Two Masters (epic progression fantasy)

Chapter 21: A Temporary Arrangement

Omrai stepped into the guest tent. The Sendevalian messenger rose from his seat in respect. He wore robes of gold and blue and raised his hand in a sort of stilted wave. A Sendevalian gesture of respect.

Revin waited outside the tent with Omrai's guards. Close enough to hear, but not close enough for the Sendevalian to see the monk and report his presence back to Jebuthar. The monk should be resting. A medic had given Revin a numbing paste and a pack of bandages.

Omrai turned his attention to the four Ateyan soldiers standing in the corners of the tent, hands on their pommels. They didn't appreciate a Sendevalian so close to their general. A feeling Omrai understood quite well. It was Sendevalians who'd murdered his father and maimed his brother.

Omrai turned his gaze on the man.

"I am Peacemaker Hedansil," the man said, "I come with a message from King Den-Davod Valen of Sendeval and Supreme High-lord Jebuthar."

"Sit down," Omrai said firmly. The man feigned friendliness, but he hid a certain... eagerness.

The man frowned and sat. Omrai remained standing. The man's ease disappeared, and his discomfort increased.

"I am here to discuss your surrender, to ensure your people's safety," the man said.

Omrai cocked his head, staring down the man.

"My surrender? Sendeval knows better than most that Ateyans don't roll over and expose their innards." Omrai said.

"These are not Sendeval's demands, but Supreme High-lord Jebuthar's. He is wise beyond measure," the Peacemaker said. "It would also be wise, for you to surrender immediately."

Omrai paused, looked at the man... There was something... odd happening at a deeper level within him. Some emotion that moved beneath the surface, one that the Peacemaker wanted hidden.

Omrai frowned and narrowed his eyes. "I am willing to negotiate terms of peace, but I will not surrender to anyone."

The messenger's smile had violence behind it. "Jebuthar demands control of your nation, your personal imprisonment to ensure his rule, and the giving of all the lands of your eastern tribe to Sendeval for further development. He also demands the imprisonment of your brother. Your current government will be dissolved, and new leaders will be assigned by Jebuthar himself. He will not budge on a single point."

Omrai nodded his head. "Then we have nothing more to discuss." Omrai stepped toward the tent entrance and opened the flap. He motioned for the man to leave.

"Do you know what will happen if you don't surrender?" the messenger said, not standing. His brow furrowed and his tone took on a slight sense of urgency. "I'm sure you've heard reports. His armies' prowess on the field of battle? There will be no victory against him."

"Go back and tell your master I reject his demands," Omrai snapped, motioning again for the door.

The messenger frowned and let out a tense breath, "He will not like that answer. And you will not like the consequences of that answer."

Omrai paused. The man's hands were beginning to tremble. He tried to look calm, but there was obviously tension at the edge of his lip...a tremble in the center of his brow. Omrai tuned his senses to the man's emotional state. There was, of course, disdain for Ateya. But he finally pinned down the undercurrent.

Terror.

Omrai let go of the flap and turned fully to the seated Sendevalian. "You're afraid of him."

The messenger was quiet.