Tipping the Scale

The Girl Genius (Part 1)

Warchief was standing in what had come to be his office inside the dragon orders western pillar. It was smaller than most of the other rooms, with bare stone walls and floors as he had removed all of the valuable rugs that had once covered it. He had chosen the space, as it had been the only one devoid of other furniture except for a stone-made desk. Most would have been bothered by how empty the study was, but for Warchief it provided a sense of serenity.

At least it normally did. Currently, he was staring at the two envelopes in his hands as he leaned on the writing table behind him. They had been delivered that day and were the meager returns of the dozens of letters he had sent months prior.

One of them he recognized at a glance as belonging to his brother. There was no mistaking the elvish tradition of writing on speckled gold paper. As he had learned it to be typical of the elves, they flaunted their wealth at every chance. The other letter was a normal off-white color, and as Warchief turned to open it, he could see a rare blue seal imprinted with an insignia he recognized immediately. Iberios had answered.

Although he was glad to have received a response, he couldn't help but feel deflated. Iberios was by far the most remote area that he had contacted, if they had the time to respond, it could only mean that the others should have responded by now as well.

Using the small dagger that he had strapped to his leg, he opened up the envelope. Inside he found a letter written in swirly cursive lettering, considered fashionable to the nobility all around the continent. To Warchief, it just looked unnecessarily complicated and ridiculous. He scanned the letter, feeling a sense of relief as it stated that Iberios would support them. Not that it mattered much as the country had no military means to help back them up. Their support was therefore more symbolic. But it was better than nothing. At least they would be willing to send supplies or be a safe haven if things went wrong.

Frustrated, he put it to the side and looked at the elven letter. Debating himself if he was in the right mind to deal with his brother's nonsense. But before he got to decide, a short knock sounded from the door behind him. Without his reply, it opened and Crystal walked in carrying her medical bag.

"Am I disturbing you?"

It was a rhetorical question, as they both knew that it did not matter if he had been busy or not.

"Do I need to answer that?"

She just shot him a smug grin, as she came to stand beside him. Not bothering to answer his question, she noticed the envelopes on the desk. She picked up the letter from Iberios and he could see her eyes flit over the text, scanning its contents.

"That is good news, for once."

"I suppose so. The king has answered that he will support our mission. Not that it helps much. But at least someone seems to recognize that we should band together and stop that insane religion from spreading. I can't wrap my head around what the rest is thinking."

The half-demoness started to lean against the desk as well, nodding halfheartedly at his rumblings. They had had the same conversation multiple times now, and she didn't seem interested in repeating the same points she always did. Instead, her eyes fell on the elfish letter.

"And Neoire?"

Warchief looked at the envelope as she waved it in front of his face and shook his head. He didn't have to read it, to know what it would say. The elves felt themselves to be safe as the deadlands formed a natural barrier between them and the human world. They knew that the god of the dead wouldn't allow anyone to pass.

She nodded in understanding as she gave the letter back to him.

"Maybe, we should consider leaving Lynoës and moving South. As they start to advance further, people might start changing their minds."