novelxo Chapter Chapter Eighteen
Tanis stood upon the ramparts of the City of the Dark Knight, after what seemed like an eternity after it fell to him, with Perrick and his foster father Toirin Talis. Looking out onto the field they had fought upon a year earlier brought a little sparkle to Tanis’s eye. The land was green again. Farmers moved upon the sprouting rows with a spring in their step that had for a long time not been there and for some it had never been there. People were stopping every so often and talking in the fields and men and women laughed and enjoyed their lives.
“Look at those people. Throughout the kingdom this is the scene. People happy. People enjoying life. They no longer live in fear nor look at each other as a spy to their lord. Why Perrick, I had even heard talk that the people think you were Elven trained yourself. This scene just shows you what it is we are fighting for.” Said Tanis to Perrick.
“It is true that the people are happy, my lord. They produce far more in a year than they have in centuries according to the records. I am grateful for your trust in ruling your people. I only hope to fulfill your expectations.” Replied Perrick.
“It is hard to miss expectations, young one, when none are placed on you!” Laughed the king of the elves. “Why, Tanis himself could not do a better job and could expect no more than he himself is capable of. By the way Tanis, I have a gift for you. It will seem weird but it is truly a gift that you will see benefit from in the near future. Come with me, the two of you. Come see the latest in a long list of things I have arranged for you. I give you this before I leave for home, my son. You can handle the rest of your life without my holding your hand. My people need me now. So you will have to give me leave to go to them. Besides your mother is definitely not happy that I have been gone so long.”
The king of the elves brought Tanis and Perrick down a hallway and down to the courtyard. In the center of the courtyard a group of warriors stood talking to Artitous and Lord Nargus. The leader of the band stood in what appeared to be heated argument with Nargus, and large groups of his men that at first appeared to be lounging at their ease suddenly took on a more deadly calm. Though appearing at ease they truly were ready to spring to their lord’s aid at a moments notice.
“What is going on here?” asked Tanis as he strode into the courtyard.
“Someone let these heathen monsters enter our keep! Imagine letting these savages into your presence. It would be my eyes and my tongue if I were to allow such a thing to occur!” said Lord Nargus.
“And I tell you Nargus that we were invited and your prejudice against my people needs to end. We come at your lord’s request. We really do not know even why we are here. There has not been a battle here in over a year. Now if you will move aside so we can approach your master, maybe we can all get some answers.” Said a distinctly female voice.
“Woman of the Tyris! Be welcome in my son’s home. Nargus you fool get your men back to their posts and stop this foolishness right now. These women are our guests and need to be treated as such. Savages you call them? Why is that Nargus? Because they do things a little different from what you are used to? Remember the day we took this fine city? I refused to take the command of it because I felt that the dwarves were not worthy of my help. I know now that I was wrong and hope that they forgive me for my blindness that has for so long kept me from working hand in hand with our brothers.” Said King Talis.
“Talis, you said that there was need of me here and yet I see no wars, no battles. What is the meaning of this?” asked the woman’s voice again.
“Athinina, please forgive the urgency of my letter. It was necessary that your arrival was in the greatest of haste. I apologize if I have misled you. There is a great deal that must be done and it must be done shortly. I feel a shifting in the air and I feel that time grows short for us again.” Replied Toirin Talis.
“The name is Lady Targul. And I will not be addressed so informally by the likes of you without my leave. I have never been as slighted as I have just been and I am hard pressed to remain here with the likes of you total primitive ignorants. I have seen better manners from the crows and vultures after a battle. My ladies! Prepare to ride!” said Athinina.
“Please wait, my lady. I apologize for the behavior of my man and for the forwardness of my father. Please accept my hospitality until we can all get to the bottom of this mess. I am Tanis Thalin and these are my lands. I wish to know his reasoning and know why it was he summoned a group of beautiful women such as yourselves to my present home.” Said Tanis.
“Well, insults as well as ignorance. Beautiful? Would you call Nargus there beautiful? How about that horse there? Is it because my reproductive organs are on the inside rather that out that you call me beautiful? I and my people are warriors! We are not something to ogled and adored. We are for the purpose of disposing of the dark powers that are consuming this world. If this is the last hope of the free people, I fear all is lost. Mount and Ride my Tyris!” shouted Athinina.
“Please wait and join me at my table at the least. Let me make up for my insults. And as for your questions, well yes, I call Nargus beautiful all the time and especially my horse there. It has done well by me for many a year. As for where your reproductive organs are, well that matters little to me, but of what I can see, you are definitely well endowed and truly blessed amongst your kind.” Grinned Tanis.
“I may come to like you yet,” said Athinina, “But do not get your hopes up. Tyris go to the mess and get yourselves some chow. I go to the hospitality of these people be ready since these people do not know are ways. Do your best to blend in. Now Lord Thalin, shall we go?”
“My name is Tanis, my Lady Targul. And I welcome you into my home.” Said Tanis.
“Oh no, my lord, call me Athinina.” Said the warrior queen.