Chapter 15
A small group walked through the forest, it's been a day since Arthur woke up, and now he could be seen walking with a small contingent consisting of Morgan, Galion and one of the priests.
He was a dragon-kin elf consisting of brown skin, luminous green eyes and long ears, and scaled features. He was dressed in white, red robes, and beads in hand. This was Marvin the weakest of the two priests since the other one Julius was left back in the castle.
"Sire might I ask why you insist of this approach first?" asked Marvin in confusion.
"Simple really," said Arthur his tone measured and calm, "I can gain more from them should they surrender and ending them all. Keep this in mind when battling Marvin, especially as a priest. Death is a waste of resources, time, and many other resources will be lost, for instance someone like you will be hard to replace you, should you die. But above all it's a waste of your potential, you can be a powerful soldier, so if you die think of all those who could have been saved if you were alive," spoke the man calmly.
"That is a unique way of viewing war my lord," spoke Galion.
"Hhahahaha, don't take it to heart, it's one of the many ways that I rationalised my fear of losing you all." spoke the Man with a smile.
The 3 units looked at each other Morgan smiled a knowing smile that sent messages to the duo. 'You are not allowed to die, and waste our precious lord's resources, efforts and especially cause him pain!' it screamed to them.
They stiffened.
.oOo.
A few minutes later the group reached the gates leading to the settlement of the tree creatures. Before them were quite a few higher-ranking soldiers like Lamia mages, Treat tanks and Nymph priests. Each one aimed their weapons at the group.
"Human state your business!" spoke a Lamian in front of the group it's tone harsh.
Arthur smiled, and raised his hands, "I'd like to speak to your leaders! I assume you're all aware of this considering that we were not attacked by your friends during our journey here," spoke Arthur.
The head guard frowned, keeping her glare at Arthur.
"You're the culprit of the arrow?" asked the guard. Yesterday Arthur asked one of his archers to deliver and arrow message to the settlement, he was half expecting for the to be more guards to shoot him down the moment he appeared.
"You are correct, now please take me to your leaders," spoke Arthur calmly.
The guard tilted her head, allowing for the gates to be opened.
.oOo.
The 3 leaders of this settlement all sat in the three branche made thrones made for them in a triangular position so they could flank their opponent should the moment for combat come.
As plant based lifeforms, they didn't have a need for cover from the elements so their thrones sat on a massively raised alter so they could oversee the large base where more and more Treants, Wood Lamia and Wood nymphs were being created.
Thanks to the rich vitality of the land, they could make more than 100 units every hour.
"They are here," spoke the Treant, having noticed Arthur and his small group all appear from the distance. They took stock of him, young and possibly in his late teens to early 20's with red-brown hair that was tied in a low ponytail. He was dressed in scaled armour, with a dark blue/black colour, with a sword on his waste.
Then after a few minutes the group stood before them, the lead guard spoke.
"Great ones, the invader has come," he said.
Arthur heard this and smiled while his men frowned.
"You may leave," spoke the Lamia princess. The guard bowed and left. "Now human why have you come?" she asked, taking the initiative.
Arthur smiled, while taking note of their names and titles.
- Lamia 13nth Princess Alphretas
- Treant chief's son Tholios
- Nymph queen Alseid.
he remained silent, turned to face the single individual who possessed an equal status to him, "Queen Alseid of the nymphs, I am king Arthur Pandragon, ruler of dragons it's a pleasure to meet you," he said in a slight bow.
The Lamia princess Alphretas felt her head pound in anger at the blatant disregard of her presence. She wanted to shout in anger but that would make her seem impulsive and ruin her reputation, in the eyes of the guards around them.
Tholios frowned confused as to how this man knew the name of his ally, his mind went into processing mode trying to find the answer.
Alseid blinked in surprise before speaking, "I would like to say it's a pleasure to meet you as well but considering the circumstances..." she said trailing off.
"Huh? I do not understand, as far as I know none of my soldiers have killed your own?" asked Arthur in mock confusion. Alseid sighed knowing what this man was doing.
"Yes, but you did kill quite a few of my allies soldiers, and you invaded part of my forest, my domain so I'm sure you can understand why I might be hostile to you as well," spoke Alseid.
"Ah I understand," spoke Arthur with a nod, "Ok then, guess I should cut straight to the chase." at the end of his words, a clashing aura, of radiant gold, and black radiated off of him, and his next words were infused with the power of his draconic lineage. "I want you and your allies to surrender and submit to my rule or face the consequences," he said his tone deadly.
The three all stiffened, feeling the heat rise around them, and the tension fill the air. The guard's while scared by the aura, still acted, rushing to surround Arthur and his group.
"Why would we surrender?" asked Alseid, taking the speaker role spokesperson for the 3 groups considering that Arthur seemed to only want to speak to her.
The aura subsided and Arthur's ever-present smile, seemed to change into a welcoming one.
"I have much to offer, security being the main one, alongside luxury," he said while motioning for Morgan to step forward.
The woman had 2 things in hand; she let the two pockets of water and air float and land near the woman. Alseid being a nymph a wood nymph was very aware of the power within the earth and water, as they were the necessity for her race to survive.
So when the 2 orbs floated near her, she was well aware of what this was and shock filled her.
"Earth from blessed land and water from a holy spring." she said.
"What!" exclaimed the two silent rulers who were silent all this time.
Morgan spoke, "Surrender and submit and my lord will generously offer you an infinite supply of these two great treasures," she said her tone laced with a dark undertone of temptation.
Her words induced a sense of desire and greed within the hearts of the three leaders.
"ATTACK!" "ATTACK!"
"WAIT!"
.oOo.