Asher the Insane

91 - Papia Barbera De Wimmer - 05

"Shocking, I know. They usually have the longest ears of any elves I have ever seen. Why are yours so stubby? And your eyes have no glow to them. Your human genes must be overwhelmingly strong. It's very strange, to be honest. I mean, no offense, but still," Asher said. "It's just that I've never seen an elf with such short ears before. I thought all elves had long ears. Even people with just a bit of elf genes in them have 'em."

"It doesn't matter. This newfound identity isn't really going to change my life," I said.

"Well, doesn't make you less of an elf, just so you know, but I thought you were human. I had this idea of great peace between the races when meeting the king. But two of the race they don't seem to trust? Bit controversial, eh?"

"I push the divider aside with force and yelled, "and why the hell are we meeting the king?"

Asher continued to speak, his words now flowing freely as if he had been waiting for an audience to hear his grand plan.

"Did I forget to tell you? I'm a diplomat, here to meet the king. Maybe built some lasting relationship with this kingdom, which has such a strange name, by the way, Phosawroufstinenge; this must have been an elven place in the past and then humans took it.

Explains why there are so many elves here. A man named Rike once told me that some elves are 'sensitive'. In short, it means that they don't forget that sort of thing for a long, long time.

Even if Phosa has been a human 'occupied' kingdom for a few hundred years doesn't mean that the elves think that it belongs to humans. And I thought that, maybe, I could smooth out a bit of that roughness between these two sides. You know what? Who cares? You seem human enough!"

His voice grew more animated as he spoke, and I couldn't help but be drawn in by his enthusiasm.

I opened my mouth to ask him, but before I could say a word, he cut me off, "look, I know this might seem like a lot to take in, but trust me, you won't regret it." He took me in his arms and made a gesture of looking into the sky, even though we were just staring into the ceiling of the inn. "Just imagine, a world or at least a place where humans and elves can coexist peacefully, without fear or animosity. And all because of our actions. It's a beautiful thing, isn't it? Asher Burell and the part you'll play, his, maybe adopted, daughter!"

He grinned at me, his eyes shining with excitement. For a moment, I found myself caught up in his vision, swept away by the possibility of a better world. But just as quickly as it had come, the feeling faded, and I was left with a nagging sense of doubt.

I shrugged his hand off of me, "no way in hell am I going to play your daughter."

"Why do you think I need you? And why the hell do you think I'm paying you with a literal infinite bag? It's worth enough to get yourself a small house and food for the rest of your life.

Think about it all you want, but I assure you, this is an opportunity that only comes once in a lifetime. Who knows when we'll get the chance to make such a significant impact on the world ever again?

If they hear that a 'human' diplomat was sent by Crown Rike, then everyone is going to think twice about their own current relationship with the other races. And I thought a girl would be less threatening than a boy. You'd think that too, everyone does. Young also, but not too young, to make you seem capable enough to have your own thoughts. Which I don't mean to imply that you don't, just so you know.

C'mon, it's not that hard of a job, very cushy actually. And you'll get to meet your king. What's not to like?"

I needed more time to think. "Let me sleep on it," I said, hoping to buy myself some time.

"Of course, of course," Asher said, patting me on the back. "Take all the time you need. But just remember, the fate of two races rests in your hands."