Marak stood pacing in his room pondering on the situation with the… heck he didn't even know what they're called. When her 'company' arrived he was surprised that there were women and children with them, all armed to the teeth. But despite of everything none of them, not even the children, would involve themselves with any elf or goblin. The only word he could explain the relationship between their people is frustrating. When any of his patrols try to talk to them they just look at them and walk away while while muttering a single word under their breath.

But the words that Aeira spoke after informing the kings of her orders was what bothered him most "We will defend your land while we occupy it and we will try our best to stay out of your way while we're here." it was them occupying was what was bothering him, she had underhandedly told him that they were invading part of his land. He knew if he wanted to he could force them out but that would cost a lot of lives of his subjects, if they fought back… which they likely would.

But did he want them gone? Their leader Aeira intrigued him, his magic told him from the moment he saw her that she was something special. Her success over the wolf had only confirmed what his magic told him… but she was way too cold for his preference. During the whole scene she had shown no emotion and his spies told him that when talking with any of her men she remained professional, never letting her guard down.

A loud crash echoed from outside his door forced him from his thoughts, huffing he growled a loud "Enter!" Entering a rather disheveled guard entered the room. "Roslen, what news do you bring?" he asked looking at the odd huge bird turtle mix.

"Marak… they…. they invited you to join them for their evening meal." she huffed slightly out of breath "Their messenger seemed very insistent that you attend. They also said that they're inviting the elf king as well."

Eyes furrowed in thought Marak thought it through. "Tell their messenger that I will be there."

At his words the small crowd that had gathered around the door gasped "But your majesty it's a trap!" they objected "They must be planning something!"

With a raise of his hand he silenced their protests "What would it look like if the elves show up and we don't! Any way this seems to be the only way to get any answers."

"Yes Marak…" Roslen left to do as he had ordered. Turning Marak readied himself for that evening.

As he awoke that evening he had found a messenger waiting to escort him. Leaving the comforts of his kingdom he followed his guide through the trees and past posted guards. At some point the elf king and his guide joined them, the two guides walking in sync. Just watching them the two kings couldn't help but walk in the same rhythm than the two ahead of them. Before they knew it they had arrived.

Everyone had gathered within small, what looked like, family or friend circles. But the guides kept leading them deeper and deeper into the camp until they reached a small semi circle where Aeira and some men sat discussing something. Standing infront of the group she looked up dismissing the guides she welcomed them to their circle "Welcome. Please sit, our meal will begin shortly." the two kings sat on the ground, one much more easily than the other.

As soon as everyone had sat down the children appeared in groups two or three, all helping to carry baskets full of fruit to each circle. When the baskets were given out three of the children sat within their circle, one on both sides of the kings with one in the middle between them. The basket sat in the exact middle of the group.

Just as the two kings reached for the food, the children grabbed ahold of their hands. Blinking in surprise they glanced around to find that everyone was holding their neighbors' hands. With their eyes closed and the slight glowing, they were obviously doing a spell of some sort. Trying to pull their hands free but the children's grips seemed to be made of steel from their progress.

But soon the glow disappeared and they were free from the grip of the children. Grabbing ahold of a fruit each they waited for their guests to grab one before eating their fruit. Looking over the fruit they couldn't tell what it was, only that they've never seen it before. Hesitantly Marak brought it to him mouth and bit into it. The outside was solid but as soon as he broke through the skin his mouth was flooded with a strange delicious taste. Before he knew it he had finished the whole thing "What do you call this?"

"We call these glass freme." Aeira told him as she grabbed another "They grow everywhere at the capital."

"Capital?"

"Where our kingdom is. We call it the Capital." she told him like it was the simplest thing in the world. "And before you ask all the women that we have in camp are married."

"So you're married?!" Marak asked, surprised that his magic would lead him to a married woman.

Everything turned to an abrupt silence at his question, even the children stayed silent until she finally answered with a quiet "It's complicated." afterward it took a while before the voices returned. But even then the conversation in their ring didn't.

The tension as so thick that it was hard to breath. In an attempt for something to distract them Marak noticed the children sitting among them and their eyes staring up at him and the Elf king. "What's wrong? Is there something in between my teeth?"

"No sir. We've never seen a live coward before." the child said it in such a light tone that it took him a moment before he took in what the child said.

"Excuse me?! What makes you say that!" he asked angrily just to hear Aeria sigh.

"It's a legend." she explained. "It is said that in the very beginning of the war we went to the elves and goblins for help. Their kings agreed to help us fight, just to flee as the fighting began. After they fled they were never heard from again. It is the first tale that parents teach their children."

"Is that why they've been ignoring our patrols?"

She looked puzzled for a moment before her usual stagnant mask reappeared "It is their choice on who they associate with. But I can talk with them. "

"Thank you."

Opening her mouth again she was interrupted by a man coming up to her and whispering in her ear "I see… I'll be there in a moment… excuse me." she excused herself and followed the messanger.