Hope is only an Illusion

[Anvael Andares]

OOC: Thought the title was fitting since the first thread is called “A Glimmer of Hope”, and this thread is about fake negotiations and a treaty that will probably be broken.

Continued from here.

When the orcs arrived they would see that the delegation from Taralon was already waiting. They were waiting where the previous meeting had taken place, under the tree. A circle of spears had been erected around the tree, much like before, but this time the spears came from Taralon, and the men and women that were standing outside the circle wore uniforms in the colors of Sherian. There were a dozen of them. Each one carried a sword and a spear and rode a horse. The difference to the warriors of Ire was obvious. The Governor’s guards were much more professional than the orcs could ever hope to be.

Inside the circle a table and two chairs could be found. Two flags hung from one of the lowest branches of the tree: The white flag of peace and the flag of Sherian. One of the chairs was already occupied. A young Esh’lahier set on it. He wore a fine dark suit, but armor was hidden under those clothes. The last meeting had gone well, but he was not so sure about this one. He had not told anybody besides the Regent and the Minister of War about that secret plan, but what if the orcs had found out about it nevertheless?

He turned around to look at his bodyguard that was standing behind his chair. “You need to watch the one opposite of me at all times”, he told him before he adressed the other guards outside, “Don’t let anybody but the City Master past the barrier. Only let him enter if he puts his weapons down. Nobody else is allowed to come closer then ten feet. Don’t provoke them. Only attack if they give you a reason. And remember, we ae here to talk about peace and not make enemies.” He hated this. Today he’d likely finalize that peace treaty, and he would have to break it again in a few cycles’ time. It was the best for Sherian – neither the people of his province nor the Imperial Government would ever support him if he decided on peace, and it would be his political death if he didn’t go to war, but still, he would have to break a promise. He’d never broken a promise.

“Watch the Governor”, his bodyguard told the others. “His safety comes first. You need to protect him with your lives.”

Anvael only nodded at this and waited for the inevitable – the arrival of the orcish delegation.

[Steve]

Once again, snarls and growls could be heard through the trees about 100 yards from the meeting site. Shadows could be seen lurking between the trees, large shadows and at times, glimpses of the Worg beasts that the Orcs were riding. Three Orcs dismounted from their Worgs within the treeline and walked out into the open.

The Horde Master walked across the distance from the trees to the rise where Anvael was sitting.

He was flanked by two Orcs, one on each side of him. The Orc guards with him were slightly out of the ordinary. The usual green skinned orc is what most people see but this orc was massive (over 6ft tall) and had black-ish skin instead of green or tan. They held some wicked sickle-looking halberds and kite shields. On the face of the shields were what looked like three spires representing the city of Ire drawn in in black. The guards had crossbows strapped to their backs as well and wore black armor breastplates. One of the Orcs carried a rather large cloth sack as well.

One of the Orc guards announced his leader:
"Vrassun Tallarak. Gothmog Ushtar Orckon!" he bellowed.

Vrassun entered the circle and took his seat just he had at their previous meeting, like a human general on the battlefield entering a meeting with his subordinates. The two guards that accompanied him remained outside the circle of spears. The Horde Master glared at the Governor with his orange eyes. One could not tell if the Orc was happy or angry with that scowl permanently fixed upon his face, or it may have been a smile.

Before anyone spoke, Vrassun nodded to the Orc holding the bag. In a moment the bag was emptied and the Governor saw that the contents were his brother Malkaer. The Thane was naked and hog-tied. His already battle scarred body had a large fresh bruise on the side of his hip. Malkaer was conscious and most likely very uncomfortable but he gave every indication of being well in control of himself.

[Malkaer Andares]

Exactly as planned from the very beginning, Malkaer allowed his ‘captors’ to unleash him before his dear brother. The esh’lahier blinked with his eyes. He expected to be thrown before a dangerous creature in an arena. Instead the naked elf was thrown in another arena of sorts. As he recognized his brother the embarrassment was the greater.

“So this is the perfidious wretch who will buy me?” The esh’lahier exclaimed, pretending not to know Anvael and taking him for a slave merchant. “Well Sir these brutes are ripping you off, that’s for sure.” He wriggled a bit in his uncomfortable position to no avail. The ropes were tied to tight and hurt his wrists only.

[Anvael Andares]

There was nothing out of the ordinary as far as Anvael was concerned. The orcs were sill riding wargs, there were neither too many nor too few of them, Vrassun was still an ugly black-skinned savage, and it was still impossible to tell whether he was happy to be here or not. The cloth sack that one of his guards was carrying did catch the Governor’s attention though, and he could not help but wonder what was in it. A present? He doubted it. A corpse? A dead animal that they’d sacrifice to whatever evil god they prayed to once the negotations were over?

He pulled his gaze away and focused his attention on the City Master. “I welcome you, Gothmog Ushtar”, he said. He’d wanted to say something else as well, mention the things they would have to talk about this brightening, but he forgot everything as Vrassun’s guard emptied the bag. This was a nightmare, no, more like a bad horror story. The bag contained his older brother, the Thane of Taralon, naked and tied. What had Malkaer gotten himself into? Anvael had always been the one who got into trouble, who kept the company of questionable people, of zombies and orcs and Ikomancers. Malkaer had only been in prison once as far as he knew.

Did the orcs know who they had captured? Did they know that this man was his brother? He looked at Malkaer. Had this been another brightening, a slightly different situation, Malkaer’s predicament would have amused him. But these here were orcs, and the situation could become very dangerous. He took a moment to think before he spoke.

“He does seem to be healthy.” He took a closer look at Malkaer, completely ignoring what he had said. It seemed as if his brother wanted him to pretend that he was interested in buying slaves and facing a complete stranger, and he decided to play along. Maybe the orcs didn’t have a clue who had been in their sack …

“Although he is a bit older than I would have preferred. I usually like them younger. It is easier to break children, to make them obey. Still, I think I could use him …” He hated talking like this. Anvael had never enjoyed lying, he hated slavers or even pretending to be one, but when the life of a sibling was concerned … He had to do it, had to try everything or he would never be able to forgive himself!

But what … what if the orcs didn’t believe them? What if they were aware that they had captured the Thane? What if they had found out about Malkaer’s plan for them? What if …

He looked at Vrassun, waiting for an explanation, a reaction. What was going on here?

[Steve]

Vrassun seemed to ignore the Governor's greeting and after the bag had been emptied he pointed to Malkaer lying on the ground and said, "Udders in Orckon wanna kill the spy. I wanna give 'im back ta ya. Maybe show ya we want peace. If ya don't claim 'im, gonna feed 'im ta da Worgs. What ya say?"

He obviously also ignored the comments made by both Anvael and Malkaer after Malkaer was dumped on the ground.

The black skinned Orc gave no indication of why he thought that Malkaer was a spy but he seemed dead serious that if Anvael did not acknowledge Malkaer as his spy, his brother would be eaten by the Worgs.

Whatever his reason, Vrassun was forcing the issue and felt that he succeeded in putting the Governor in an awkward position and himself in a position of generosity. The Black Orc felt that if he was wrong, then at least the Worgs would get a treat. Nothing would be lost except for the Esh'lahier lying on the ground, who was of no value to the Orcs. Vrassun had no idea that Malkaer was the Thane of Taralon and the brother of Anvael.

[Anvael Andares]

The orc ignored everything they said. He’d not thought he would believe this slavery story anyway. Not even an orc was that stupid. But despite that, it wasn’t that bad. Vrassun didn’t seem to have a clue that his captive was the Thane of Taralon, the brother of the Governor of Sherian, that he could be a valuable hostage. That was almost enough to comfort Anvael …

… if Vrassun hadn’t said that he believed Malkaer to be a spy. Clearly the orcs didn’t like spies. It was an insult to send spies to people you said you wanted to make peace with – if those spies were caught. Malkaer wasn’t a spy of course, but how could be make it clear to Vrassun? If he told him why he knew that he wasn’t a spy, he would have to reveal his relation to Malkaer. If he didn’t achknowledge him as a spy, his brother would become worg food.

Neither option appealed to Anvael.

“Why do you think he’s a spy? What did he do?” he asked carefully.

“I’ll take him back. No man deserves to become food, no matter if he’s guilty or innocent. Your gesture is … most appreciated.” Bloody orcs. Why couldn’t they be brutal savages? Why this gesture of generosity all of a sudden? Had this been another man, he might have sacrificed him, might have denied any knowledge of spies, but he couldn’t let Malkaer die …

Bloody Imperials for putting him into a position where he was forced to break a treaty with people that seemed to want peace and be a traitor in a couple of different ways …

[Malkaer Andares]

Whether the slave story worked or not was not crucial. What was important was that Anvael realized that blurting out the truth or important information, as he sometimes naively did, was a bad idea. This he did and not only played along well but also avoided the next trick of the orcish diplomat. Admittedly it was rather crude and obvious, but still effective and the esh’lahier could compliment his sibling later on for his act. If it succeeded and Malkaer did not end up as Worg food that is.

”Your lordship is most merciful…” Malkaer whispered audibly. Hopefully he would be cut lose so that he could scuttle to Anvael’s protective side.

[Steve]

Vrassun was satisfied with the Governor's reply. The point was made and things went the way the Orc intended. He pointed at Malkaer and said, "Spy has a mark on forehead now, a marked man. He come again, he finished."

When Vrassun pointed, one of the Orc Guards took his scimitar and swiftly swung at the rope that was binding the Thane's wrists and ankles together. Enough of rope was cut so Malkaer could free his now bloody wrists and ankles. Though there was a good deal of blood, the wounds were superficial and at worse, Malkaer would have a few more scars to add to those that already decorated his body.

The Orc with the Scimitar then tossed the sack that once held Malkaer at him. Now the Esh'lahier could cover himself in some manner if he chose to.

[Malkaer Andares]

The esh’lahier undid the remainder of his ropes. His stiff muscles ached from the hours of captivity. Only iron will and infinite pride allowed Malkaer to stand up straight without buckling to his knees. After a shifty look at the head orc he walked over to Anvael’s side of the circle. What Vrassun did not know was that he himself was marked too. Although all greenskins looked alike Malkaer thought he could pick out this ugly one out of thousands.

Malkaer caught the sack but did not don it. Better to be naked than covered in rags was the nobleman’s opinion. After a bow to his brother he left the ring of spears on the side of the Sherianites. Hopefully Anvael’s bodyguards had better clothes for him. Then he would stick around and listen to the negotiations.

[Steve]

Once Malkaer was out of the way, Vrassun turned to the Governor and said, "Now dat ya got yer spy back, tell me why ya call me here. Ya got more ta say 'bout what we talked 'bout?"

None of the Orcs paid any attention to Malkaer and probably would not unless he did something unexpected. To them he was a spy who was no longer of any value because had been caught.

Positioned overhead at an altitude of about 100 meters was a small balloon with a gondola, the kind used by the local Gnomes.

[Anvael Andares]

„He won’t come again“, Anvael assured Vrassun. He had no idea what Malkaer had done in Ire or why he had gone there, but he would have a word with his brother once they were safely back home. The Thane would not sneak around the orcish fortress anymore!

“Rest assured, he won’t leave Taralon again in the near future.” What had Malkaer been thinking, spying on the orcs? He of all people should have known better!

He looked at his brother. Apart from the mark he had received, Malkaer looked relatively healthy, and his wounds were superficial at best and would heal quickly. He hadn’t suffered any permanent damage in Ire, it seemed.

“Give him something to wear, a cloak at least”, he commanded the guards that were waiting outside the circle and turned back to Vrassun. He didn’t dare to show more interest in Malkaer than was appropriate for a man that had been caught sneaking around Ire and put them all in danger.

“I have more to say”, he confirmed. “When we last met, you said that we shouldn’t make all the decisions in one brightening. You suggested another meeting to work out the details of this new treaty. This is why I’m here.”

[Steve]

Vrassun nodded when Anvael said, "He won’t come again“. He gave no indication that Malkaer was of any further interest.

When the Governor mentioned working out the details of this new treaty, the Orc nodded, "Last time I made da proposals an' we talked. Dis time ya can make some proposals an' I listen, den we talk."

The Orc sat back and seemed relaxed as he waited to hear what Anvael had to say.

[Anvael Andares]

Proposals … what kind of proposals should he make? How far could he go? How far should he go? Make Sherian seem weaker than it is, give the orcs a slight advantage, Malkaer had said. They needed peace now so that they could go prepare their army, so that they could go to war with Ire later on and win. But it would have to be a peace that the people could accept. He couldn’t be too friendly to the orcs. And above all he needed a good explanation for why he was raising an army when he had assured them that he wanted nothing more than peace. You didn’t train thousands of soldiers because you felt like it.

But he wouldn’t start with that. He would start with something easy.

“In our last conversation you mentioned that Narim would become a trade city that is open to all races and that the trade routes will stay open. My people – my soldiers as well as members of the Wilderness Watch – will make sure of that. I assume you don’t have a problem with that? Last time, you mentioned that as a possibility. Your orcs seemed to be aware of the Wilderness Watch and its activities and have some manner of respect for it.”

“And while I fully trust your orcs to stay on their land, the people of Sherian are worried. I’m afraid, that there will have to be some military presence near your land. On our side of the border of course. Suitably far away from it.”

He’d have said the same things if this were real, if all of Sherian wanted peace and not just a naïve young Governor who had decided to submit to the wishes of his fellow politicians.

[Steve]

Vrassun thought about what the Governor had said. Where the Orc proposal was simply to have the trade routes open, Malkaer wants a military presence. The mandantory conscription and formation of a large Provincial Army was not something that could be kept secret.

"First we talk 'bout peace wit' patrol near trade routes. Now ya wanna have peace with yer military near Orc land. Den ya gonna have Orcs near yer land. How near ya gonna be ta Orckon an' Narim, dat's how near Orcs gonna be ta Ta'lon an' Vers. How near da Imperial ships come ta Narim, dat how near Orcs come ta yer cities.

"Yer kinda peace not good. Got no wall ta mark Orc land. Some yer mil'tary gonna get too near, den get killed. Den we got anutter war."

Vrassun realized that when he took this information back to Orckon, those who opposed his original peace initiative would be strengthened in their attempt to gather support for immediate war in response to the already present threat by Imperial forces.

[Anvael Andares]

„Aren’t patrols sometimes composed of military personnel?“ Anvael asked. He needed a way to explain the Provincial Army while maintaining peace with the orcs. Couldn’t the orcs understand that the people of Sherian needed to feel safe? „You are free to do anything you like on your land. It is only fair that you make some of your people patrol your side of the border.“

„I know that this is not good. We both want peace, the kind of peace we talked about, but there are those among us that don’t trust you. They want to feel safe. They want to be protected by their own people, nothing more, nothing less. There won’t be another war, not now, not ever, not if I have any say in this matter.“

„If one of my soldiers crosses the border, they will be punished …“

He paused here. Maybe he needed to do it differently.

„What would you propose, Vrassun? We both agree that we don’t need another war at our hands now. There are those among your people that would rather attack Sherian right now, and there are those among my people that don’t trust your kind. How do we ensure that they don’t get the upper hand?“

Cursed orcs. He wished Malkaer would be able to give him advice. Malkaer was better at this, but the orcs thought him a spy. It would do him no good if he asked a spy for his opinion now. Besides, it had been Malkaer who had proposed this strategy. Curse him. Curse them all. He didn’t want to be a traitor and a liar.