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Retreat, Hell - Episode 19.5
🕑 Added 2022-07-01 05:05:41 +0000 UTCA/N: Hey, guys! Got a new episode for you!
This one jumps away from any characters we've previously met, and explores a part of the universe that's only been briefly mentioned, while setting things up for some big events that will be happening later down the road.
Episode 20 is coming, and will continue on shortly after Episode 19. The elven counter-offensive is ramping up and their tactics are escalating, and our heroes have to deal with it.
Episode 20.5 will be another visit to Tyriel, to see how his captivity is going.
Episode 21 will be big.
I've got a 4-day weekend this week, and while I don't expect to have Episode 20 finished by the end of it, it is not a very long chapter, and I do expect to at least have a solid draft hammered out, and possibly have Episode 20 ready for posting next weekend.
Will also be looking at getting another episode of ASiS and WotW this month, and if time allows, I've decided to go through To Touch the Stars and give it a heavy polish pass before posting it to Patreon and HFY. More details on those as I get more work done on them.
Now, on to the story!
Retreat, Hell – Episode 19.5
The helicopter lurched, and something rattled.
Donaldson slowly opened his eyes, unconcerned the Blackhawk’s occasional shuddering interrupted his nap.
The keshmin across from him, however, was very concerned. As much as he’s tryin’ not to be. Donaldson gave him the curtesy of pretending he didn’t notice, and shifted his gaze to the window next to him. Below, and beside them, loomed a vast range of snow-capped mountains. Bleak and inhospitable, the rugged terrain stretched as far as the eye could see. He watched a gust of wind roll across the craggy terrain, blowing flurries off the peaks. A few moments later, the helicopter rocked again.
The keshmin inhaled, tensing, his ears pressed flat against his skull.
“Relax, Lord Shiinya,” the middle-aged woman to Donald’s right said, leaning forward in her harness. “It’s just a little turbulence. It’s like hitting a small bump in a carriage.”
“It is not like it at all, Ambassador Grayson. Despite the exigency of its speed, I disagree with this method of transport in its entirety.”
“Aksyun, try looking at the wonder of it,” Grayson said, leaning forward with a smile. “You’re sitting in a chair, in the sky!”
“Exactly,” the keshmin growled through grit teeth as the Blackhawk jostled again. “If any of the gods above us had desired for keshmin to fly, they would have given us wings.”
“Relax, Ambassador,” Donaldson said, shifting a bit to find a slightly more comfortable position to resume his nap. “’S perfectly safe.”
“How can you sleep, Major?” Donaldson could hear the keshmin ambassador’s incredulous expression.
“We ain’t sideways,” he said, his eyes still closed. He’s been throwin’ a hissy fit the whole damn flight.
“I imagine this is a fairly calm flight for what he’s used to,” Grayson said. “Nobody’s shooting at us, after all.”
Donaldson replied with a grunt.
“Ma’am,” one of the gunners said. “I respectfully request that you not jynx us.”
“Major Donaldson,” the pilot’s voice called over the intercom. “We’ve got elves below.”
“Say again?” Donaldson sat up, adjusting the headset he wore, thoughts of returning to his nap gone from his mind. The gunner muttered a curse.
“We have visual on what looks like a squad of elves on the ridge off our port side.”
Shifting in his seat, he leaned forward to get a better view out the window. “I see 'em. Squad of elves, two o’clock. Looks like they’s barely clinging to that ridge.”
“Permission to engage them, sir?” the specialist on the port gun asked, reaching for the handle of his small door.
“Not at this altitude,” the pilot said.
“Warrant Hendricks,” Donaldson said, settling back in his seat. “Call it in, mark their location. Maybe our escorts can drop something on them.”
“Yes, sir,” Hendricks replied, followed by a click as the pilot switched channels.
“There’s no way they haven’t seen us,” Grayson said, looking at Donaldson. “Won’t they report back?”
He shook his head “Over that terrain, it’ll be weeks before they get anywhere to report anythin’.” He leaned forward to look at Yu, sitting on the other side of Grayson. “First Sergeant, make a note of their location. We’ll want to pass it on to the Dohlgra.”
“Yes, sir,” Yu replied.
As his senior enlisted advisor called the pilot for their coordinates, Donaldson settled back into his chair to resume his nap.
***
Hendricks’ voice crackled over the intercom. “Everyone up, we’re beginning our descent.”
Donaldson started awake, pulled from a disjointed dream about his meemaa throwing a hissy fit over a hurricane of Swedish fish disrupting her funeral. Blinking away the image of his uncle trying to convince her the candy fish was actually barbecue sauce, he leaned over and looked out the window.
Below, the craggy, snow-capped mountains had been replaced with lush fields and forests, interwoven with rivers and streams. In the distance, smaller mountain ranges tapered to rolling hills and valleys. Everything was covered in vibrant green.
“We’re below ten thousand feet, clear to open doors.”
The gunners immediately unlatched and slid open their windows, and swung their guns into position.
Shouldn’t be needed, but good to be prepared, just in case, he thought as he reached forward to unlatch his side door, and slid it open. Shiinya pinned himself against his seat back, eyes closed, ears flat against his skull as air rushed into the cabin. On the opposite side, Yu opened his door.
Donaldson looked out across the verdant land below, appreciating the view. Donaldson glanced back, giving a slight nod of approval at the wedge of Blackhawks and Chinooks shaking out into a crisp formation behind them.
“Major, have them keep their guns in, please,” Grayson said, holding her headset mic close to her mouth. “We don’t want to look like we’re rolling up for a fight.”
“And if they start shootin’ at us, ma’am?” he asked, turning around to look at her.
“We fly away, and land somewhere else.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” He glanced up towards the cockpit. “You catch that, Hendricks?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then pass the word. Maintain all guns stowed.”
“Yes, sir. Guns in.” The line clicked again as he switched channels and the gunners unlatched their mounts, swinging the weapons back inside.
“Thank you, Major,” Grayson said, giving him a nod.
“Until we get shot at, you’re in charge, ma’am.”
The line clicked again. “Target in sight. Looks clear. Plenty of room. Making approach.”
Donaldson nodded. “Give the signal.”
“Yes, sir.”
He stuck his head out of the door. From a Blackhawk behind them, he could see a young artificer shoot out several long flairs of color, repeating the Ganlin signal corps pattern for “Friends approaching.” Nodding in satisfaction, he looked forward.
Ahead of them, a large manor commanded well-maintained fields screened by small but thick stands of trees and hedgerows. Ganlin banners flew above it.
The terrain below had shifted to urban streets and buildings, part of the Dohlgra’s sprawling capital city. They were low enough now that he could see the locals falling into pandemonium as alien creatures fled inside or raced away from them.
“They’re fucking round,” Specialist Sailor said, looking out his gun port.
“Keep those thoughts to yourself, Specialist,” Yu growled.
“Yes, please,” Grayson said.
“Copy that, mouth shut.” Sailor made a zipping motion over his lips.
“LZ is clear,” Hendricks called.
Donaldson looked up toward the cockpit. “Take us down.”
With a thundering roar, a dozen helicopters settled into the field that constituted the Ganlin Embassy’s western front yard. Donaldson hopped out as soon as the Blackhawk’s wheels were on the deck. The helo’s crew chief exited on his heels, and quickly took a post to ensure nobody walked into the whirling tail rotor.
“Lieutenant Miller, take your platoon and y’all set up a perimeter!” he shouted over the deafening drone of whirling blades.
“Yes, sir!”
Shiinya clamored out of the helicopter behind Donaldson, stumbling to the ground in his haste to exit the vehicle. On his knees, he bowed his head, clutching at the ground for a moment before he regained his composure and pushed himself back to his feet. Poor bastard looks like he wants to kiss the grass. Impropriety is probably the only thing keepin’ him from doin’ it.
“First Sergeant! Take the ambassadors and their staff to the center of our LZ. Everyone else, y’all start unloading!”
Turning back to the manor, he spotted a commotion as a contingent of guards scrambled to respond to their arrival. Behind him, the whirling thunder shifted to a chest-rumbling thrum, then started spooling down as the pilots cycled off their engines.
He stepped around the Blackhawk as the column of guards arrived. They quickly formed ranks, and in a crisp, well-drilled motion, presented their halberds. Behind them, more guards rushed to reinforce them, piecemeal.
“Ambassadors, you’re up!” Donaldson called over his shoulder, calmly resting his thumb on the safety of his rifle. Just in case.
Shiinya and Grayson appeared from behind the helicopter together as the signals artificer sent up one last “FRIENDS APPROACHING” flare. That kid’s motivated, at least, I’ll give him that much.
The keshmin noble stepped forward, ears locked back in a regal sweep. With bold and unwavering confidence, he walked right up to the guard Captain. “I am Lord Aksyun Shiinya, son of Grand Count Haiyan Shiinya Cremlanae. I bring tidings and news from the Kingdom and of the war, and I bear the King’s Seal.”
***
“This is incredible!” Ambassador Djyonae’s hands lifted towards his head before he brought them back under control and returned them to the ornate conference table in the center of the embassy’s “Green Room.” “Unbelievable! And yet the proof sits there, plain as the sun, on the front lawn …” He shook his head. “We have been out of contact with the Kingdom for so long, we had begun to fear the worst, and now …”
He stopped, turning back to Grayson, his ears flicking back up. “Another world? Truly?”
She chuckled. “Trust me, Ambassador, I didn’t believe it when I first heard the portal opened, either.”
She speaks better Gyani than half the keshmin we brought with us, Donaldson thought. Sounds as fancy as this room.
“I didn’t believe it, and I was one of the lords who championed the project!” Shiinya flicked an ear. “But it is true. We have opened a portal to another world. At first, we thought to simply save what of our people that we could, but instead we found a new friend,” the lord gestured at Donaldson and he gave a small nod in return, “Willing and able to see Ganlin restored, and the elves thrown back from whence they came.”
Djyonae’s ears flicked back, and Donaldson could almost feel his gaze as the ambassador examined him and Grayson with shrewd scrutiny. “Still,” he said, his brows shifting together by a fraction of an inch. “As incredible as that is, I have been in this game for too long to believe the generosity you have said to show is without disinterest. No nation acts so selflessly.” His eyes locked onto Grayson. “There must be something you seek to gain from this.”
“There is,” she said, meeting his eyes and giving him a small nod. “A secure border, for one. We would much rather have Ganlin as a neighbor, than the Aesimnai Empire.”
“Hm.” Djyonae snorted. “I should think so.” He flicked an ear. “Still. With the might you seem to have, you could have easily taken your side of the portal, rooted out the control device, and destroyed it, rendering the point moot.”
“Ambassador …” She frowned, considering her words. “To be completely honest, there are some people in our government who have argued that we should do just that.” She shook her head. “But they are a very small minority. And, to be honest again, a lot of our motivation is economic in interest. Until the portal opened, we did not think magic existed. The notion was ludicrous. Yet here you are, able to do things that we thought the realm of pure fantasy, as an everyday occurrence. If we could learn to master your magic, and combine it with our existing science and technology, we could achieve wonders that neither of us could have imagined. The potential for advancement, the economic opportunities, and the wealth and power that come with them, are a big motivator for us.”
“I see,” the old keshmin nodded. “And I can imagine the incredible opportunities for us, in return.”
“Of course,” Grayson said, “But that’s not all of it.”
“There is more you seek?”
She shook her head. “No, Ambassador Djyonae …” She leaned forward. “You have to understand, we are the only people on our world. There are a few animals that we think might be close to achieving sapience, in time, maybe with our help, but humans are the only people on Earth. We have been for all of our recorded history. There were cousins of modern humans that existed in our pre-history, but in my understanding, they were closer to us than you are to the Khalim’Khali, and they did not survive prehistoric times. For a very long time, we thought we might, feared we might be alone in the universe. And now, here you are, on this whole new world, with not one, not two, but five distinct species. All on one planet. We have long dreamed of finding new friends among the stars, and now here you are, and desperately in need of help that we can easily provide. A few of us might caution against it, and there are always elements of fear in the new and unknown, but as a people?” She shook her head. “We could never shut that door.”
“That is very compelling, Ambassador Grayson. Very-“
The main door swung open, cutting him off. “I apologize for the interruption, your grace, my lords, my lady,” the Embassay Guardsman said, bowing to each in turn, his ears low and humble. “There is a garrison of the Queen’s Own at the compound gates. Their commander states they are ready to assist Ganlin in the defense of its Embassy.”
“That was faster than I expected,” Djyonae flicked an ear. “Master Juun, give their commander my thanks and appreciation, but please inform him that we are not under attack, and that his assistance is not required. We have just received word of new allies, and I will be dispatching an envoy to request a meeting with the Queen at her earliest convenience.”
“As you say, my lord.” The guardsman bowed, then straightened, his ears flicking back up with military precision as he performed an about-face and marched from the room. The attendants outside closed the doors behind him.
With a mildly amused earflick at the door, Djyonae returned his attention to Grayson. He tilted his head, his ears twitching to the side. “There is something more, I believe.”
She nodded. “Yes.” She took a deep breath. “We have been alone on our world, but we have not always been united. We still aren’t.”
“Nor were we, until the elves killed anyone who hadn’t rallied with Ganlin.”
“Yes, well. We don’t like to think about it much, but we’ve done some pretty terrible things to ourselves in our past.” She sighed. “If we’re honest with ourselves, we’re still doing some pretty terrible things to each other today, though I think we can objectively say we’ve become a lot better as a whole than we used to be, despite the lingering dark spots. We’ve seen what the elves are doing before, in the darkest moments of our history.” She frowned. “We don’t always live up to our ideals as a nation, and politics often limit the actions we can take, but we’ve fought this kind of evil before.” She shook her head. “There is no making peace with it.”
“I see.” He quirked an ear at her, and she smiled in return. “Thank you for your honesty.”
Well, that was a lot more passionate than most diplomacy I’ve sat in on …
Djyonae took a breath and turned to the other Ganlin ambassador. “Lord Shiinya. You said you bring news. How fairs the Kingdom?”
“Ganlin still lives,” Shiinya flicked an ear. “Though just four months ago, we thought it wouldn’t for much longer. Before we opened the portal, we were losing the war, and badly. Half the Kingdom was in elven hands, the Royal Host was smashed to pieces, and only a few Banners remained. But, now, the enemy has been pushed back, our army marches through regions they haven’t set foot in in years, and our human allies continue to drive deep into occupied territory with little resistance. For the first time since Gonyaiw fell, there is real hope of victory.” He flicked his tail, and an aid lifted a large sack, placing it on the table. “We bring mail.” He reached into his own satchel. “Including some personal letters for you, my lord.” He passed the packets across.
Struggling to maintain composure, Djyonae reached for them. Even Donaldson could read the spike of apprehension and hope that shot through him.
“Your sister and her family are alive and well. They left Maileon as soon as the war broke out. In fact, the whole town was abandoned, as close to the border as it was. They had to flee the elven advance more than once, but they did make it to the capital, and have been staying with your cousin, Lord Bronlen, for two or three years now. It’s not all good news, I’m afraid, but,” Shiinya smiled, “You are a grand-uncle now.”
“Ha.” The older keshmin flicked his ears, and tucked the packet of letters into his jacket. “Thank you, Aksyun.”
The younger keshmin nodded, then pulled out a much fancier document, with an ornate seal. “I also carry your new orders, and instructions to meet the King’s desires and the interests of the Kingdom.” He handed the envelope over, and after a brief inspection, Djyonae broke the seal and opened the letter.
“The official document contains the fine details, but the general substance is that I am to be your relief. His Majesty is quite pleased and satisfied with your service, and wishes to welcome you home with full honors.”
“Wh- My relief? Now?”
Shiinya held up a hand. “In time. His Majesty, young as he may be, is no fool. I cannot hope to match your knowledge and standing amongst the Queen’s court at this moment. But, one of the new tasks of this embassy is also to facilitate the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States of America and the Dohlgra Kingdom and Cities Alliance, and it is to support that endeavor that I have been working with Ambassador Grayson and her colleagues. I am to take up station here as Junior Ambassador to the Dohlgra Crown for a year, or until such time as which you are confident in my ability to manage this station in its entirety.”
“I see.” Djyonae said, continuing to scan the opening page of the document. “We can certainly accommodate that.” He glanced at the next page, then up to Donaldson. “I take it by your presence, Major, and the size of the contingent you brought with you, that you are here to do more than just serve as embassy guards?”
“That is correct, Ambassador,” Donaldson nodded. “My men and I are to serve as military advisors, conduct direct reconnaissance and observation of the disposition of elven forces on the Dohlgra front, and to act as liasons, coordinating long-range tactical strikes in support of Dohlgra operations.”
The old ambassador nodded. “Very good. I shall have my staff arrange an introduction for you to the Queen’s generals.” He rolled an ear. “The Dohlgra are a proud, and often obstinate people, and they will stand on ceremony when it suits them, but they know when to put full formality aside and drive ahead without delay. If what you have parked in my front lawn is any indication of your capabilities, I am sure they will be most eager to meet you.”
Receiving a nod from Donaldson, Djyonae turned back to Grayson. “You will find that we have plenty of rooms available to accommodate you and your staff, my lady, including your soldiers. This estate was built to fully accommodate a visit by the King himself. I will have rooms prepared for you.” He flicked his tail, and an attendant departed.
Donaldson reached up and keyed his radio. “Galahad Two, this is Galahad Actual. Stand by on setting up tents and gear. We’re being put up inside the embassy proper, over.”
The radio squawked with the reply. “Galahad Actual, this is Galahad Two. Copy all. Out.”
Leaning back in his chair, he froze as he realized nearly every keshmin in the room was staring at him. Ah, right. Y’all ain’t seen that, yet.
“And you say you don’t have magic,” Djyonae said, his ears still locked on Donaldson.
Grayson chuckled. “Not magic at all. It’s a machine.”
“Incredible …” The old ambassador stared at Donaldson for a moment longer, then rolled his ears and shook his head. “I shall have to inquire more on your technology, later.” He looked down at the papers in his hand. Glancing across them, he flipped through a few more pages, then stopped at the final page. His ears shifted as he stared at the scrawled signature and royal seal. He flicked an ear at Shiinya. “And how is our new King?”
Shiinya glanced at Grayson and Donaldson. “As I said, he is young, but he is no fool, and now that he has reached his majority-“
The main doors swung open again, and the same guardsman rushed in, his ears flat against his skull. “Your grace, I apologize again for the interruption, but the Queen’s Voice reports that her majesty’s earliest convenience is now.”
“Above and below, I told you the Dohlgra stand on ceremony, but brook no delay when it is time to strike the iron.” He waved at an attendant. “Summon the stablemaster. We shall need two carriages, post haste. Spare the finery.”
“You misunderstand, your grace,” Master June said, his ears swinging low, then back. “The Queen’s carriage is at the gate. She is requesting entry to the grounds and that you attend her, immediately.”
“No delay, indeed,” Shiinya said.
“Major,” Grayson said, eyeing his ACUs and plate carrier. “How quickly can you change into your dress uniform?”
***
“They are fuckin’ round,” Donaldson muttered, earning a glare from Yu, as a fuzzy, gray ball the size of a gorilla, with arms and legs to match walked in. Well, mostly a match … Instead of walking on its knuckles, it walked on its palms, with four thick fingers splayed out for balance.
“Sir, we just yelled at the men for that,” Yu grumbled.
“Actually, that’s technically a compliment,” Grayson whispered. “But keep it to yourself.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Her Royal Majesty, Suzerain of Brondol, Magistrate of Shoal, Arbiter of the Cities, Protector of the Realm, Queen Mahlden Quirandolronal Sar Malonbrae, Fourth of Her Name.” The Herald threw the smaller, manipulator arms that grew from his chest wide and bowed low by bending his main arms until Donaldson thought he might fall over. Holding the low bow, he turned and walked backwards away from the entrance to the grand entrance hall.
A formidable procession marched through the doorway, the Queen the unmistakable centerpiece at its front. Robes and some form of regal cape trailed behind her, and a wide crown sat upon her head. She cradled a scepter in her secondary arms. Unlike her larger, gorilla arms which were each at least as big around as one of Major’s thighs, these arms were as thin and slender as his daughter’s. And she’s a skinny eight-year-old.
He clenched his fists, resisting the urge to shake his head while standing at attention. Was starting to forget I was on an alien world. But these guys are definitely alien. Four arms. Four eyes. Two forward, two on the sides. Red eyes. Iris and sclera. Weird. Everything else I’ve seen has looked like it could have been from Earth. But not these guys.
The keshmin all bowed low in a not-quite-kneeling curtsy that to Donaldson looked frankly painful, and difficult to maintain without a tail for balance. The humans all remained standing, earning them several looks.
“Count Djyonae,” the Queen said, spreading her manipulator arms wide. “It is good to see you well. I feared the worst when these elves arrived in their new artifices.”
“You grace us with your presence, Your Majesty, and honor us with your concern,” Djyonae said, slowly rising from his curtsy. The rest of his staff followed suit. “But your fears can be allayed. These are not elves at all. They are a race called humans, who have arrived on Gahla through a portal from another world, and they are in fact new allies in our mutual war.” He turned, indicating the humans in turn. “Your Majesty, may I introduce Ambassador Janet Grayson of the United States of America, and Major Samuel Donaldson and First Sergeant Michael Yu of the United States Army Rangers. They are here to establish an embassy of the United States with the Cities Alliance, and to begin the liaison of their forces with yours toward the joint prosecution of the war.”
She turned to assess the humans, narrowing all four of her small, red eyes. “You seek diplomatic relations and military alliance with us, yet you do not show deference for the rightful monarch of all Brondol?”
“With all respect, Your Majesty,” Grayson said, giving the Queen a modest bow. “We are Americans. We threw off the trappings of nobility centuries ago. We are a free nation of equals, and while respect your traditions, we kneel before no one.”
“Hmm. I see.” She turned back to the keshmin Ambassador. “It seems we have much to discuss, Count Djyonae. Might we retire to a private study for more comfortable conversation?”
“Certainly, Your Majesty.” Djyonae bowed low. “I had the Green Room prepared when I heard of your arrival.”
Donaldson was careful to not smirk or roll his eyes at the comment.
A few minutes, and a brief security sweep of the room later, they all gathered around the Green Room’s conference table once more. Only one staffer and one guard from each nation remained, standing quietly along the entrance wall. Yu was dismissed, leaving the number representatives at two for each nation. Too bad we couldn’t swap places …
“Now, Tyen,” Sar Malonbrae said, settling into her chair and resting her manipulator arms on the table. “Tell me about these ‘not elves’ we have here.”
Djyonae smiled, lightly flicking an ear. “Well, Mahlden, as they are here, I think it best that they tell you, themselves.”
“Mm, yes.” She turned, and Donaldson got some sense of a skull in the front of her ball-like shape, but she mostly accomplished the move by turning her whole body. “Ambassador Grayson, I believe is how you pronounced it?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” she said.
“Mm. Tell me, Ambassador. What are your people doing on Gahla? How did you come here, and what are your intentions?”
“Well, we came here by no means of our own. It was Ganlin artificers who opened the portal to our world,” she waved at Djyonae and Shiinya. “They didn’t expect to find us, but they did. We are here, in the short term, to defeat the elves. Not only would they make terrible neighbors by any comparison, unlike the Kingdom of Ganlin, but we have seen their evil before.” She frowned. “Unfortunately, it was committed by us, against ourselves, long ago. We defeated it then, and we aim to defeat it now. There is no living in peace with that evil.”
“Ha. We can certainly understand those sentiments.” Sar Malonbrae tapped her nimble fingers on the table. “The elves have never been anything but cold and disdainful to us before the war, and they have been most vicious and cruel in their attacks since the war began.” She leaned forward, her too front-most eyes locking on the human ambassador. “But what of after the war, assuming we are victorious? What are your intentions then?”
“Trade,” Grayson said. “Economic, technological, cultural. We have much to offer each other. The United States does not desire unnecessary war, and we would much rather make friends and trading partners than enemies. Mutual prosperity is our goal.”
“An interesting prospect, I’m sure,” General Dal Krai said, folding his manipulator hands on the table. “But the elves have locked us up in the Grodalon Pass as much as we have them, and have completely dominated the high seas, all while walking across the keshmin lands like they were the lords of the place. Even if you could double the forces that Ganlin could field at the beginning of the war, we still face a long slog ahead of us before we will be in any position to discuss secure or reliable trade.”
“With respect, Highlord,” Shiinya bowed his head, his ears dipping low. “The American military has crushed the elves at nearly every step, and they have inflicted a far greater toll for any losses they have suffered. In just the last four months, we have reclaimed everything we have lost in the last year-and-a-half. Before we opened the portal, half of all keshmin territory, Ganlin or otherwise, lay in elven hands. Now, were we to consolidate all of the spearheads of their advances to where they stood the day our expedition departed, we would have reclaimed nearly a full quarter of the territory the elves controlled.”
Sar Malonbrae and her general exchanged a glance, mostly by shifting their eyes and small movements of their bodies, before she locked her eyes on the human ambassador. “And what do you bring to the equation of war that has had such an impact?”
“Major?” Grayson turned to him with a small wave of her hand.
“Air support,” he said. “Long-range artillery. Modern firearms. Mechanized infantry. Their magic gives them some advantages, but the way of fightin’ the elves and keshmin have been usin’ was made obsolete on our world hundreds of years ago. We’ve enough ammo to spare, with resupplies already scheduled, we can arrange you a demonstration, if y’all like.”
“The artifices you arrived on.” Dal Krai shifted, his whole body rolling slightly to the left. “I can already imagine how they could revolutionize war. I am curious to see what other weapons you have, and to compare our spellworks.”
Donaldson shared a look with Grayson. “We don’t have any spellwork to share, sir.”
Dal Krai rocked forward, his face dipping slightly in what Donaldson decided to take as a nod. “I understand. I suppose we, too, would be reluctant to share such powerful spellcraft, were we the ones in such a position of exclusivity. Perhaps in time?”
Grayson smiled. “What Major Donaldson means, Highlord, is that we do not have any spellwork. Until the portal opened, we did not know that magic existed at all.”
Sar Malonbrae rocked side-to-side. “You do this all with machinery?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Queen rocked even harder. “Kalianto, they’re mechanists! Ha!” She shifted tapped her fingers on the table in rapid sequence, emphasizing her final words with sharp raps. “The contraptions of our own mechanists must pale in comparison, but I always thought even the Quanlodl Waterworks only scratched the surface of what they might achieve!”
Dal Krai rotated to face her, and Donaldson was suddenly reminded of the time that he and Aisha had discovered Maggy had inadvertently wandered into a candy store.
***
“Fascinating.” Sar Malonbrae laughed. “I apologize, but the concept is just starting to …” She eyed Grayson. “You’re really from another world?”
“It’s perfectly fine, Your Majest-“
“Oh, please, call me Mahlden. We are in private, and you’ve given me no desire to snub you. We can set ceremony aside, here.”
“You honor me,” Grayson said. “You can call me Janet.”
“Well, then, Janet-from-another-world, what is yours like?”
Donaldson exchanged a glance with Dal Krai. Don’t think either of us’ll be gettin’ so familiar.
“Well, Earth is … surprisingly very much like Gahla.” She glanced at Shiinya. “I suppose that shouldn’t be a surprise. Ganlin was looking for a new world to evacuate their people to, of course they would pick one similar to theirs, but it’s the first habitable world beyond our own that we have discovered.” She turned back to Sar Malonbrae. “All the other planets in our solar system could never support life as we know it, and none of the ones we’ve discovered beyond our own star are like Earth, though we have found a couple that might be close.”
“You talk as if traveling between worlds is common place. How many worlds have your people visited?”
“Well,” Grayson paused, tilting her head. “Traveling to other planets isn’t exactly a thing yet, at least not for people. We’ve sent people to our moon, and we’ve sent machines all across our solar system, and even flung a few probes out across the stars, but manned spaceflight is still very limited.” She raised a hand, gesturing in the general direction of the air. “We have plans to send people to a neighboring planet maybe within a decade or so, and we’ve long speculated about how we might travel the stars, but until a few months ago, the idea of actually doing it was just dreams and fantasy.”
Sar Malonbrae leaned forward. “You talk as if traveling the stars is a real possibility.”
“Well, yes. At least in theory.” Grayson shrugged. “Our technology isn’t advanced enough to allow us to send people to even our closest neighbor in our own star system without the backing of national budgets, but sixty years ago we landed men on the moon with far less advanced technology, and that was just sixty years after our first powered aircraft. Another century or two, and we’d probably have people living all over the solar system.” She laughed. “And if even only a quarter of the possibilities our scientists are saying magic might allow end up panning out, we might have a colony on Mars, and ships venturing to our nearest star within a decade.”
“Incredible.” Sar Malonbrae rocked back. “Maybe the legends of the skyfarers of Clostronal are true, after all.”
Grayson tilted her head. “What do you mean?”
“It’s a myth,” Dal Krai said, waving his manipulator hands and rolling all four eyes. “A very old one.”
“And a popular one,” Sar Malonbrae held up a hand, pointing a finger at him, “If not popular to believe. But maybe there is something to it, after all.” She turned back to Grayson. “According to legend, our people are not originally from Gahla. The story goes that, many thousands of years ago, we sailed the stars in a great ship called Clistrina.” She waved a manipulator hand. “A Greatship that carried many thousands of Dohlgra families, and sailed the skyways between stars. The exact reasons why vary, but most accounts agree that we were fleeing some great cataclysm. Unfortunately, Clistrina was damaged, either in the cataclysm or after, and barely reached the safety of this world before it came crashing down from the heavens.”
“That is amazing!” Grayson leaned forward. “Does the wreckage still exist?” She paused, chuckling to herself as she leaned back. “I mean, I guess it wouldn’t be just a legend if it did.”
“Oh, I imagine it might, if Time has not completed its work,” Sar Malonbrae smiled. “But Clistrina didn’t crash here, in Brondol. According to legend, the Greatship fell to the world on Bresh, the continent to our south, a dry and barren desert.” She wobbled slightly, shifting weight from main arm to main arm. “Those who survived the catastrophe barely survived that wasteland, and it was only with great effort and sacrifice that our ancestors were able to build ships to sail across the sea to these lands we now call home.” Settling back in her seat, she waved a manipulator hand at Grayson. “That last part, at least, is true. Our people did travel across the deserts of Bresh many thousands of years ago, before constructing ships and sailing north to our new homeland. Any record of the time before Bresh has long since been lost, however. All we have left are stories passed down from generation to generation.”
Dal Krai rumbled, and the Queen pulled back from the conversation. She smiled at Grayson. “Plans for the future. We have wandered far away from the original subject of our dialogue.” She took a breath. “On the subject of war. We shall have to formalize our relationship, of course, and the Cities will argue and debate the details at length, but for now, what are your plans and intentions? How might we work together?”
Donaldson leaned forward. “Your Majesty, General, our mission is to act as advisors to your military, to coordinate y’all’s operations with ours, and to support y’all in combat directly, though I’ve only got a single company, so our manpower’s limited. Our airbases are also still too far away to provide combat patrols for Close Air Support with any regularity, but they are close enough that we can make planned air strikes to support your fortresses, and any troops you send out to attack, if we plan it right. As we push back the elves on the Ganlin front, we’ll be puttin’ up new airbases that’ll bring our aircraft closer to your front, and eventually, we would like to move additional forces out here to support y’all, and help y’all go on the offensive from your side.”
Dal Krai rocked back. “Going on the offensive.” He waddled slightly side-to-side. “There is always talk of doing that, but it hasn’t been serious in years.” He looked at Sar Malonbrae. “Your Majesty, with permission, I would like to assemble Your Own Generals to meet with Major Donaldson and discuss these matters in detail.” He glanced at Donaldson. “Perhaps tomorrow, or the day after.”
“You may command at your discretion, General Dal Krai. You have my confidence.”
“For your honor, Your Majesty,” he said, dipping himself toward her before looking back to Donaldson. “I will send word to you by the end of the day for when and where we shall be meeting.”
“I’ll be ready, sir.”
“And we must meet again, Janet, Tren, both formally and in private.” Sar Malonbrae smiled at Grayson. “I want to hear more of your world.”
“That’s why I’m here,” Grayson said, returning her smile.
The Queen stood, and everyone in the room followed suit. “As pleasant an escape as this has been, I have important matters at court I was to address today, and they can only be put off for so long. Ambassadors, my Voice shall speak to you to arrange a more formal meeting.”
“We look forward to it, Your Majesty,” Djyonae said, his ears swinging to the side as he bowed low.
“Oh, before y’all run off,” Donaldson said. “General. On our flight over the mountains, we spotted a squad of elves picking their way up a ridge. They looked to be scaling the mountains to cross them.
Dal Krai dipped forward in a nod. “Yes, that would be one of their scouting parties. The mountains north of Grodalon Pass are too severe to allow the passage of any significant force, but small scouting parties can sometimes survive the journey. They send them over regularly, especially in the warmer months, to spy on us and cause whatever disruptions they can.” He wobbled from main arm to main arm. “They are rarely more than a minor nuisance. We thank you for the notice, however. I will ensure word is passed to the frontier states.”
“They will enjoy the sport.” Sar Malonbrae smiled, giving Donaldson a better look at her teeth. There’s more than just grinding molars in there. Picking up her scepter, she waved a manipulator arm at Grayson and Djyonae. “I look forward to seeing you both again. Until then, good tidings to you.”
“Good tidings to you,” Grayson, Djyonae, and Shiinya echowed back.
“Roll Tide,” Donaldson said, earning himself a look from Grayson.
With a final glance at him, the Queen turned for the exit, Dal Krai falling in behind her. The doors were swung open for her, and a procession quickly formed around her as she departed the embassy.
“I like her,” Grayson said when she was gone.
“And she likes you,” Djyonae said. “Which is good. You do not want her as an enemy.”
“That goes without saying. She’s the Queen, and we came here to make friends.”
He flicked an ear. “More than that. She’s corralled, connived, and strong-armed the Cities Alliance into mostly cooperating and working together more than they ever have in their entire history. The common enemy of the elves helped with that, but even that threat only unifies the Dohlgra cities so much. Since taking the throne eighteen years ago, she’s survived disasters, political upheavals, two coup attempts, and since the war began, personally killed at least three assassins that I am aware of.” His ears twitched. “The last one, all that was left of him was his smoldering shoes.”
Donaldson raised an eyebrow. “Heh. Roll Tide.”
Comments
Sbreader
I hope we see more of these characters and this part of the story.
Rhinorulz
This one impatiently awaits the next chapter.
