CHAPTER 97: ZEIRATH [2]

Amber continued. "I believe some guards from Ivarion came to you, speaking of this great threat that marches against us. They must have asked for soldiers."

The king nodded slowly. "Well, yes. Some people did come from Ivarion. They spoke of a Great Enemy coming to all of us from the West. They used strange words, even saying that these enemies looked like bones. Is that truly what this is about?"

Amber bowed his head slightly and answered. "Yes, your majesty. What they told you is true. That is why you see us here, not just one of us, but two, from two different kingdoms, joining hands to stand before you. That alone should show you how serious this matter is. The threat is real, and such an enemy now marches before us."

The king folded his arms and gave a heavy sigh. "So that is it. That is why you have come here. That is why you brought such a creature, a beast we have never seen before. You want to put fear into our hearts by showing us a dragon, warning us about another monster, and asking us to join your cause."

Amber raised his hand and shook his head. "Please, do not misunderstand us, your majesty. We came with a dragon because time is short. The enemy moves quickly, and we had to be faster. We could not waste days riding on horses. The dragon gave us the speed we needed to reach you in time. It is much faster than a horse."

But the king narrowed his eyes. "What about the flying?" he asked. "The soaring across the skies, above villages and towns? Do you think I do not know what that means? It is meant to bring fear into the people. It is meant to remind us of how small we are compared to such a beast. And yes, you have succeeded in frightening them."

Amber stepped forward, his voice calm but strong. "You are mistaken, your majesty. That was never our intent. We bear no such thought in our hearts. We came in peace, not to sow fear, but warn you instead, of this threat."

The king waved his hand. "Peace or not, it matters little. Just like those who came before you, I will tell you the same thing I told them. We have nothing to do with your wars. We are builders, not warriors. And I believe two kingdoms, two strong kingdoms, and with a dragon at their side, should be able to handle any threat that comes their way.

Zeirath is small. Our soldiers are few. If you cannot defeat this enemy with all the strength you already have, then I do not see what difference we can possibly make. In truth, there is no help we can give."

Amber cut in at once "No, your majesty. You are wrong. There is help you can give, and it will make all the difference. I have told you, we have fought this enemy before. We barely survived. Many of our soldiers fell, many of our cities burned, and still the enemy grows stronger. Now they march again, not only against us but against every kingdom that stands in their path.

What we ask of you is not impossible. We have already planned a counterattack. But the counterattack means nothing if our walls fall. We cannot hold them back alone. We need to keep the walls standing long enough to strike back. That is where you come in, your majesty. Even a small army, even a few hundred men, will make the difference between standing and falling. What we need is not an endless supply of swords. What we need is to hold the wall."

"Hold the wall, you say?" the king asked.

Amber bowed his head. "Yes, your majesty."

"You are certain," the king pressed, "that if you do hold this wall and survive the attack, you can strike back and end this enemy once and for all?"

Amber answered carefully. "It is not certain, your majesty. But there is a high chance we can. They would not expect it and that will be our advantage."

The king let out a long breath. "It is a good plan I must say. Give me some moments to decide. I will call you when I’ve decided." He turned and went back into the chamber he had come from, where some of his men were waiting. The guards closed the door behind him.

General Amber stood at the door in silence, waiting. Aeron and Nyella stepped outside. They began to look around at the towers and buildings of Zeirath.

Aeron was the first to speak. "Who would have thought a place like this existed? Look at the houses. Look at their design."

"Exactly," Nyella replied. "I have heard stories of this kingdom, how beautiful it was, and how skilled their builders were, almost as if they were born with such talent. That is why people say Zeirath has more builders than soldiers. But still, the stories did not do justice to it. Seeing it with my own eyes... this is not just beautiful, this is magnificent."

Aeron nodded slowly. "Yes, it is. Such a peaceful place. Peaceful enough for someone to visit and stay, once all of this is over." He glanced at Nyella from the corner of his eye as he said it.

Nyella noticed and smiled. "You are thinking of visiting this place after the war?"

Aeron gave a small laugh. "Yes. It would be beautiful to be in a place like this, but without the tension of chaos or the fear of war. Just a peaceful time here with the people that you love. Don’t you think?"

Nyella looked away for a moment, then said softly, "You are right. It would be a wonderful thing. But then... what if it never ends? What if the fight always returns? What if there is always another war waiting for us? What if... we do not even make it?"

"..."