Elven Envoy

Since returning to Gadreel, Will focused solely on his new discount store chain project. For the past two weeks, Will met with his senior clerks every day. Every day, Will discussed his plans for the Silver Phoenix 5&10 Coppers, the name of his nationwide discount chain store.

Since the fire sale, Will opened more than 75 new stores across Fermion. And another 75 more were in construction. The small stores were inexpensive to open and staff, but problems in the supply chain and distribution were problematic. The logistics were not in place for such a large undertaking. Silver Phoenix 5&10 Coppers was the largest commercial client for his airships.

The stores were so successful, Mei, Vanessa, and Miles had trouble keeping the shelves stocked. Due to the plague, famine, and Peasant Rebellion, Will guessed correctly customers had less discretionary money. The discount stores were exactly what was missing in local markets. The chain stores were able to meet customers' unmet demand for low-cost groceries and household supplies.

Today, Will sat in his office listening to Mei, Vanessa, and Miles update him on his business. The meetings sometimes lasted hours as each business' accounts and problems were reviewed. The ebbs and flows of business were like cresting ocean tidal waves. According to his senior clerks, Will's businesses were surfing a tidal wave.

Families of employees that died of the plague were paid survivor benefits, and new employees were onboarded. Welfare to employees during the famine ended. And employees who worked during the Peasant Rebellion had their hazardous pay benefits cutoff.

As Vanessa discussed the new discount stores in the western and eastern regions, Will heard the watchtower bell clang. The one-ton brass bell was meant to alarm the citizens of invasion.

'Who's attacking the city?' Will wondered.

Will quickly ended the meeting and sent Vanessa and Mei, back to their respective cities. Then Will ran to the front gates.

Along the way, Will thought who it could be, 'Was it the Albanian, no there were still eight years left on the treaty.'

"Is the city under attack?" Nisha asked telepathically catching up to Will.

"Let's find out together," Will said, as he and Nisha ran up to the battlements.

"Milord, it's not safe here," Bubba sounded dressed.

Bubba was dressed from head to toe in Dwarven Steele Armor. It Will was the outfit had picked out for him. During the five years between after the wedding and before the plague, Will outfit his entire city guard in Dwarven Steele Armor. His guards look polished and professional.

"How large is the army?" Will asked concerned.

"We got a messenger from the fort. An Elven army 500 strong," Bubba said.

"Elves? Nisha, can you see them?" Will asked telepathically.

"Yes. One smells familiar, I think he was one of the elves observing us in the forest all those years ago," Nisha said.

"Bubba can you tell if they mean war, or is this an envoy?" Will asked.

"Milord, no one has seen elves in thousands of years, I don't know any of their formations. I thought they were a myth," Bubba confessed.

"Bubba, let's go meet them. Quickly detach an order of 500 soldiers to my side," Will said.

"First and Second Companies report to the City Lord," Bubba ordered.

Soon 500 city guard soldiers were gathered by Will. They followed Will down the battlements and out the front gates.

It wasn't long before Master Duncan, and Savage Wolf heard the news and led their reinforcements to Will's aid. Soon a little over 1,000 humans, dwarves, and beastmen stood shoulder to shoulder in solidarity.

Across the river, the elves were more surprised to see humans, dwarves, and beastmen allied together. It made for a terrifying sight. Fighting against such a coalition, who could survive?

The elves waived a white flag with two doves. Will guessed that flag symbolized peace talks. At least Will and Bubba thought it meant peace talks.

In Fermion, blank flags meant an envoy. Flags without emblems signified the desire to speak. Flags with emblems meant an official correspondence or state action. Whereas colored flags symbolized different phrases. White represented surrender, and yellow stood for a temporary stoppage during the war.

Three elves stopped just before the bridge. Three men walked onto the bridge leaving their army on one side of the river. Will, Master Duncan, Savage Wolf, and Nisha did the same, leaving their joint army on the opposite side of the river.

"Greetings, I am Vaalyun Yllamoira. I greet you on behalf of her majesty," said a flawless-looking wood elf. They marched out of the forest, so wood elf. As Will looked at the man, he felt weirdly attracted to him.

The man had copper color skin, blonde hair, and hazel eyes. He was slender, slightly effeminate according to human standards, using [Radar], Will learned the elf was a Master Ranger. He wore a nice green tunic, leather belt, and moccasins. The man carried no weapon, but Will could tell he did not need one to kill.

"Greetings, my name is Viscount William vont Ballard. I greet you and pray Gaia's grace upon thee," Will said using his diplomacy skill. Will's speech was formal and bowed respectfully. Will wanted to leave a good first impression with the elves.

Following Will's introduction, Savage Wolf or Master Duncan, who cared not for diplomacy, introduced themselves. Neither felt the need to bow.

"Master Vaalyun Yllamoira," Will began the conversation butchering the elf's name.

"Might we know the reason for your esteemed visit? If you follow me to my house, I'd like to receive you honorably," Will said.

"That is unnecessary. I came here to give you a gift. You and your panther cleared out our fallen base and rid us of that necromancer once and for all. We came to pay our respects for saving our catacomb and grotto," the elf bowed respectfully to Will.

"There is no need to bow. I cleared that dungeon for selfish reasons. I too have something for you," Will said opening up a spatial door and taking out the elvish bow and manual.

"You honor us again by returning our belongings. In truth, I did not think you an honorable man. But any man who can befriend dwarves and beastmen and call upon them in time of trouble is honorable.

My queen was correct to gift you entry into our Forbidden Kingdom. Only you, the panther, and one other may attend," Vaalyun Yllamoira said.

"You greatly honor me," Will said handing the bow and manual to the envoy.

"You may call me Vaal," the envoy said agreeably.

"Please call me Will," he said.

"Will be careful, never trust an elf! They make for fickle friends, and terrifying enemies," Master Duncan said cautiously.

Vaal looked at Master Duncan raising a curious eyebrow.

"This fool! Why do you associate yourself with these low intellect creatures? These selfish mountain dwellers have interest only in their metals?" Vaal said.

"Fool, am I? Was it not the elves that brought calamity upon these lands a million years ago?" Master Duncan said gripping his two-headed ax.

"Halfling, I'd fill your belly with arrows before you stepped afoot," Vaal said removing a cape that showed a bow and full quiver.

"Whatever happened long ago, is not our problem for today. Master Duncan, would you threaten your disciple's guest?" Will asked.

"Is that how you pointy ear fellas fight? From long-range, like cowards?" Savage Wolf asked curiously.

"We higher evolved beings, we do not fight like you barbarian wolves?" Vaal replied.

"Did you call me a wolf? Savage Wolf said, showing his claws.

"Can everyone stop! Dear Lord Vaal, please refrain from slandering my allies. Master Duncan, Savage Wolf please refrain from slandering my guests?" Will said.

"Fine, just this once," said Master Duncan

"I'll agree to this once as well," said Savage Wolf.

"Now, Lord Vaal after this please allow me to serve you a meal. As a believer in Gaia, I cannot allow my guest to leave without a meal," Will said bowing low.

"Very well, as long as we may bring our weapons lead the way," Vaal said.

"You may bring your weapons. Might I ask if you have any dietary preferences?" Will asked.

"We do not choose to take or eat life," Vaal said.

"Bubba send two riders. First, send word to my house to serve a vegetables only meal. Second, send word to Miles to bring the troubadours over for light music and merriment," Will whispered to Bubba.