuri?" The Pengirim lord asked.

Maaltaire pulled out a third scroll and set it between the other two.

"They will be welcomed into Vervanian borders where they can live freely. No issues and no hatred. Any deaths out of malice or hatred to them will result in open war."  Maaltaire leaned into the table and looked around the room.

"I leave you to decide." He nodded.

*****

After nearly two hours, Maaltaire walked back into the chamber to find the Elven lord and lady were standing, faces red with anger. The Slaizer lord was up as well, his massive fists steamed with burning rage ready to be unleashed.

"I will not stand for this!" Lord Elkwood shouted, turning to Maaltaire as he strode in. "Your family! Your family threw us out and it is your family who will pay for it."

Maaltaire looked around the room at the eleven other Fae nobles. Half looked appalled and the other half looked reserved but it was easy to see that frustration was hiding just beyond.

"This room is built up of noblemen and noble ladies. It is not one voice that matters but all your voices." Maaltaire spoke. "Who wishes to bring an end to this war?" He raised a hand and watched as ten of the twelve pairs raised their hands. The only other one who did not were the Dryads who had formed a tenuous relationship with the elves.

"Majority has spoken." Maaltaire replied. "Lord and Lady Elkwood. I give you one last chance to pull your forces away. This need not end in violence and bloodshed."