Chapter 22

A little while later, team Meredith made it back to camp to find that most of it had already been set up. Tents were up and fires were lit, several soldiers were on watch and challenged them as they emerged from the dark trees.

“Identify yourself!” a soldier barked out.

“Father Christmas!” Nate replied seriously.

“A proud raccoon owner!” Katie happily said.

“That tiger from the cereal commercials!” Jack joined in.

“Captain Ja - !” Nate began again but was interrupted by Noah.

“Enough! Team Meredith reporting back,” Noah said before heading into camp past the soldiers on watch. Meredith stifled a giggle as she led the others after him.

They walked through the various compact survival tents to one of the campfires, already merrily burning away with Cheryl and several of the diplomats sitting before it, along with the elf.

“Hey guys, how’d it go?” Cheryl asked as she lazily rested her chin on one hand as she sat on a foldable camp stool.

“Pretty good, we got a Forest slime,” Stacey said with a smile as she took an empty stool beside Cheryl.

“Hm, not bad, those things can be tough cookies. Did you get the core?” she asked.

“Right here.” Meredith held up a small bag holding the football sized slime core.

“Good, that’ll be worth something when we get back. Pull up some seats,” Cheryl told them.

No one needed telling twice, Jack undid the clasps on his weapons harness and dumped his gear on the ground before flopping into one of the camping chairs with a backrest. He sighed in momentary contentment as he allowed the fatigue from the day’s march and fighting to slip away from his limbs, he slid down and slouched a little. One of the diplomats came walking up to the fire and looked at Jack as if he wanted to say something because Jack had taken his chair but thought better of it and perched on one of the stools instead.

After half an hour one of the soldiers on cooking duty that night began bringing over bowls of broth and ration biscuits to everyone. Once everyone was finished eating, Jack took off the armour from his upper body and unzipped his combat wetsuit from his torso, allowing the cool air onto his skin. He sighed in relief.

The elf, who’d been eyeing everyone suspiciously and resentfully until now, turned to view Jack with wide eyes and surprise. She said something to Dr Nicholson who also turned to regard Jack with curiosity.

“Hm? What's that my dear? Oh yes, er let me see…ah.” Dr Nicholson spoke once more in the elven language, though haltingly and less fluently than the elf.

“Eh? What's that? What does she want?” Jack asked, noticing the elf’s attention.

Dr Fredericks turned to him with a small smile. “Ah yes, our elven friend here was just noticing your arm and the runes carved into them, she was surprised I believe. She er…she says she’s never seen them amongst humans before,” he told Jack.

“Really? Well we’re only just starting to learn about them, what does she know about them?” Jack asked.

Dr Nicholson turned to her and spoke haltingly again in the elven language. She listened with undisguised impatience, glaring at him with narrowed eyes before responding. Dr Nicholson listened attentively before turning to the rest of the group sitting around the campfire.

“She says that rune usage requires….er….mental discipline? Yes I think that's what she means, only trained…I don’t know that word….I think mage or sorcerer? And that she doubts a human is capable of using them. Yes, only elven mages who’ve been to erm…some sort of school or academy are permitted to learn about them. Huh, a place of learning eh? How interesting,” Nicholson mused partly to himself. The rest of the group also looked intrigued.

“Runes require mental discipline do they?” Cheryl smirked and turned an amused glance upon Jack.

“Hey! I have mental discipline!” he protested. Everyone looked at him in mixed amusement or scepticism. “I do!” he insisted. “Nevermind, tell her I’ve seen examples of runes that elves and other species use and that they’re all primitive, it's little wonder they require mental discipline to use,” Jack said heatedly.

Nicholson smirked at him before turning and telling the elf what he’d said. She listened for a moment, then her eyes widened in indignation and she responded with a vicious sounding rejoinder. He had no idea what she’d just said but her annoyance felt very satisfying to him at that point.

Nicholson chuckled. “Oh dear, she’s very easily riled up so you’ll probably want to be careful. But I believe what she said was that we’re nothing but a filthy slave species and how dare you speak to her in that way, or something like that.” He chuckled again.

“Slave species!?” Katie exclaimed, aghast. “What does that mean?”

“More or less exactly what she said, we spoke at length about her home and her race when we had her and her comrades in….interrogation.” Nicholson looked at her from the side with a small knowing look and smirk. The elf gulped and shivered. “Her species bears some small similarity to what matches up to our ancient Norse mythology, but only some. From what I’m able to determine, as a species they have a bit of a superiority complex, they believe that every other sentient race is lesser than they are and therefore are only fit either to be slaves or subordinates,” Nicholson explained. He turned an amused look at the fuming elf, like a parent watching a child have a tantrum and not really caring about it, just finding it funny.

“So they think we’re only good to slaves huh? Well fuck that and them!” Nate spat.

“Hm indeed, although it's rather curious, our own culture believes slavery to be inherently and irredeemably evil. However these elves, despite prolifically practising slavery and other acts that would earn censure on Earth, they still possess a moral code that we would actually deem acceptable. It's strange but they actually believe themselves to be good, morally righteous beings. Take their enslaving of other species for instance, they don’t just simply see it as enslavement, they see it as providing a guiding hand to those of us who need it.” Nicholson chuckled in amusement again.

“Hm, is that what they were hoping to do several days ago I wonder? Providing a helping hand?” Cheryl smirked at the elf who shivered and did her best not to look Cheryl in the eye.

“Hey, she called us a slave species, does that mean she recognises us? She’s seen other humans before? On her home world?” Stacey asked.

“Oh yes, apparently humans are a popular choice as slaves all over Alfheim and beyond. We’re not the strongest, fastest or smartest but we’re also not the weakest, slowest or dumbest. There are plenty of humans and other races in Alfheim and many other worlds, all warring, trading, travelling, politicking, building, destroying, conquering, slaving; it all sounds like they’ve been having a great time without us, really,” Nicholson remarked as he adjusted his glasses.

Everyone thought about that for a moment.

“So does that mean that there are humans out there that aren’t slaves then?” Jack asked.

“Hm? I believe so, yes, though I don’t know why you’re so fixated on the whole slavery thing. Believe it or not, slavery was prolific throughout all of human civilization for thousands of years on Earth until it eventually came to an end barely two centuries past. Despite engaging in the practice, we still built a functioning society with a moral fabric, I’m sure we’ll find these elves to be not so different from us once we meet them,” Nicholson assured them.

Jack frowned, Dr Nicholson didn’t appear to be too concerned about the ‘whole slavery thing’ as he termed it. To Jack it seemed like more of a big deal and only increased his doubts about the upcoming attempts at negotiations but that wasn’t really a part of his purview. He’d leave that to the professionals.

“What about her home world? Alfheim? What do we know about that?” one of the other hunters listening in asked.

“Alfheim? Well apparently it's one of the main worlds where the so called ‘Light Elves’ make their home. And according to our friend here it's the centre of the most powerful interplanetary empire in the cosmos but I have my doubts about that, they may be a major player perhaps but not the most powerful,” Nicholson said confidently.

“How do you know that?” Noah asked curiously.

“Intuition, I can always tell when people are lying or boasting or in this case; deluded.” Nicholson smirked at the elf who glared back at him for a moment before avoiding eye contact again.

“Even still Nicholson, we should take her warning seriously,” one of the other diplomats piped up nervously.

“Hm, I suppose,” Nicholson said mildly, giving an unconcerned shrug.

“What warning?” Jack asked.

“Well apparently, whenever new worlds like our own suddenly gain access to magic as we know it, we also become accessible to and from other worlds. And by accessible I mean open for conquest and raiding,” Nicholson said, again sounding rather unconcerned.

At that, the soldiers and hunters listening into their conversation broke out into concerned mutterings.

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“Wait, so someone’s gonna pick a fight with us?” Nate asked somewhat hopefully.

“Most likely by the sounds of it, the different powers out there are apparently always looking for more territory and resources. New worlds that have just gained magic like ours seem to be generally seen as primitive backwards places without a functioning civilization, barely able to defend themselves, easy pickings essentially. That's why our elven friend here has graciously offered to escort us to her people so that we can throw ourselves upon their tender mercies and offer ourselves up for vassalage.” Nicholson let out a mirthful chuckle at that.

“They think we can’t defend ourselves? Didn’t she see how we slaughtered her people back at the outpost?” one of the other hunters asked in confusion.

“Oh she was one of several individuals ordered to stay behind with the baggage train whilst the rest of her party assaulted the outpost, neither she nor the others saw precisely transpired. Also it seems the elves, or at least this particular group of elves, have no notion of technology, or at least our form of technology. I rather gather the impression that everything in their culture is based upon magic and perhaps even manual labour, hence the market for slaves,” Nicholson said thoughtfully.

Everyone thought about that before breaking up into different conversations on different topics, wondering just what results the attempts at negotiations would bring when they reached the elven stronghold.

Dr Nicholson didn’t seem too concerned that they were likely doomed to fail, which was an odd attitude for a professional negotiator and diplomat to have. Though Jack did think on what sort of civilizations were apparently now out there, if they’d had access to magic all this time, then why would they bother developing any form of technology. Why bother developing a better plough for farm fields when you could just shift the earth yourself using the earth element? Why bother making faster ships when you could use the water element to propel you through the water? Why bother making better weapons when you could incinerate your enemies with a wave of your hand? Why try to come up with a better way of doing things at all? He wondered if perhaps magic kills innovation and what that might mean for their own society.

Soon enough, it was time for bed if they were to get up early tomorrow. Jack wasn’t on watch that night so he crawled into the tent he shared with Nate and Noah and swiftly fell asleep.

********************************

“This is it you wimps, we’re nearly there according to our friendly little elf helper,” Cheryl addressed them all. “You hunters and surveyors stay back, me and Lieutenant Daniels will take the lead while the marines cover the negotiators. Oh but Jack, you stay with me and be ready to throw up a shield when I say, just to be safe.” She grinned knowingly at him.

Jack rolled his eyes but then nodded anyway and stepped over to her.

“Remember hunters, only the marines are allowed to shoot unless you need to defend yourselves or I order otherwise, understood?” Cheryl looked at the hunters and surveyors sternly. Everyone nodded and agreed. “Excellent,” she said brightly. “Let's get cracking then!” She turned around and led everyone forward.

The elf had led them through the Woods for almost a week before they neared their destination. As the expedition got closer to their goal, they began to notice various poles stuck in the ground here and there along the way. Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that these poles were covered in runes. When asked about them, the elf shrugged and said that the poles were simple devices that served to dissuade monsters from venturing to near the area; a sort of monster repellent, they also stopped monsters from spawning in that area. Needless to say this generated much interest from the expedition, but when asked how they worked, she shrugged again and said to ask a mage, she had no idea. However that finding alone probably made the expedition worthwhile, Jack strongly felt that they should quit while they were ahead but he kept that to himself, regardless he made sure to take plenty of pictures.

Currently, the expedition was still within the tree line, about to leave it and get their first look at the so-called mighty elven stronghold. If nothing else, the surveyors who’d scouted ahead assured them it was spectacular. They left behind a few of the soldiers, surveyors and one hunter team to set up a fortified position just out of sight of the fortress, just in case they needed to retreat in a hurry. The soldiers left behind got busy setting up a machine gun nest.

The group left the tree line and Jack was indeed treated to a spectacular sight. It was like a castle straight out of fantasy. It was a large fortress made of white stone with ethereal green and blue lights stabbing upwards into the gloom of the Dire Woods across its fortifications. It had a large sweeping curtain wall surrounding a series of tall thin towers and a central keep with banners and flags hanging limply. When Jack looked through a pair of binoculars, he could see that much of the stone work was heavily gilded and decorated with elaborate carvings and metal work. He also noticed figures walking along the ramparts of the curtain wall, probably guards or sentries he decided.

He made sure to take a selfie of it all, Cheryl quickly ducked in and gave a peace sign with a grin as he took it. They chuckled to each other before getting back to business.

Cheryl gestured to the elf and had her step up next to her. She put a gentle but firm hand on the elf’s back and then marched across the two hundred metres of no man's land towards the fortress. Soon after the expedition emerged from the darkness of the tree line, a wailing blast from some sort of horn could be heard from the elven stronghold.

A few steps later, Cheryl looked at the elf and leaned over to speak into her ear. “You’re up princess, tell ‘em we come in peace,” Cheryl ordered the elf quietly.

The elf probably still couldn’t tell what was being said but she seemed to know what she was supposed to do. She shouted something to her fellows in the stronghold and from the way that arrows, elemental attacks or ballista bolts didn’t fly out at them from the siege weapons on the walls, whatever she said likely worked. Cheryl grunted a thanks.

Just as they were within a stone's throw in distance from the walls, a large set of strong double gates began to open outwards with a boom and a rattle. From them emerged a very brightly but smartly dressed troop of elves in uniform armour carrying matching polearms, they marched out in two perfectly parallel columns. In the middle of the columns was a very impressively armoured elf riding some sort of quadrupedal large reptilian horse-like creature. The two columns of elves marched towards them in perfect lockstep, the first elves marched past them and continued until both columns of elves stood on either side of the human expedition. Each elf carried a halberd which they slammed into the ground as they right or left faced to turn inward, again in perfect unison. Each elf wore full plate mail which was heavily gilded with silver and red enamel and decorated but still looked functionable, they also wore full helms with the visors down.

The mounted elf was similarly attired though their armour somehow looked to be even more impressive and decorated to an almost gaudy degree, clearly these elves didn’t believe in understating. They rode their mount down the centre of the elven ranks at a leisurely pace until its snorting snout was barely an inch from Cheryl’s face, she didn’t flinch, she simply stared impassively at the mounted elf.

Jack waited slightly nervously for the ‘negotiations’ to start, however somebody else had other ideas. The female elf who’d guided them there suddenly scrambled forward. At the same time, Dr Nicholson let out an amused chuckle and smoothly placed himself into the centre of the group.

The female elf leapt forward towards the mounted elf and rapidly and fearfully jabbered something in the elven language, pointing at the human expedition accusingly. The mounted elf looked down at the female while she spoke but then suddenly twisted to look at the humans. Jack heard a snarl of anger emanate from the elf’s helm before they suddenly cried out something in their language. The elves on either side of them quickly lowered their halberds and looked ready to attack. The mounted elf shouted something else and made a sideways slashing motion with their hand.

Just as the first elf made a move, Cheryl turned slightly to the marine Lieutenant and nodded.

“Marines! Open fire!!” the Lieutenant cried out. Barely a split second later, the soldiers had their rifles out and firing. The attacking elves on both sides went down in a hail of gunfire, their armour doing little to protect them. The mounted elf didn’t have time to be surprised as Cheryl gripped the snout of the mount and pulled its face into the earth, she then sent a powerful punch straight into their visor which caved in. The elf went sprawling and didn’t get up.

Jack meanwhile, had his shield up over their heads and had it spread to cover a wide area, he was keeping busy protecting the humans from dozens of arrows and fireballs raining down upon them from the gate house and wall ramparts.

The last of the elves on the ground were shot down, their armour riddled with smoking holes and spitting out hot cinders and molten globules of flesh.

“Move forward! Into the gatehouse!” the Lieutenant ordered.

Cheryl nodded and sprinted forwards ahead of them. Jack kept his umbrella shield going to protect the humans who ran for the gates. Some of the soldiers had to grab the diplomats and drag them on. Nicholson however, simply jogged onwards, still chuckling.

The humans ran into a large gate house about the size of a small mansion. They stopped in the centre of a large open space, two sets of stone stairs led up to the upper level and the walls. About twenty metres further on, along a wide stone avenue, was the gatehouse entrance where the humans could see a large courtyard and the main keep of the elven stronghold. Above them still however, were multiple elves pointing bows and arrows at them from an upper gantry. The soldiers reacted quickly and began firing with precision. Jack made sure to keep his shield up while the soldiers dealt with the threat. Soon after, the shooting was done.

“Secure the area! Jenkins go upstairs and take the west! Darrel take the east!” the Lieutenant order, sending two groups of marines up both sets of stairs to the upper level. “The rest of you sweep the ground level with me!” With that, the Lieutenant strode off followed by several of his men through a door to their left.

The rest of the expedition including the hunters, surveyors and diplomats waited in the middle of the gatehouse. Moments later, gunfire and screaming could be heard emanating throughout the building.

“Well that went well,” Jack remarked sardonically.

“Yeah, things fell apart even faster than I thought they would,” Kate cheerfully commented.

One of the diplomats doubled over and vomited.

“C’mon Cheryl, let us off the leash, it's gotta be time now,” Nate pleaded.

“Not yet, we’ll regroup with the marines once they’ve cleared this place then assault the main keep,” she calmly informed them, leaning against the wall and crossing her arms.

“What!? You can’t be serious! This is a disaster! A complete disaster! The negotiations have clearly failed and we need to get out of here!” one of the diplomats wailed in distress.

“The negotiations haven’t necessarily failed my friend, there are many forms of diplomacy after all. Some might even say that war is just an extension of diplomacy,” Dr Nicholson interjected good naturedly. He appeared quite jovial, as gunfire and screams of pain echoed throughout the gatehouse.

“Are you mad Nicholson!? This isn’t what we came here for! This is a slaughter!” another one of the diplomats said angrily.

“Exactly! It is a slaughter! These people are clearly unwilling or perhaps even incapable of negotiation or compromise, I very much get the impression they’re used to being at or near the top of the food chain. Well now it's time we told them otherwise. Once they realise we’re a force to be reckoned with, they’ll be more willing to sit down and talk! If we retreat now, they’ll see it as a sign of weakness and harry us all the way back to the outpost, then they’ll never take us seriously. You can kiss goodbye to any form of peaceful negotiation then,” Nicholson explained as calmly as he could. However, Jack could see that he was just a little bit excited by it all, he could see Nicholson trying to hide the upturn at the edges of his mouth.

The diplomats looked uncertain and shared worried glances with each other.

“Regardless of potential future negotiations, retreating now would be a tactical mistake. Dr Nicholson is right, we would have to assume that these elves would pursue us into the bush. From there they could launch raids on us with impunity, we’d make ourselves vulnerable,” Cheryl calmly spoke up from where she casually leaned against the wall.

“Agreed, we have to press on and secure this fortress,” the lieutenant said as he came through a side door along the gatehouse avenue. More of his soldiers followed him and came down the stairs. “These people don’t have advanced weaponry, one or two of them seem to be decently powerful cultivators but their armour and weapons aren’t any better than a low level hunter’s equipment from Earth,” he told Cheryl.

She nodded. “Fine then, we’ll press on. My hunters will back you up,” she told him and he nodded before turning to Jack.

“Errant, would you take point and when I say, put that shield of yours up?” he asked and Jack nodded. “Good, let's go!”

With that, everyone marched up the avenue towards the inner courtyard of the stronghold.