Prime Legate Janai stood, blade stuck in the ground next to her, on the Xadian side of the Breach. Next to her were the skywing and earthblood commanders. For almost a week now, the Auxilia and the human joint force had been staring at each other across the divide with baited breath. So far the humans had kept their word, not advancing, not even twitching in a menacing fashion. This was somewhat impressive seeing how Sol Regem's minions were circling above them, diving ever so often to provoke them.
A transparent tactic he had kept up for months, ramping it up now, trying to bait the humans into attacking.
Even Evenere's banner was still planted firmly on the human side.
"What do your… elven eyes see?", came a confused voice. Amaya and Helmond, who had translated her greeting, appeared behind her, 'What other type of eyes would she have, General?', he signed.
"General. Legate. My `elven` eyes see a truce in good effect. How about your human ones?"
"They saw a young, stupid king take the advice of his snobby, worried nobles. I think anything is possible now.", Amaya snickered, "I am glad you never had to use the information I gave you."
Janai nodded curtly. "It's… strange to stand here every day. Strange to watch as you do the same. On a normal day we would catch human bounty hunters, trying to cross.", she harrumphed and continued with bemused reprimand, "Other days we'd find a less than well hidden human outpost. It's odd to be at war and have the situation be more peaceful than normal. Luckily, the delegates won't reach a safe place any time soon. They might start to wonder for news from the front once not distracted by fleeing. I figure they will be near Larwein now. Another two weeks travel should get them to Tiram-Veltis. We've been quiet so far."
Helmond scowled, "It is Veltis-Tiram, princeps."
Janai waved dismissively at him, "The point is, I do not know what to tell them once the time comes."
"Ha! We'll tell them to come fight if they want it so bad!", bellowed the earthblood Legate in his deep voice, "I can't believe my eyes! Look at these stalwart Pinkos! I know sunfire veterans who ran from a swooping dragon! And they're allies! Look at them, Helmond, if that was you, you'd be wetting your wrappers!"
Helmond frowned, "Legate… I do not believe I know you. Would it not be time we got acquainted?"
This apparently amused the rock-clad soldier. "Oh, I know you, friend, through the dusty tales of Janai. Seeing you now though - odd how people change! The name is Temek. Legate Temek below Iowend."
Amaya surveyed the earthblood Legate. His dark face sported a well-shaped, dense, tight black beard. In his brown eyes, there was determination and humor. He seemed strong, but also like he'd passed his prime in that regard. Under the rocky helmet, not a strand of hair could be seen, so she assumed he was bald.
"I am Helmond. Former Legate of the Lucid."
"Oh, eww!", Temek nervously lowered his hand, raised in greeting, "Agent of the Lucid, eh? She didn't tell us that! Yikes, friend! I'm not sure I should want to know more about you."
Helmond harrumphed with amusement, "I see you are of good sense."
"Given the chance, I will also introduce myself", the skywing Legate said, "The name is Yatende Tani."
Tani was lithe, as most skywing elves seemed to be. Her black hair had a blue sheen and her eyes reminded Amaya of her own, other than their light blue color. She had put on a layer of white primer, a crisp red lip gloss and added black highlights to her eyes. The general was bemused. Warriors who cared about such things were rare anywhere other than Duren. She wore a decorated, clean skywing armor and a mage's circlet.
"Well met", Helmond said, "The convocation Yatende is well regarded."
"You being an agent of the Lucid lends a bit of irony to that statement, Helmond"
"That may be so, but I was not personally involved with the deposition of Vocant Terhan."
The skywing smiled, "It's an old scandal, either way, and the humans settled it for us. At the moment, I believe this", she gestured at the scenery, "deserves our full attention."
Janai smirked at their exchange. "It's dire times, but with Helmond here we should at least have some fun."
The Ex-Legate's eyes narrowed, "You may remember our time together fondly, Janai, I however cringe at our teenage exploits."
She snorted loudly, "So you should! Fondly?! Ha! You were terrible! It's no wonder I now prefer a woman's touch!"
Helmond blushed. Amaya did a dumbfounded double take. He could do that?!
"This is not the sort of conversation to be had under the open sky", the Ex-Legate grumbled.
"Friend, have you noticed?", Temek said, using both hands to point at Janai "This here is a sunfire elf. They have no decorum."
"Decorum!? That's one way do describe cowardice to say and do what needs to be said and done, Temek", Janai smiled at him dangerously.
"Your fiery looks may scare our friend Astilliar, but you're going to have to work harder than that to make me quake", Temek laughed at her. The sunfire elf merely roughly patted his shoulder as an answer.
"So, General. I doubt you've come over here to watch us banter."
"It is amusing, but no", Amaya signed, "I came to bring our leaders' thanks. We thought we could give gifts but those may be misconstrued as bribery, so the words are hopefully enough to convey our relief."
She handed them five letters, "I will recommend you read Evenere's first."
Temek unfolded the letter and read.
"Hello Elves", he snorted and broke into breathless wheezes. "Wh-what a great way t-to start!"
After a moment, he recovered, his gloves receded, allowing him to wipe tears from his eyes. At the same time, the vines in his armor moved him into a sitting position.
"Hello Elves", he started over, barely holding on to his composure, "My stupid advisors tell me that without the support of the other kingdoms, we're just going to die by attacking. I disagree but there's some dumb law that says I have to listen to them if there's enough of them. I still want to kill you really badly so don't get any wrong ideas. I will avenge my parents and wipe you losers off the face of the earth", he put the letter down, laughing silently with his eyes pressed shut. After a moment, he cleared his throat and continued, "You should be happy that there are many idiots on this side of the border who see an elf killing someone and blame humans for it. You also should be happy that Katolis has a larger army than I do. Signed, The King."
Janai shook her head, bemused by Temek's toneless laughter.
Tani unfurled Duren's letter.
"Most honoured Legates", she started, nodding approvingly at the correct use of their ranks, "I thank you for staying your weapons against the orders of your leaders. It is not in my interest to see my people die in a war I consider sense- and pointless. After all, we have coexisted for a thousand years and I don't see why that should not continue. It is a shame your leaders did not feel the same way but maybe we can find some accord amongst us here that will soften their stance. I would like to propose a meeting. A neutral location of your choosing and our agreement. As a member of the Pentarchy, I know the history of great powers coming together under a single roof for the betterment of all. In either case, Duren thanks you. Queen Aanya, Lady of the Bloom "
Tani blinked. "She did not write this herself, did she? If memory serves, she is young, no older than thirteen years."
"She is a child ruler, but there's no doubt in my mind that this letter came from her mind and her desk.", Amaya explained, "Much like my nephew, she has taken the lessons of history seriously and has learned quickly what it means to wear the crown."
Among the rank and file behind and below them, there was commotion. The moonshadow elves yelled something about an attack and to duck. Everyone else was looking around confusedly.
An eagle arrow swooped from the east, impacting near Amaya.
"Quiet down, you twilight partridges!", Temek shouted, "It's a message, nothing more!", to Helmond he said, bemusedly, "The bloody ears on you people, tsk!"
Amaya bent down to pick up the arrow. 'This could be for anyone here. How do we know?'
Helmond translated her question, then answered it, "Open it. Whoever sends these ought to have put the recipient on the outside of the scroll."
Amaya unlatched the head, extracted the letter and turned it. Her heart jumped into her throat and tears welled into her eyes. It was a fine but impatient, untrained script, spelling her and Helmond's names. She hadn't had any news from Callum for a week and seeing this lettering made her heart burst. Rayla was alive.
Even Ezran had gotten nothing. His visions had been limited to Zym hunting bugs, flying short distances between trees and observing a large convoy of troops.
'This is for you and I', the General told Helmond.
"Janai, may we be excused for a moment? It appears we may have gotten some news from friends in the interior."
They found a quiet spot and Amaya unrolled the letter.
"General Amaya, Legate Helmond, I'm guessing you're surprised to hear from me. I was wounded and under a ward for a while. I'm really sorry if that's caused any worry. Helmond, I am so, so sorry to hear of Torlan's passing. Callum and I can only offer our sympathies."
She then recounted what had happened with Kel and Lessa.
"It's clear that we both are going to have to take it easy for a while. Maybe in a week's time we can continue our original plan. We are still with the Legion but are going to separate from them soon since they are going the wrong way. I suppose in a week's time, they'll be your problem. While I'm writing this, Callum is with an oceanwave healer."
Following the paragraph were a lot of crossed out attempts at explaining why he needed the help. The next clearly recognizable sentence read, "I don't know if there's a better way to say this but it looks like he has some mental wounds to heal after all of this. He has my love and support, obviously, but I'm not sure how helpful that will be. Let us know how everything has gone on your end. We are aching for some news. Please be well. Rayla."
Helmond and Amaya smiled at each other. It was so good to hear from them, even if their situation didn't sound ideal.
'We'll have to return the message. Do we have an arrow we could use?', Amaya asked.
'I'm afraid the downside to this mode of communication is that it is very expensive. I have two more in my personal possession. Getting more means trading for them with the Auxilia's quartermaster. I doubt they will be pleased with the suggestion, being pressed for resources themselves. We shall use one of mine though, yes.'
The General and Helmond made their way back to where the others were still waiting.
It looked as though they had finished reading the letters from Neolandia and Del Bar.
Janai was in the last motions of opening Ezran's letter.
"Dear Legates. I am happy to know you are as interested in peace as I am. I feel it would be good to meet in person, to speak about our next steps. Aanya, Queen of Duren, is pressing for this, as well. We will wait for your answer. Please let me know if you have an idea about how we could get your leaders invested in peace. I will be forever in your debt if this conflict ends without death. Best wishes. Ezran, Lord on the Twin Towers."
Temek laughed, "So wait, let me get this right - this is a ten year old? Does human growth dilute your people's wit or are these children the exception?"