by B. T. Narro
The woman who lived there was nowhere in sight. Perhaps she really had tried and now she and Vithos would be punished.
What did that mean for Basen? And for my akorell stone?
Unable to take the icy stares of the perfectly still Elves any longer, Basen returned to the house and shut the door.
He had to think quickly. Fatholl had said nothing of the akorell stone during their first meeting. He hadn’t seemed to know what it was. But now, the first thing he’d done was take it.
As I was researching him, he was researching portals, Basen realized. Now he knows I can’t go anywhere without the akorell stone.
I knew we should’ve tried to get to Zoke. The Krepp would’ve helped Basen figure out what Fatholl had planned. It must have to do with the Krepps. Their separation from the Elves reinforced his belief.
It’s the only reason the Slugari queen was so adamant about doing whatever Fatholl wanted. She knows he means to do something to the Krepps…probably get rid of them.
Night seemed to arrive quickly, but Basen was ready for it with a new plan. He’d opened a window earlier, and now it was a matter of squeezing through as silently as possible. To his amazement, the village appeared empty. Good, no one would see him as he crept through the darkness, shrouded by his cloak.
There was only one problem. He had no idea how to find Zoke.
*****
Basen returned to the house where he figured he’d be spending the night. A quick search around the village had only gotten him lost. Even familiar places could seem strange at night, so an unfamiliar place, and one where the inhabitants seemed to make a point of using no light once the moon was out, was impossible to explore.
The village wasn’t immune to the effects of the jungle surrounding it. Basen heard many of the familiar creaks and howls like the last time he was here. They were distant, not at all a danger, but they reminded him that he was a long way from home. News of whatever happened to him here might never reach the people who cared about him.
Basen decided he’d better rest. Fatholl seemed too busy to let Basen sleep past sunup. He sighed as he made himself comfortable on the bed. Whatever Fatholl had planned, it seemed to involve Basen returning early—either today or tomorrow. He knew I would come back now. How?
The bed was softer than what he was given at the Academy, reminding him of his mattress in Tenred. It was when he went to bed on that mattress when he was younger that he would fantasize about adventures just like this. Well, not exactly like this. There were certainly no thoughts of being used by psychic Elves.
He wanted to give up on his plan and just do whatever Fatholl asked of him. At least he’d be more likely get out of this alive. But then this trip would have no benefit to the war, no meaning. It would’ve been made solely out of fear. He couldn’t let that be the case, even if he was afraid. Eventually he managed to fall into a fitful sleep.
Everything was different in the morning. Basen had locked the door, simply because he saw no reason not to. But rather than the Elves forcing their way in, Basen was roused by a polite knock. Whoever was there waited patiently for Basen to dress and answer it. He was shocked to find Fatholl, alone and wearing a smug grin like he was about to show Basen a trick.
“Where are Vithos and the woman?” Basen asked.
“I had to keep them for the night. They’re fine, and you’ll see them soon. Come with me.”
Basen didn’t move. “What will you have me do?”
“Make a portal, of course.”
“To where?”
“You mentioned you can teleport to a small forest in Kilmar. You might not have realized it, but I know the exact forest. It’s called Regash—the Slugaren word for peace.”
Basen put up his hand as he walked ahead of Fatholl. “How about waiting to describe what you want me to do until we’re with Vithos?”
“Why would I lie to you?” Fatholl gestured that Basen was going in the wrong direction.
Soon they were walking beside each other, neither speaking.
“Think about where you are, Basen,” Fatholl continued. “You didn’t come here because you believe I’ll help you. You came here, wisely so, because you know I am capable of destruction. If you leave without making a portal, or if you make a portal to somewhere besides Regash Forest, you will regret it. I don’t need to lie or manipulate you. Don’t you see that now?”
Basen supposed Fatholl had a point. By coming here, he’d shown the Elf he wished to fulfill their agreement. Basen wouldn’t leave without doing so. Unless it’s going to hurt the Academy.
“Why Regash Forest?”
“I’m about to tell everyone in the village. Be patient, and you’ll hear it with everyone else.”
Fatholl was clearly leading him to the center of the settlement. Elves and Krepps were headed in the same direction, though only the Krepps appeared confused or worried, like Basen.
Nervousness buzzed in the air. An enormous crowd had gathered, thousands of Krepps outnumbering the Elves. A stage had been set up, a simple square of wood for Fatholl to stand upon and face everyone. He stepped up, then waited for Basen to follow.
He thinks I’m less likely to go against him in front of so many. He doesn’t know me.
Basen found Vithos and the woman surrounded by a group of Elves with daggers on their belts.
Fatholl called for silence, and the crowd hushed.
“Change does not come easily to any creature if they are not ready for it,” Fatholl began. “We miss what we no longer have when we feel it’s been taken from us.” He made a fist. “But I promise, Krepps, that although I am proposing a change, my Elves will never take anything from you.”
These Krepps seemed better behaved than those with Rickik, stirring a bit yet without aggression. They appeared to understand common tongue at least well enough to know that something was coming that was likely to alter the course of their lives.
“It’s time for you to build a legacy,” Fatholl continued. “You came here to do that. You didn’t want to be known as the Krepps who supported Tegry Hiller, this human’s uncle.” He pointed at Basen.
The Krepps hissed like snakes. God’s mercy, Fatholl really had done his research. And now he’s turning them against me.
“Tegry was a man without honor. A weak, coward of a king who lied to you Krepps in order to use you.”
The Krepps groaned and gurgled, then hissed and screeched.
“There’s been concern among you that we Elves plan to use you like Tegry wanted to do. I promise never to do that. What I propose instead is something that will benefit both our races.”
Slowly, the Elves had begun to move away from the noisy creatures, but now that the Krepps had quieted, the Elves seemed comfortable again in proximity. They’re using psyche to control the Krepps’ emotions. The Elves thought they might lose control, but now they have it again. This could be trouble.
“It’s time for you to build a legacy,” Fatholl repeated, slower this time. “You were in Ovira long before anyone else. For more than a thousand years, there were just dajriks, Slugari, and Krepps. You were the strongest race then, and you are the strongest now. So take a moment to consider what your children will think when they are born in a village ruled by Elves.”
The Krepps looked to each other, anger building in their yellow eyes. Basen found Zoke among them, standing beside a female. He remembered Zoke mentioning something about a sister and assumed this younger Krepp to be her. They were the only Krepps who looked concerned.
Vithos shook his head grimly. He no longer believes my plan will work. But Basen wasn’t about to give up. He was just waiting for his opportunity.
Fatholl’s speech had come as no surprise so far. It was obvious from the only conversation they’d had that the Elf wanted to rid himself of these Krepps.
“Your children might be confused,” Fatholl went on, “and more so when they hear about how Krepps used to rule Ovira.” He shook his fist. “Every animal feared the Krepps
. Dajriks moved to the mountains. Slugari fled underground.” He opened his hands. “I’m not saying the most fearsome creatures deserve the most respect. They don’t. What I’m trying to show you is the progression of the Krepps based on your history. Your race has been separated over a disagreement in a human war. Except for Rickik and the Krepps that follow him, none of your kind fights for any stake in Ovira anymore.
“This wouldn’t matter if Ovira was the same continent as when only dajriks, Slugari, and Krepps roamed the land. But now that humans are here, everything is quickly changing. Human greed—a concept we all know well—is more than just an explanation for their behavior. It’s a threat to your legacy. They are greedy. They will come for all of Ovira eventually. Many of you must know they are currently engaged in another war.” Fatholl raised his arms dramatically. “The dust hasn’t even settled from the last one!”
“Human greed,” the Krepps echoed in agreement.
The creatures couldn’t possibly understand every word of Fatholl’s speech, but with the help of psyche and the Elf’s gestures, they seemed to understand enough.
“Rather than waiting for humans to take all of Ovira,” Fatholl continued. “You need to establish your home. Claim what belonged to your ancestors as we Elves have done. Take all the land north of Tenred. Take everything up to Merejic. We Elves will remain in this territory because, unlike humans, we do not have greed for more than we need. In exchange for all the help you’ve given us, we will help you. Go with us to a forest in Kilmar and we will supply you with everything you need to build homes and farms like these. When the humans come for your land, which they will eventually, we will stand together.”
They can’t actually believe the Elves will fight with them?
But not only did these Krepps believe Fatholl, they seemed enthused by the idea. Basen caught a hint of a smirk on Fatholl’s face as he leaned close to whisper, “Now watch.”
The Krepps gathered at the center of the crowd. One spoke while all listened, but then Zoke seemed to object. The Krepp nearest to him grabbed his face and pushed him back.
“If you think I’m making a portal for the Krepps so they can fight us, you’re mistaken,” Basen whispered to Fatholl.
The Elf was slightly taller than Basen and moved close to look down at him. “You could try to run. Try,” Fatholl dared. “That’s your other choice.”
“I have one other option. And you’re not going to like it.”
“Human!” one of the Krepps yelled.
Basen muttered a curse as the Krepps approached the platform. He pushed down his fear and stepped forward as confidently as he could. No matter what answer he gave them, he needed their respect for them to listen. He needed to be strong.
“It is you human, make us get to new home?”
“I can make a portal, yes. But—”
“He helps you to repay the debt of his uncle!” Fatholl interrupted.
Before Basen could say anything, the Krepps screeched their enthusiasm. They seemed to be celebrating as they grabbed each other and jumped about. There was no doubt in Basen’s mind that psyche was influencing their behavior.
Fatholl was assuming too much to think Basen wouldn’t go against this. Not a thousand Krepps—not even ten thousand—could pressure him into sparking a battle between them and humans.
Fatholl, as if knowing Basen’s exact thoughts, put his hand on Basen’s shoulder and whispered, “If you don’t cooperate, they will find their own way to Kilmar…and beyond. You should agree to take them there quickly for your own benefit.”
The Krepps still seemed to be deciding something as they conversed in an unorganized cluster.
“Zoke,” Basen called. “What are they saying?”
The smaller Krepp appeared horrified, his long mouth slack as he drew quick breaths. “They are asking themselves why they don’t just take back the land from the humans. It is their land, after all, they say.”
Fatholl bellowed something in Kreppen that silenced them. But it only lasted a moment as the creatures broke into fevered screams.
“What did he say?” Basen asked Zoke.
“The Elves will stand with the Krepps no matter what they decide.”
God’s mercy. “Make them believe it’s their choice,” Fatholl had told Basen the last time he was here. “It’s the only way to control Krepps.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Fatholl moved toward the other side of the platform and motioned for Basen to follow. Away from Zoke, Fatholl said, “Don’t worry, Basen. Your humans will destroy them. It’ll give those greedy Takarys something else to focus on besides the Academy.”
Basen couldn’t believe his ears. Fatholl was a diabolical Elf, but this…this was something far worse than Basen had imagined. It sickened him that Queen would go along with this with such devotion. “Anything Fatholl asks, you do it,” the little Slugari leader had said. “Anything.”
“And after these thousands of Krepps are wiped clean from Ovira?” Basen asked. “You expect Tauwin to hunt down the rest of them?”
“He will see them as a threat. I’ve learned enough about the boy to know how he deals with threats.”
“Krepps have done nothing but help you.” Basen’s voice shook as he spoke, devastation creeping up from his chest and taking hold of his throat. “And you repay them by attempting to decimate their race.”
“You know nothing of what they’ve done to my kind!” Fatholl’s face twisted with rage. “They are the scourge of the world. Their children don’t deserve to be born.”
This Elf…god’s mercy. Basen had assumed Fatholl wanted the Krepps gone from the village, but now everything made sense. The armor for the Krepps—he’d intended to convince them to fight from the beginning. He just needed some way of doing that, and Basen was the perfect solution.
Or so he thinks.
“Basen,” Zoke called to him. A couple of Elves had their hands on the Krepp, but he easily shrugged them off as he stepped up onto the platform. “Just make the portal and go now.”
“I can’t,” Basen replied. “Fatholl has my akorell stone.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter.”
“Why not?”
“I’m going to say something that will put an end to this. Will you translate for me?”
“Gladly.”
As Zoke screeched out something in Kreppen that broke through the clamor, Basen checked on Vithos at the side of the platform. He was still being held by a group of Elves, sure to be threatened in case Basen didn’t obey Fatholl’s demands.
This might not be the best idea, but it was Basen’s only option.
“I will take you to where you want to go,” Basen announced, waiting for Zoke to translate. “But first listen to what I have to say. Being the only human here, I have the unfortunate responsibility to speak for all of my kind.”
As he searched for the right words, one thought kept creeping to the front of his mind. “Fatholl is right. Humans are greedy. Some of us will never settle for what we have and will always want more.”
Fatholl was giving him a look that dared him to keep talking. Basen ignored it. He can’t stop me from saying whatever I want, and he knows it. If he interferes, it might turn the Krepps against him.
When Zoke was done translating, with the other Krepps muttering in response as if they refused to believe what Basen had to say, he went on.
“Right now, a young human with more wealth than thousands of us combined has decided he wants control of Kyrro. He will kill anyone who stops him from getting it. Many have already died.”
Basen remembered Rickik’s reaction when he’d heard this news of Tauwin. The Krepp had been impressed, asking what weapon the young king had used. Basen could see the same reaction on the faces of some Krepps, taking this as a challenge to defeat the powerful human.
“This young man, Tauwin Takary, has personally slain only one human: an old, defenseless man who was loved by his people.
Tauwin’s army has killed all the others. This human has no strength by himself. He does not fight in the battles he’s created.”
At that, the Krepps began to spit. Others yelled something to Zoke as they pointed their claws at Basen.
“They want to know why a coward has an army,” Zoke explained.
“Human greed,” Basen replied. “His troops believe Tauwin will win this war, and they receive money for joining. The rest of us are fighting against his army because we don’t want to live in a territory controlled by him or anyone like him. This war isn’t about humans fighting for more land than we already have. It’s about stopping an army from taking control.
“Fatholl has explained human greed to you in a way that makes it seem like humans will eventually come for all of Ovira. What Fatholl doesn’t know, however, and what I’ve come here to tell him, is that humans aren’t the only ones fighting this war. They aren’t the only ones who, if they win this war, will control Kyrro and have the power to seek more land to the north. Your land.”
Basen took a breath as he waited for Zoke to catch up in translating. God’s mercy, I hope I’m right about this.
“Fatholl’s own brother came to this continent to join the coward king. He means to steal land from the humans for himself and the Elves with him.”
Basen looked at Fatholl and pretended to be unafraid. The Krepps couldn’t see his fear, and that’s all that mattered at the moment. The news apparently shocked them so much their enormous mouths dropped open in disbelief.
“Brother?” they repeated in common tongue.
Fatholl put on a smile and walked to the front of the platform with his arms raised. “The human doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
“His name is Yeso,” Basen announced. “Fatholl wanted his brother’s help in Greenedge, but Yeso refused to help him. Instead, Yeso and many Elves joined with the coward Takarys.” He lowered his voice to tell Fatholl, “I know you met Ulric Takary.”
