Shadow of Dusk

The Matter of War

William called a council the next evening to discuss the deaths of his North Port guards. However, before the rest of the council arrived, he asked Liam to come early. They sat at the oak table—now back to its original position—and William fixed Liam with a stern look.

            “My dear son,” he began. “I have not always hated the veredians, as you know.”

            Liam nodded, reflecting on his own thoughts from the previous night. After the feast, and after he had bade Isobel goodnight, he had gone to his chambers and finally read Kip’s letter.

            Liam,

I hope this letter finds you well. I have some news for you. Belle is the Argenbel of our boyhood stories, the daughter of Argent, the great veredian. Her daughter is the liaman Cailin, and I caution you to keep her close. Her life may be in great danger. All those stories we heard and told about Belle are true; I have had the privilege of riding with the veredian-woman, and while she is extremely modest, she does not deny the great war stories (although she tones them down).

Liam, we must convince my uncle that our forces are needed in Veredore. Avilane is biding her time, but soon it will be a larger war than we have ever fought before. This is a worthy cause and we must come to Veredore’s aid. Already many humans have been slain as the fiends of Maldoran try to push their way across the border of Veredore. I will not return to Teardor until we have defeated Maldoran. Diana will continue to serve as messenger.

 I fear if we do not close our border to Ouestdor, more veredians, including the coming and going of Duskraders and legions of their human soldiers, will stream into Teardor and pass into Veredore, endangering lives in Teardor. Reports from the south are saying that veredians of Maldoran are trying to enter Veredore from the South Sea, but fortunately the south ports are well guarded. Without our help, I am not sure how long Veredore can stand.

Daniel wishes me to convey a message to his wife and daughter: He is well and he loves them. You may convey a message to Brielle as well—while my eyes were on Belle on the morning of our departure, I believe that my heart may have stayed with her, although she may not know how I feel, and I would have her know it if I don’t come back.

Tristen also wishes me to send his love to Cailin. Again, cousin, keep her close.

Kip

            With all that in mind, Liam was prepared to take what his father said in stride, and then would try to convince him, yet again, to the way he saw things. And he would also reconcile himself to Cailin, but he would think of her later.

            “In fact, Liam,” William was saying, “I do not hate the veredians at all. I just do not believe that we need to be involved in the veredian wars. Why should we risk our lives for them?”

            Possibly because there are those who would do it for us, thought Liam.

            “No, Liam,” continued William. “I want to tell you what I really feel. Years ago, when my grandfather was king, Criofen and Allain began their war as to who would be king of Veredore. As you know, Allain wanted to be peaceful with the humans, but he asked my grandfather for help. My grandfather gave it to him, and our warriors fought bravely. Many lost their lives. About three-quarters of the veredians in all of Endoria—even some that had fought, in the beginning, on our side—went to Maldoran—the land that Criofen had claimed from Veredore—or to Ouestdor. The ones who didn’t go to those countries went to Veredore. That’s why Teardor is filled with mostly humans. Veredore was rebuilt, but Teardor was left to rebuild on its own. My father felt that the veredians had betrayed us. Many left Teardor and never came back, save a small handful. We’ve always had peaceful relations with them, until Ouestdor’s veredians began bypassing trade with us and going straight to Maldoran. Now you know this land is ever increasingly filling with humans. The veredians are slowly dying—but Avilane’s breeding plans are slightly increasing their strengths. They’re not extinct, not by far, but we humans outnumber them three to one. The liamans—well, the more they marry humans the more the veredian in them will diminish. So good riddance. The veredians have given me too much trouble.”