The Fell War - Chapter 10 (Patreon)

The meeting broke soon after that, the delegations leaving to return to their boats. They had armies to build, after all, and they had no time to waste.

“How are we doing this?” Atticus inquired, the guild council wandering down the main thoroughfare of the city. “We need an army, but how are we going to get one?”

“Volunteers, I hope,” June said. “I feel uneasy about the idea of a draft.”

“No draft,” Alfre agreed. “Though I doubt we’d need one. Our people have heard first hand what Granato has done to Heart. We Fell are proud people, probably more so than we should be. An attack against any of us is an attack against all of us.

“That said, there should definitely be some restrictions,” she continued. “I’d rather no one under level twenty-five come along unless they’re going to be backline healers. We don’t need stupidly brave cannon fodder.”

“There aren’t a whole lot of Fell around here who are lower than level twenty-five anyway,” Maldrom said. “Though, a lot of the little ones from Heart are that weak. Shame, they’re the ones who want to fight the most.”

“I can understand their desire for justice…or revenge, which ever it is,” Alfre said. “But I’d rather them not die and end up trapped in the Cathedral.”

“Speaking of,” Cherry spoke up. “How are we going to trap the Fell in there? We’d have to reach the city first.”

“Send ahead a squad of rogues and monks,” Hunter suggested. “Have them infiltrate the city with a few clerics and have them bar the Cathedral doors.”

“It’s as good a plan as any,” Spica agreed. “Perhaps while they’re there, someone could galvanize the people still trapped in the City.”

“You should take Ren with you, if that’s your goal,” Ran said. “She’s good at the whole ‘galvanizing’ thing.”

“She is,” Elias agreed. “If anyone can incite a revolution, it’s Ren.”

“Izo and I will go back to the Kingdom and tell her what’s been decided,” Ran offered. “I can promise you, we’ll come back with the whole guild in tow.”

Alfre smiled at him. “Thank you, my friend.”

Ran nodded and he and Izo broke off from the group, heading in the direction of the stables. They’d be taking off within the hour, Alfre knew, pushing their elk to the breaking point if it meant getting back to the Crystal Moon Kingdom as quickly as possible. Ren would be excited. It’d been forever since the queen had done much of anything this dangerous. She was probably itching for a fight.

Alfre and her guild mates broke off from the procession, having reached their guildhall. Wally was waiting for them, as he always was. He didn’t even blink at Canus and Abital’s presence anymore.

“What did they decide?” he asked, wringing his hands nervously. His face was paler than usual, his freckles standing out all the more for it.

“They agreed,” Alfre announced. “We’re going to war. They’re already on their way back to their cities to raise armies. Ran and Izo have taken off to rally their guild.”

“I see,” Wally murmured. His gaze fell to the floor. “I wish I could go with you; wish I could be of some use. But I’m not a fighter, nor am I any good as a healer. I’m just a farmhand, and a housekeeper.”

Alfre frowned. She didn’t want Wallace getting into danger, but at the same time she didn’t want to leave him behind. The guildhall was far too big for one person. He was bound to get lonely. Surely there was something he could do.

“Well, you may not be a fighter,” Elias interjected. “But I’m sure the fighters would be grateful for comforting food. And I’m sure they’ll need someone to remind them that Wonderlanders can be kind.”

Wallace’s eyes shined with newfound determination. “You’re right, Mister Elias. An army can’t fight on an empty stomach, now, can it?”

“Speaking of Wonderlanders,” Spica said. “Do you think Alessio would be willing to come fight with us?”

“Definitely,” Alfre agreed. “He still insists that he owes us. And if he was willing to help with the evacuation, surely he’d be willing to help with the fighting.”

“Best send him a letter, then,” Elias suggested. “He needs to know what we’re doing before he agrees to throw himself headfirst in to the cause.”

Alfre agreed, already marching off to her private chambers on the fourth floor. Time was of the essence, and she couldn’t waste time. She sat herself down at her desk, blank parchment before her, but found herself unable to find the right words. Surely, one must be delicate when it came to announcing war. She had to make sure she didn’t make it seem like they expected Alessio to join them. It was entirely his choice after all, and he had much more to lose than they did. Wonderlanders actually died, supposedly. Mobs respawned, yes, but she couldn’t be sure that someone like Alessio would.

She must have spent hours staring at that blank page of parchment, for when she finally broke her train of thought, Wally was bringing her supper.

“How’s the letter writing going?” he asked, and Alfre couldn’t help but noticed he avoided calling her ‘Miss Alfre’ when he did so.

“Poorly,” she sighed. “I can’t seem to find the right words.”

Wally set the tray of food down beside her on the desk, the smell of fresh bread and warm soup filling her nose. “I wouldn’t think too much about it. His Royal Highness knows you too well to expect anything fancy or overly delicate. You’re his friend, Alfre, write to him as a friend. He’ll understand any intentions well enough.”

Alfre said nothing, simply humming in acknowledgement. Her eyes returned to the parchment on the desk, spinning her pen idly in her hand. Perhaps Wally was right. She was overthinking things. Alessio was her friend, and the best way to talk with a friend was honestly.

She set pen to paper and began to write.