Elfsorrow-Legends of the Raven 01 by James Barclay

Author:James Barclay [Barclay, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Fantasy
ISBN: 9781616142483
Publisher: Prometheus Books
Published: 2010-11-01T07:00:00+00:00

“I would take your reply at your earliest convenience, my Lord,” he said.

Tendjorn untied the envelope and took out the single sheet of paper it contained. It was a brief message, and the mage smiled and shook his head as he read it.

“Gracious me, how predictable,” he muttered, and handed it to the quartet of soldiers and mages grouped behind him. He slapped the empty envelope into the chest of the messenger. “Tel your commander that we wil not withdraw until he agrees to take charge of the people whom his colege has made homeless. Tel him that any move to force them across the river wil be met with an appropriate response.”

“Yes, my Lord.” The messenger bowed, his face expressionless.

Rusau grabbed his shoulder. “Wait a moment. You can’t deliver that. This is madness. Tendjorn, I beg you to reconsider.”

“You must remove your hand, sir,” said the messenger. “You may not impede a messenger under the parley flag.”

“I know but . . .” He removed his hand and immediately the messenger turned and walked from the tent. “Think what your message means. Men wil die.”

“Quiet your bleating, Rusau, and face reality,” said Tendjorn. “This conflict is about far more than just Herendeneth. It concerns balance. Something Xetesk is determined to upset.”

“Al it takes is for you to withdraw your forces and let the refugees move to their homes to rebuild their lives. It wil give us a basis for negotiation. Please, Tendjorn. Someone has to make a gesture for peace to have a chance.”

Tendjorn walked the pace to Rusau and looked square into his face, holding his gaze.

“There is but one way to stop this and that is for Lystern to stop dithering and join us. Isn’t it obvious to you? Xetesk always wanted war; we have merely upset their timing. Without you, they may wel beat us. With you, they may wel not.

“Heryst is cautious. But what price that when Xetesk marches up to his gates, eh? You have done your best, Lysternan, you and your negotiators. Has Xetesk listened to you? Join us now. We don’t want to destroy Xetesk, we need them in balance. They want to dominate, don’t you understand?”

“I understand that war wil leave al of magic seriously weakened and wil draw in the population who surely have suffered enough. More innocents wil die in this conflict and hatred wil grow. Do not assume non-mages are too weak to fight. Look at what the Wesmen did to Julatsa.”

“Yes, Rusau,” growled Tendjorn. “And look what that has done to the balance of magic. Even now we are protecting Julatsa from the inevitable Xeteskian invasion. Where are Lystern, their supposed friends, eh? Xetesk cannot be alowed to win.”

“Heryst is on his way to discuss that very matter with Vuldaroq, have you not been informed? Wait for them to reach accord. Must you fight today?” Rusau was exasperated in the face of such closed-minded determination to let blood.

“Gods, man, are you blind?” shouted Tendjorn. He strode away a pace and threw up his arms.

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