Singing a Shanty with a glimmer of hope

While sitting and conversing amongst themselves, they couldn't come to an agreement on what to do. Some of them were sad about not being able to see their family or friends still enslaved in Nual. They were concerned about being in the care of humans, which abused them. Or Orcs, which terrified them. 

Cyrus didn't like the idea of being around Orcs. As he watched them interact in Yagwern as well as within this camp, they were rough with each other. He had watched a few fights break out and he wasn't sure if they were actually angry or doing it for fun. The humans weren't much different, and he definitely didn't like being around them. Especially not the men who caused him much more pain physically. 

Cyrus had taken notice of a human that wore a dark blue tunic whom he heard be referred to as 'commander'. They seemed to get along really well with the orcs. 

He could see them sitting with the green orc from before, Durlag was his name, at least that's what Cyrus thought he heard him be called. An idea popped in his head, one he didn't particularly like, but perhaps it was something he needed to do. 

Looking at Shireen he talked lowly in elvish. "I'm going to talk to the human commander, I want to ask him about Yaarlarth. I just don't want to be caught going over there, do you think you can cause some kind of distraction?" 

Shireen and the other elves looked worried, but agreed to do it. They didn't see Malach coming back yet and they were quite bored.

 "We will sing and dance around the fire. Hopefully that will keep the attention away from you if they come and join us. Just, don't do something stupid, okay?" 

"No promises." Cyrus smiled at her with a cocky wink, which earned him a pinch on his arm. 

Cyrus looked around as the rest of the elves started to spread around the fire and tucked himself away behind one of the logs. Shireen untied her beaded sash and held it in her hand, clapping and making a beat for the other elves to join in with her. It was the beat to an old shanty the elves were often asked to sing while entertaining back home.

The clapping and the rhythmic clanking of the beads took over the camp as the nearby humans and orcs started to quiet down to listen, getting closer to watch the commotion.

Shireen and the elves stepped around the fire in a sort of jig, spreading out so others may join in their joyous dancing. Shireen began the singing with her loud and powerful voice, she kept a playful tone in her voice to really add to the fun.

"As I strolled along the docks, 

Me eye caught-a-Busty lass, 

I steered my way o' to her, 

An' I slipped onto me ass!" 

In unison with Shireen all the elves hollered a quick and boitious "Ay!" The humans and Orcs that had approached and even the few that danced with them filled the space between the verses with some cheering. Which usually happened back home as well. 

Cyrus waited for Shireen to start the next verse as he pulled the hood over his head. 

"Me pride now bent an' bruisin', 

The docks fill'd with laugher! 

Da wench strolled on over!" 

"Did she heave ya to yer feet?!" The group shouted in response.

"Nay she did no thing!

Me eyes went wide,

Her skirt flew high!"  Shireen lifted her skirt part way to give some theatrics.

"What a lass!" They shouted. 

Shireen slapped her knee with a shake of her finger. 

"Aye caught a show!

But not fer me!

She had the rakish audacity, 

To squat and take a pee!" 

"AY!" They all yelled, their laughter echoing in the night.

Cyrus tried acting casual as he walked away from the logs he was behind and started heading over to where Durlag and the human commander was. They may have told them they are free, but he didn't want to be noticed trying to walk around alone. 

Durlag and the commander kept to the back of the group. They seemed to enjoy the singing and dancing. Steeling his nerves he approached them. Durlag noticed him before he even got close. 

"Aye. Ya need somethin' lad?" He gave the elf a worried look. 

The commander beside him raised their brow at Cyrus. Cyrus flushed at being noticed so quickly and just walked over to them. He looked at the human commander, just barely a few inches shorter, Cyrus thought they were very handsome now that he was able to see them in the fire light.

The commander gave Cyrus a soft smile, looking to Durlag they pat their shoulder. "I'll leave you to it, Malach doesn't want us upsetting the elves."

Cyrus lowered the hood of the cloak and held out his hands to stop the human commander. Behind him the singing and clapping was still ensuing. 

"I'd like to talk with you if I can…" His voice trembled as he tried speaking loud enough to be heard over the noise.

Durlag looked around. Knowing damn well Malach was going to pop over here any second now, he could pick up Malach's scent not far from them. He motioned for Cyrus to come sit down with the commander. 

"Come. You don't need ta sneak around ya know." He chuckled with a deep rumble and ploped on a log. 

Cyrus follows them and sits away from them both. Looking at the commander anxiously he holds onto his collar. His chest was pounding, his resolve was crumbling at the thought of having to talk with a human in a real conversation.

"I.. Wanted to ask about Yaarlarth. I heard someone call you the commander… and figured you were the best one to ask." He cleared his throat and quickly added, "I'm Cyrus." 

He was timid and scared. The commander smiled at him again, causing Cyrus to blush nervously.

"You can call me Leo. Compared to Vibhurik, Yaarlarth is designed similarly to Eronshire, have you ever traveled to the capital?" Leo's voice was very warm and inviting, a tad feminine but strong in a way that made you want to trust them.

 This caused a great conflict in Cyrus. Having only experienced this kind of warm and kind treatment at a cost. It kept him on edge while speaking to Leo. 

Cyrus crossed his arms over his chest. "No. But I've seen paintings of it. And maps." 

Leo nodded, sitting in a relaxed way on the log. "That works. Well, just like Eronshire our kingdom has multiple rings of walls that surround it, different districts of farms and nobles, workshops and markets. Our military stations itself under different noble houses in the different districts, these noble houses usually are the ones who manage the lands in that area under leadership of our king. Our kingdom is actually very spread out as it covers a large area of the western flatlands. If you were to come with us, you would be brought to the castle town, under the banner of Chimera." 

Cyrus seems confused and uncomfortable. Some of the words they used he only knew from reading, or listening in on conversations. He didn't know what a farm looked like. The difference between a flatland and where he lived, he didn't know. His head was swimming with questions.

"What are the people like? Are there only humans within Yaarlarth?" His talking was breathy due to his anxiety.

Leo nodded, not trying to make much of Cyrus' obvious discomfort. "As of right now, yes. Currently Yaarlarth's only allyship is with the Orcs of Vibhurik." 

"Are you still at war with.. Uh.. Aslamer? How.. How do your people view elves?" He wasn't entirely sure he said the name correctly.

Leo gave a half tilt of their head. "We are at a truce with Aslamer. It wasn't long ago that we were allied with them just before the war that ravaged our kingdoms. Many of our citizens are against the war the king had waged against them."

"But not all of them." Cyrus' words were sharp and clear. "Commander Leo, respectfully, I can't trust humans. You can claim your people would be welcoming of us, but what if some of them want us gone? All because we are elves, who have to be taught how to live. Some of us can't read. From the moment we are born we are put in shackles that keep us from casting magic. Because humans are afraid of us. Can you promise me that we won't be shackled again? That we won't be oppressed?" 

Cyrus had tears falling from his eyes at this point, his emotions getting the better of him. Wanting to say more he buries his face in his hands feeling ashamed as he believed he was acting disrespectfully. 

He felt a deep guilt inside him as he just let his anger out onto a human. "I'm sor-ry Leo… that was rude.." 

Leo spoke softly to him. "You didn't do or say anything wrong Cyrus. I can't expect you to just be ok with being around Humans… I thought perhaps it would be fine, but Malach was right." Leo paused a second with a thoughtful sigh.

"But, once those shackles are off, we have no intention of ever putting them back on you. I can't promise to know how my people may react. I wish I could. But regardless, I want you to know that no one deserves to be enslaved. And wherever you and the others decide to go, I know you will be safe." 

Durlag nods in agreement with a gruff hum. "Aye personally think ya would be safer in Yaarlarth. Our winters be extremely cold and ya never know how long they'll last, not many creatures do well in it." Scratches his chin a bit. "On second thought… Ya be fire eyes, do ya even get cold? Don't know much 'bout yer people." 

Before Cyrus can answer, he is startled by Malach walking by and sitting between him and Leo. Holding a bowl of stew and 2 rolls he offers Cyrus one of his rolls by casually holding one out to him.

Wiping away his tears on the cloak he slowly takes the roll offered. Sniffling he bows his head in thanks to Malach, then looks at Durlag. 

"We don't get cold easily… The shackles keep us from conjuring fire, but we can warm ourselves." He bites the roll, the outside had a slight crisp to it and the inside was fluffy and buttery. The elves could still be heard dancing and singing with the humans and orcs that clapped along. 

Malach lowered his mask as he started to eat. Tilting his head up to Durlag. "Thera wants you to join her by the elves as they sing." 

"Oh does she now? Or is dis yer way of getting rid of me?" Durlag chuckled.

"If Thera beds another man tonight, I warned you." Leo laughed at Malach's response. 

Durlag huffs and gets up, stomping off to find Thera. Grumbling all the way as he does. 

Malach takes a spoon full of stew, chewing the meat before speaking. 

"Leo is the only human I trust. I trust them more than some of my own… You are smart to have picked them to talk to." 

Cyrus swallows some of the roll, taking a look at Leo, who puts their arm over Malachs shoulder and laughs, pinching his cheek. Cyrus smiled. But he wondered why this Orc had placed such high trust in this human. It had seemed many other Orcs trusted them as well. Were they a couple? Was that kind of relationship normal to these people?

"Look at you being all sentimental. What kind of orc are you Mala?" Leo teased him playfully. 

Malach rolled his eyes, shifting away from them and trying not to spill his food.

"Watch it human, I'll throw you into a tree." 

Leo loudly laughed, the tone in their voice making Cyrus question if they were a man or not. He was confused, but nonetheless Leo was very attractive. And now that he could see Malach's face he flushed a bit seeing he was also attractive. 

"You 2.. Seem like good friends." Cyrus said softly, shoving the rest of the roll in his mouth to calm himself down. Hoping that comment helped get some information.

Leo peeked over and smiled. "This big bastard has been stuck with me for 2 years, almost 3." 

Malach drank down the rest of his stew, stuffing his roll into Leo's mouth and getting up. 

Leo looked surprised but happily accepted the roll. Malach lifted his mask before turning to Cyrus. It was unclear to him if Malach was upset or annoyed in any way and it made Cyrus nervous. 

"Is there anything else you want to discuss with Leo? You and the others should get some rest before the morning but I won't force you to go to sleep if you aren't ready." 

Cyrus couldn't think of anything and shook his head. He stood up and bowed to Leo. "Thank you for your time, have a good night." 

Leo held the roll to their chest and lowered their head. "Have a good night Cyrus." 

That simple gesture was odd for someone to give to a slave. It felt wrong to him, but also refreshing. 

Malach pat Leo on the head, getting a swat from them in return. With a smile on his face he walked with Cyrus to the elves. Effectively becoming a party pooper, he walked right through the crowd and held up a hand to silence them. Cyrus urged the elves to follow them. 

The soldiers were bummed but it was time to retire and get the watchers stationed. 

Malach was quiet as the group of elves followed him. They yawned, one after another. Getting to his tent he pulled back the tent flap, the lantern inside flickering. 

"It might be a little cramped." 

The elves peeked in, cleaning off their feet before going in; they just seemed surprised. Cramped where? This tent was bigger than the sleeping quarters they often shared which was hardly anything more than old dirty rugs thrown in a broom closet. 

Shireen turned around to look at Malach in the entrance. "These furs are for us to lay on?" 

Malach assumed orc beds were just confusing. He nodded to her. "The furs you lay on, the wool roll for your head, you might have to share some of the woven blankets." 

Upon watching the elves sit onto the furs it dawned on Malach that they didn't have beds before. 

"You didn't have to do this much for us, this is your bed King Malach, you needn't show such kindness to lowly slav-…Elves…" One of the smaller elves was too afraid to sit down looked at him with a mix of gratitude and fear. 

Malach stood in the entryway, he was upset that something like this meant so much to them. Perhaps he just didn't understand the extent of which they had suffered. It made him want to strangle Stein. He sighed softly. 

"Tonight it's your bed. Lay down and get comfortable. I will wake you when morning comes." With that he closed the tent flaps and took a seat outside the tent.

 Closing his eyes, his heart hurt as he heard them crying and talking amongst themselves. They discussed what they were to do. Malach felt like a peeping tom and tried focusing his hearing on other conversations and making sure nothing suspicious was going on. His mood turned sour when he heard grunting and unfavorable noises from one of the tents. 

"I need to stuff my ears…" He groaned under his breath. 

Cyrus and the others sat in the furs and came to the conclusion a majority of them felt safer with the Orcs. A few of them had taken a particular liking to Malach, and Thera. They had hoped that with a smaller kingdom it would be easier to adapt. Yaarlarth sounded intimidating. 

Cyrus yawned sleepily once they made their conclusion and decided they should sleep.  He looked over everyone to make sure they were all laying down before he turned off the lantern. 

He carefully made his way onto a bedfur. Some of the elves cried in happiness as they laid in the furs. Some of them cuddled together. Cyrus held onto the wool roll, hugging it tightly. He still just couldn't believe that he was free. 'Maybe it will feel more real with the shackles off..' 

With that thought he fell asleep. And for the first time he was able to dream.

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