A Mermaids Tail

12.Stay

Narfi sat in the woods just outside the cave with Vali, they'd been silent for a long time.

Narfi understood Vali's anger for Nari, their older brother. When the newcomers had came and started to settle it was Nari who remained after Vali fled to the woods with Narfi. It was Nari who had spent long nights recounting the tales of their people and the magic around them, the homes of other races. It was through his teachings that the cataclysmic slaughter followed. Since then no sight nor sound had been told of Nari until this night, now he returned to 'put things right' as he'd said. Vali was reluctant to believe this, Nari had always been spiteful and to a degree malevolent when they were growing up and Vali believed that he had more to do with the killing of the other races than what he admitted. Narfi on the other hand did not think that, Nari desired power, desired to rule and control, his reappearance now made more sense than him selling out the other races, he had nothing to gain through their demise.

"Vali...they chased us to the Dark Wood...we're dealing with the Church of Ventatores, we slaughtered their priests, destroyed their temple, attacked their city and escape with one of their prized possessions...they'll be coming for us, and not before long either," Narfi looked sideways to his brother as he finished speaking to await his response but none came, "Vali I know you don't like him..."

"I hope he rots in Helheim!"

"That may be but you can't deny that his assistance would be invaluable," pushed Narfi.

"Yeah sure, because getting sold out to the Ventatores will be a huge help!" spat Vali furiously.

"You honestly believe he'd do that?" Narfi questioned in disbelief.

"A thousand times over," Vali growled back.

"Well I wouldn't," Nari's voice sounded as he walked round to the front of them. He'd sneaked up on the pair of them, Narfi was impressed. "For your information my petulant little pup I've spent the years since we last met gathering together and bolstering the forces I inadvertently caused the downfall of. You'd have thought if they could forgive my idiocy and allow me to aid them that my own brothers could too!"

"You're silver tongue could fool many Nari don't act so coy!" Vali stood and glared at his brother. "Don't act as if you're not manipulating each and every one of those beings for your own gain WE know you better!"

"I won't deny I've pulled strings, but it was for our benefit brothers!" Nari gasped exasperated. "I've built us an army to fight back with."

"Narfi if you believe that you're a fool!" Vali spat at Nari's feet.

"I may not fully trust him, but I think we should hear him, an army would be handy right now you can't deny," Narfi spoke levelly and calmly trying to defuse the situation. "We can at least hear what he's got to say."

"Very well," sighed Vali knowing Narfi wanted to hear Nari's story and being half interested himself at what his eldest brother had to say, "But cut the crap Nari I just want the facts."

"As eloquent as ever Vali," sneered Nari before commencing, "Over the years I've traveled these lands uncovering the homes of the scattered magical beings and in return for my secrecy regarding their abode they would serve me in battle when the time came. From Faeries to Pixies, Elves to Dwarfs and all in between, I have tracked them down and secured their allegiance in battle one way or another. I want rid of the Ventatores as much as the pair of you. Together we can retake our home brothers!"

"And you expect us to believe your army won't be used against us?" Vali sniggered resentfully.

"You think I'd order the death of my own brothers?!" Nari gritted his teeth.