Scarlet Fate

33: The Wood Elves

Normal PoV

Whilst Dalios and his troops were fortifying the city gates, Shinsha Lea and her soldiers were tasked with guarding the city wall.

Sitting at a stone bench within the center of the town, Shinsha Lea ate a bread in hand with worry clear on her face.

"Did the scouting party returned?"

Dalios asked and sat down beside her, she nodded and response.

"An army is marching towards this city, no less then fifty thousand. They'll arrive in three days."

Dalios's expression darkens, he turned to this guards and nodded. The guards bowed and left.

"If that's the case we should abandon the city and flee. We simply don't have enough time, nor the troops to fight such an army."

Shinsha Lea shook her head, swallowed bread and drank water and replied.

"I've already dispatched a rider to call for aid from the fortress of Eil. However it could take them no less than five days to arrive."

Dalios turns to the sky, fazing the beauty of the clear blue sky, comforting breeze of air. Looking around him is a once great city, now nothing more than ancient ruins. The once great buildings of the high elves now nothing more than relics of the past. This saddened Dalios whom saw the same fate happen to his people.

"If that's the case my troops and I would lend you our aid."

Shinsha Lea smiled and bowed to Dalios.

"Thank you Lord Dalios, your aid would be much appreciated."

Taking the last bite of her bread, she turned to the towers at the front gates and asked.

"I would like to ask for your finest archers stationed atop those towers, the soldiers at my and with occupy the walls. Whilst the rest of your troops will occupy the main gates."

Dalios raised an eyebrow and asked.

"This might be rude, but may I ask why my troops, whom are fewer in number would be the main line of defense?"

Shinsha Lea sighed. Not frustration from Dalios's reply, rather sadness that forces her to put her kinsmen at risk. before giving a reply.

"Those under my command comprise mostly of peasants and armed militias, not to mention their lack of discipline, which is why I want you to hold the main line of defense."

"Couldn't we just retreat, what's to gain for waging war with the empire?"

"After the empire's defeat, we can reclaim our homeland and rebuild the kingdom."

Dalios clenches his fist in anger, turns to Shinsha with a death glare and inquired.

"Does that mean that you wish to kill thousands, in order for our homeland to be rebuilt?"

Without uttering a word, Shinsha nodded without uttering a word.

"Couldn't we just build a new kingdom?"

Dalios's words enraged Shinsha Lea, whom raised clenched and angrily told Dalios.

"Our people need the fountain of life located deep within our kingdom's capital. Without it's powers us wood elves would surely perish."

"As time passed, our people slowly lose our power over nature and wind, as well as our immortality."

Shinsha Lea sighed and bowed before Dalios and apologized.

"Unlike the highborn, the royal lineage of elves, eternally blessed with magic, we wood elves have to rely on the powers of the fountain."

Dalios averted his gaze and replied.