Wild Wastes: Chapter 3 (Patreon)

It was early the next morning that Vince made the call to pack up and go.

Fes plucked at his leather armor and worried at a buckle. Her callused green fingers rechecked, tightened straps, and pulled on attachments.

“Fes, stop,” Vince said softly with a chuckle. He took her hands in his own and gave them a squeeze. “It’s on as tight as it can go and everything is secure.”

“I know. I don’t like you going without me. I’m your Fes. I can’t even send my Second in my place. I trust Petra,” the Orc said, glancing to one side where Petra was speaking with Thera and Eva.

Such an interesting change in those two.

“Trust in Thera and Eva then. They’re stronger than you think. All will be well.

“I’ll be off to Verix, and back before you know it. Hopefully with a trade agreement and safe passage rights. If we can begin to establish a safe corridor.” Vince knew in his heart that this meeting would be the first steps to a attempt a lasting peace for both peoples.

If you can pull it off.

Fes only nodded her head, her black eyes scouring his face. Then she pressed a soft kiss to his lips and stepped back. “I’ve given your saber a keen edge, as well as your hunting knife. I also oiled the blades and re-wrapped the hilts.

“If you find suitable wives, make sure Karya agrees before you make any claims. Thera and Eva are both already approved by everyone should the chance arise.

“I expect you to return, at the least, in one piece. At best, with more wives or concubines. Power and strength through our family. Do you understand?”

Orc society at it’s finest.

“I do, Berenga. I do.” Vince gave her a smile, and a bow of his head to her. Turning on his heel he moved over to Petra. She wheeled herself around at his approach, her legs bringing her to face him in a heartbeat as he neared.

“This one will miss you as well. Obey Fes, listen to Karya, claim the Elves.” Petra leaned down into him, pressing her face into his neck.

As quickly as her tenderness came, it went, her legs carrying her off to Fes’ side quickly.

“Do forgive her, Sweetling, she’s still not used showing her feelings. Try to collect some Dryads while you’re out, run it by Karya for confirmation.

“Now, off with you,” Meliae said, giving him a tight hug and a wet kiss. “By the time you get back, you’ll be a father of four.

Four?

“Four?” he asked, as she moved to join Fes where the lane ended in front of the eastern gate.

“One for Berenga, one for Petra, two for me. I’m not this big for no reason silly,” Meliae called over her shoulder.

Vince nodded his head woodenly at that. He’d never thought to actually ask.

“Do you know the sex o-”

“Yes, I do. No, I won’t tell you. Surprise for your return. Go, shoo. Fes and Petra shouldn’t be up and about if I can prevent it.” Meliae began shepharding Fes and Petra back towards their home when she reached them.

Petra cast him a backwards glance and a worried smile before they turned a corner and vanished from his sight.

“Come, master. I’m eager to watch you as a Ranger.”

“Yes, Lord. Teach us so that we may better ourselves.”

The Elves were eager. Beyond eager.

He would be alone with them except for one horny Dryad. This would be there chance to get what they wanted.

And everyone knew it.

“I can’t wait to watch you make them squirm under your… tutelage… Darling,” Karya said sweetly.

Especially the Dryad.

They’d made significantly good time in their trip to the east.

Having already reached the point that the Sierra Nevada range ended and spit them out onto the border between California and Nevada in only a few days.

Vince had taken them south off the beaten path and into a lesser used road, making sure that they didn’t give any information away to whatever scouts or spies the High Elves had sent.

Maybe he was being paranoid, maybe he wasn’t. It cost them effort and a day at worst to make it harder for their would be allies to find them.

It was also a good opportunity to give Thera and Eva Ranger training. As a Wood Elf, Eva needed almost none of it. For her, most of what he discussed and attempted to teach her was already known, in some fashion. To his mind it was as if he were merely making her aware of instincts she had, but hadn’t used logically.

Thera on the other hand, being a city bred Dark Elf needed the lessons. As any Elf would though, she took to it quickly enough and soon they were moving through the wild lands at a quick pace.

Karya, as a Dryad, was a natural of course when it came to areas that had trees and foliage.

They were waiting in a copse of hills to the south west of the meeting location. They could see the lake and plains from where they were.

Thera was snuggled up to the base of a tree, a small book open in front of her, and her fingers working a pencil back and forth.

She had an eye for art and sketching, and had taken the time whenever she had to draw the world around her. It was surprising to him. A pleasant one.

Eva on the other end, Wood Elf to the core, seemed happy to clamber up into a tree and do whatever it was she did up there.

I wonder if Eva has a hobby, too.

Elysia prefers chess and reading.

Meliae’s turned to knitting.

Fes, Petra, and Daphne spar when they have free time.

Karya was hunched over a small sapling, her fingers tenderly stroking tiny buds and dainty branches.

Then we have the sex monster, tree-mender.

“Can you save the patient, Doctor Karya?” Vince asked, his eyes moving up to the plain beneath them. They still had a week to go before the High Elves would be arriving.

He turned his eyes back to her.

“Indeed, my love. It only needs some attention. It’ll develop nicely even after we’ve moved on,” Karya said in a soft voice. She ran a delicate finger tip along the trunk, a pale green color suffusing the sapling.

“Oh? Like a certain Dryad I know that’s been basking in attention since we started this trip?” Vince said with a grin, watching her.

Karya’s cheeks colored, her eyes darting to him, then back to her patient. She spoke under her breath, to the point that he had to strain to hear it.

“I admit I’m enjoying all the attention I’m getting. Your Elves are growing depressed though. You really should nurture them. Starting with one in particular. Soon.”

Imperceptibly, Karya pointed a slim finger towards the tree Eva had clambered up into. Matched with the volume she’d spoken at, he doubted the Elves would have heard that.

Thinking on the situation, Eva had definitely become a touch reclusive. Her eyes slid off him whenever it got closer to the evening. When he would inevitably retreat to Karya’s bedroll.

“Why, why does-”

“Because it makes sense to everyone. Why are you against claiming a willing wife? You’re acting spineless. We’re done talking about this.

“By the way, I’m afraid I’m going into my moon sickness. You’re on your own for a while,” Karya said. Then she got up and wandered off deeper into the trees.

Vince sighed and leaned his head back, resting it on the tree he was propped up against.

Can’t get moonsickness when you’re pregnant. Or is that the point of saying it. She’s telling me I won’t have an easy release for a while.

As if waiting for just a situation, Eva dropped down out of the tree and slunk over to him.

“Are you well, Master?”

Her voice was soft, cautious, curious. Those large eyes dug into him, seeking an answer. They were intense.

Hopeful.

“Quite well, Eva. Thank you for checking.” Vince hesitated for a moment.

He really was being stupid about the whole thing. Wasn’t he?

“Eva, if I asked you to share my bed, what would you say?” He asked straight and to the point.

Out of the corner of his eye he caught Thera’s head come up, then move to one side. Her ear now pointing directly towards him.

He’d said it deliberately loud enough for Thera to hear it. This concerned her too, of course.

Blinking once, Eva slowly turned her face down and to one side, her eyes peering at him indirectly.

It was a strange look she gave him. Predatory, concerned, and wary.

“I’d want to know why you wanted me in your bed.” she said slowly. “You tell me I’m not a concubine, so I’d like to hear the reasoning, Master.”

Vince felt his eyebrows come together at that.

What did he want out of his relationships? With everyone it was a question of emotions and feelings. Even Karya and Daphne evoked feelings of care and tenderness from him.

Did he have that towards the Elves? To Eva?

He’d fought against it at every turn, had he ever stopped and explored what he was fighting exactly?

“I could never claim you aren’t beautiful, Eva. Or that my skin heats up when you get too close to me. Or the way you move and carry yourself,” Vince admitted. Turning his eyes skyward he searched his inner self.

The easiest way he’d ever gauged his feelings before was imagining her with someone else.

Like if Eva took on a lover and-

“Because the idea of you being with another man makes me nauseous and angry,” he finished lamely as his stomach went sideways at the idea of Eva sleeping with another man.

Eva head tilted back towards him and her lips parted.

“Den master! I’ve found you,” squeaked a Ratfolk, sliding up to his side. Blades of grass fluttered in the air behind the diminutive scout.

Ratfolk looked pretty much like rats, though they walked, stood, and generally moved as a bipedal humanoid would. They were barely above two feet tall and could see in the dark.

Great forward scouts.

“Greetings, Set,” Vince said, smiling down at the Ratfolk. “I assume you have news to report?”

“Den master, news, yes. Elves come early. Gert tracking their trail backwards. Ris is in the field, watching.” The Ratfolk bobbed his head rapidly. “I’m here to tell Den master.”

“You’ve done well. Now, how many Elves were there?”

One had to be deliberate and gentle with Ratfolk for the best answers.

“One paw.” Five. “And four claws.” Four extra, so nine. Set held up his paws, displaying the number on his fingers.

“The four extra. Did they look like scouts?”

“Yes, Den master. Gert said they were scouts. They left quick, quick. Began searching.”

Vince held his hand up to his chin, his fingers stroking his jaw as he thought. “Good work, Set. Go back to Ris and await orders. If you’re engaged, retreat and get back to Yosemite.”

“Yes, yes Den master.” Set turned and scurried off, his furry body vanishing in the long bladed grass.

Eva shifted her weight around, watching him. Thera had come over, her book and pencil held in one hand while she waited for orders.

“Eva, could you track down Karya and get her over here? I think our time’s been spent.”

The Wood Elf popped up to a standing position and then flitted off. Thera moved over to her pack and slipped the pencil and book inside.

“Lord, do we prepare for combat?” asked the Dark Elf as she began closing the flaps again.

“Unfortunately. I’d love to believe they’re peaceful, but only a fool gives trust to someone he has no reason to.”

Thera agreed with a nod of her head.

Reaching back behind her head, she gathered her raven dark hair and tied it up with a loop of leather cord. Lifting her sword free from the sheath she let it go, checking the pull on it.

Vince watched the warrior Elf as she made her preparations. Vince then internalized his thoughts. He had to prepare what he wanted to say to the ambassadors.

Suddenly, he found himself wishing he was still just a Ranger, running from coast to coast with the mail.

Being a postman was a lot easier.

The High Elves didn’t seem surprised to see Vince when he showed up in front of them.

They were more than aware I’d left already.

That and the fact that they’d set up a portable pavilion made out of cloth as if they were already expecting him. Not a word had been spoken yet and he wasn’t really sure how to begin.

Vince smiled casually across the table at the three High Elves arranged in front of him. They were all older, having the look of men in their sixties.

And from what he knew of Elven lifespans, that meant they were pretty frickin’ old.

They stared back at him, their hands folded in front of them.

“At least he brought some entertainment for later,” muttered one of them. It was so soft Vince would have missed it if it wasn’t for his extraordinary hearing.

The eyes of the one who spoke moved up to Thera, Eva, and Karya behind him.

Seriously? They think I brought bed toys?

I don’t have time for this tired ass bull shit.

“No. They’re not here for entertainment. They’re my companions and loved ones.

“Now, I’ve come on behalf of Yosemite city, by your request. How would you like to begin this conference?” Vince asked simply.

The Elf on the lefts face puckered in a sour grimace, the middle one sat up straight, and the one on the right clenched his hands together.

“We would never request to meet with a human,” the one of the left through gritted teeth.

“Great, than I’ll be leaving. I have things to do and if this was a waste of time, so be it.” Vince stood up and pushed his chair in.

“Wait,” said the Elf in the corner. His voice was soft but firm. “My name is Caern. My apologies, please forgive these three.”

Caern was younger than the other three, had been dressed in simpler attire, and had hung in the back so far.

Vince didn’t stop, and picked up his messenger bag and picked up the folder Elysia had prepared for him.

“Please. We did request your presence and we’ve come in good faith. I apologize for them, again.”

Vince stopped, looking to the young Elf with a flat stare.

“Sit, please. This was an error. The politicking of old Elves who don’t understand the world.” Caern stood between two of the older Elves now, his hands gesturing to the chair Vince had left.

Clicking his tongue Vince considered leaving. He didn’t have any desire to be here, and this really was a reasonable excuse that would get him out of here in a hurry.

“You three, leave. Now,” Caern said, gesturing to the three sitting at the table.

“Now se-”

“I d-”

“Leave, or I’ll kill you and hand your heads over to the King of Yosemite as a gift,” hissed Caern.

At that, the other three got up, and angrily left, their eyes promising death and pain to the young Elf.

Vince wasn’t completely convinced this wasn’t all for his benefit. He’d seen similar negotiation tactics in the past. Where one person took on the role of the villain and the other the hero. One would be more inclined to work with the hero with a positive attitude and trust.

Narrowing his eyes, Vince pulled out his chair and sat back down.

Saying nothing, he was determined to let his opponent show their hand first.

Behind him, he heard the creek of Eva’s leather armor, and Thera’s chain mail hauberk rustling.

They were preparing themselves to launch an attack at any second.

“Your compatriots seem high strung,” Caern said, taking the vacated center seat.

“Be thankful I didn’t bring my Troll. She takes offense to those who are rude to me. We almost fed your messengers to her on our first meeting when they attacked me.

“And to be honest, so far, I’m non-plussed and see no reason to deal or treat with you and your kind. You’ve been as bad as… well… humans.”

Vince smirked at Caern. He hoped the man was insulted.

Caern’s eyes scrunched for a microsecond, his mouth flattening to a line, his nostrils flaring. Mastering himself, the Elf held up a hand. “It is as you say, I’m afraid. We’ve been terrible neighbors.

“I’d like to fix that. First, I’d like to invite you to Verix, the city itself. A guest of honor.

“Second, I believe we can begin with a simple non-aggression pact between Verix and Yosemite. This would only be until we can negotiate a trade agreement.”

Vince controlled himself as best as he could. Going to their city wasn’t in his plans, but the other half of his statement was welcome news.

“Though I must confess, we’re under a bit of a crisis.”

Ah, here it is. Always a catch.

“But this is neither the time or place to discuss that. Would you be willing to accept a non-aggression treaty and the invitation?”

“No,” Vince said bluntly. “I’ve no reason to trust you, or put myself in your city, as your ‘guest’ and at your mercy.”

“I … see. Ah, would you be willing to do so under a life-oath from myself and the others here?”

“Nope. That’s great for your own word, but it holds no one underneath you responsible. Pass.

“I’m saddened for this conference to end here, but unless you can offer me some type of iron-clad guarantee on my safety, I wouldn’t be willing to walk into the proverbial lion’s den.”

Vince shrugged his shoulders. He wasn’t stupid or foolish.

He trusted in no one until they earned it.

Caern’s face was a mask of neutrality at the moment. He was doing a much better job of masking his emotions right now than earlier.

Though his fingers were pressed tight to the table between them.

“If it helps bridge the gap, I’d be willing to travel to the outskirts of the city, but I don’t plan on entering it under any reason. It doesn’t do to turn ones-self into a ready made hostage.”

“And if our entire ruling council offered guest-rights on top of that life-oath?”

Elysia had told him they’d get to that point eventually. At that point, they’d be putting themselves on a magical debt level that would annihilate the entire city’s population if they broke it.

It wasn’t something they would offer unless he put them into an untenable situation. Where he refused every possibility up to that point.

“I’d accept at that point, though I’d want the guest rights, and oath, before entering the city. My retainers,” Vince said and motioned over his shoulder to the three ladies behind him. “Can act as contractors for the magical side. They’ve all been thoroughly schooled in the matter.”

Caern peered at Vince intently, before giving him a wide predator's grin. “You were waiting for the guest rights.”

Saying nothing, Vince stood back up and collected his possessions. “We’ll be traveling to Verix and will announce ourselves when we arrive. I would hope the oath and rites can be established within a few hours of that point.

“Good day.”

Turning on his heel, Vince left and set off to the north west, in the opposite direction of where his scouts were hiding.

Ass-hats.