~When a young elf gets forced to assimilate into human society, she won't go down without a fight~
(Written for Write to Rank '23)
(Please note, the following entries may include violence and course language, viewer discretion is advised)
The wind blew gently against my back, caressing my face and playing with my hair. The sunlight laid in a speckled pattern across the forest floor. Trickling water of the nearby stream filled my mind with ease.
It was beautiful outside. Mother Earth truly blessed us.
I gently placed my hand on my spouse's back. "How're you making out?"
Fraiser let out a soft groan before standing up. "Stubborn stains," they muttered, tossing our laundry back into the stream. "You got to be cleaner, Zillah."
"It doesn't have to be completely spotless, my breastplate will cover up most of the stains. It just has to smell nice."
Fraiser's shoulders slumped forward. They scooped up our clothing and began the trek back to our village.
"If you need help hun, I can take some clo-"
A rustle in the trees nearby stopped Fraiser and I in our tracks. Standing next to it was Maple, one of the local dryads. She wore an expression of shock and horror.
"Zillah, Fraiser. Come quick, there are humans."
With that, she disappeared back into the trees.
Without another thought, I dropped to my knee and traced a circle in the dirt. The circle glowed a light purple, illuminating the shadow. I pulled Fraiser close, and in the blink of an eye we spawned right outside the forest boundaries.
A few hundred meters in front of us stood what I presume was an army of humans. They wore breastplates of what appeared to be cheap steel and wielded swords at their sides.
I put my hand out in front of Fraiser, signaling for them to stay back. Then, unsheathing my own sword, a raced forward to join my fellow members of the guard.
Upon further inspection, these humans looked like us. The only notable difference was their ears, they were rounded. Their skin remained clean and pristine, unlike our own.
A member of the human army stepped forward. He unrolled a large scroll before talking.
"By order of His Majesty, we are here to formally request an alliance. We have resources that would provide much benefits to you, as you have resources that would benefit our kingdom. For the small, small price of some land, in return we will provide gunpowder and muskets."
He then gestured for someone to come forward. In this person's hand was what appeared to be a fancy, wooden rod.
Upon hearing the crowd's confused chatter, he continued. "This is a musket, it proves beneficial for hunting."
One of the Elders walked forward and inspected the 'musket'.
Musket. Gunpowder. Such silly words.
"How much land," the Elder questioned.
"That will be promptly discussed with Him upon your approval of said deal."
"I will discuss it with my fellow Elders."
"It's now or never."
She sighed. "Fine, I approve."
Once those words were uttered, the air seemed to stiffen. It was as if it could sense that something was about to go horribly, horribly wrong.
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