The Mechanics of Peace

Chapter 3 - The Meeting

by David "Lord Davidian", posted on April 17th, 2001

Prologue - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 -
Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8

       Chief Elder Balrun's longtime friend and trusted advisor, Tatsun, stood rigid; unwavering, but visibly nervous--as if waiting to be greeted by oblivion. The only part of his statue-like form that moved were his thumbs; circling each other in an endless chase while his hands were clasped tightly together and resting at the small of his back. To his immediate left sat a perfectly at ease Balrun in one of ten intricately carved oak high-backed chairs surrounding a long equally intricately carved oak table. These were the only furnishings in an otherwise bare, but spacious tent.
"Relax Tatsun. Sit and partake of some herb tea," insisted Balrun as he poured two cups of the steaming green liquid, earnestly wanting to ease his dear friend's tension. The pungent aroma of the green tea mingled with that of burning incense made for a very potent calming effect that was hard to resist. The use of these products of nature was a time-honored tradition believed to aid in negotiations with enemies, both potential and obvious. Tatsun reluctantly sat down; more out of respect for his Chief and friend than because of the draw of the potent aroma filling the tent.

       "Now...tell me Tatsun, what is it exactly that bothers you so?" inquired Balrun who was growing wary of Tatsun's still voice.

       "With respect to your wisdom, Balrun, this meeting you are about to have is...ill-advised" replied Tatsun after taking a long sip of the herb tea in front of him and letting its mellowing effects soothe him somewhat. He was actually relieved to finally have the opportunity to speak his mind.

       "How so Tatsun?" probed Balrun just before taking a long sip of his own herb tea.

       "Well, it's a very strong felling I..." Tatsun's response was abruptly cut short by the sudden appearance of another Elder just outside the tents entrance. Balrun's and Tatsun's attentions were now focused on the Elder messenger.

       The Elder messenger's tone was calm but slightly breathless, "Excuse me Elders. Your expected guest and his assistants have arrived."

       "Thank you Falnun. Please, show them in" requested Balrun as both he and Tatsun rose from their chairs and straightened their robes in preparation for meeting the new mayor.

       Falnun bowed slightly and slowly turned to leave. He returned moments later and ushered the group of four directly behind him into the tent. Finally, he turned and left without uttering a word.

       Balrun's and Tatsun's eyes widened in disbelief of what they witnessed standing before them! "The acting Mayor is...is a foul-smelling, ill-mannered Dwarf!?!" They both thought exactly the same thing at exactly the same time. Their reaction was to be expected, however, since the only Dwarves they had ever made contact with were the ones who worked in the copper mines which stretched to the very borders of Benlith Forrest itself. A camp was set up for the workers to sleep at night since not even their employers wanted them in Copperville after dark. More than a few of the Dwarven mine workers staggered their way into the Elven village deep within Benlith Forrest; smelling of intoxication, swearing, and forcing themselves on Elven females. Such vile creatures they were!

       "But wait! This Dwarf is very different" Balrun quickly came to realize. From his posture to his grooming to his clothing; everything about this unusual Dwarf spelled 'civilized gentleman'. He even carried a fine ivory and oak cane, though he showed no visible limp in his gait. "Apparently, not all Dwarves are the same" Balrun surmised, "How encouraging." The now slightly wiser Balrun forced himself out of his appraising state of mind. "Greetings!" he began while now focusing on the Dwarf's eyes "You must be the acting Mayor of Copperville. Allow me to offer my condolences regarding Mayor Griskill's untimely demise. I pray, as we all do, that his gentle spirit will soon find rest."

       The gentleman Dwarf didn't know what was meant by Mayor Griskill's spirit finding rest and neither did he care; he had business to conclude and that took priority over everything. "Forgive me Chief Elder Balrun, but I am actually the acting Mayor's...representative. His honor could not attend this meeting today due pressing...inaugural duties."

       "I see" muttered Balrun with mild annoyance as a dark cloud of suspicion began to form.

       "Allow me to introduce myself and my entourage" the gentleman Dwarf continued, "I am Mr. Gangril Thundersmith; proprietor of the Thundersmith Copper Exchange of Copperville. Behind me are my business associates Grog and Gorg and the lovely lady to my right is my...companion, Ms. Angelica Goodwyn."

       Balrun was so engrossed in his appraisal of Gangril that he hadn't really noticed the others in his company. The blond-haired, blue-eyed young human woman was indeed quite striking, even by Elven standards. As for the other two individuals; they were another story altogether. Looking half-human and half wild boar-like, Balrun could only assume they were Half-Orcs based on what he had read of the other races residing throughout Arcanum. Balrun jokingly thought to himself that if he were a hundred cycles younger and saw these two in alone in the Forrest, he wouldn't know whether to hunt them down for their hides or offer them some herb tea; which reminded him: "Would anyone care to sit and partake of some tea? It is quite soothing."

       Gangril eyed the pungent green liquid warily and spoke for everyone, "No...thank you. We are actually in a bit of a hurry. His honor is keeping us on a very tight schedule I'm afraid."

       The annoyance and suspicion continued to swell inside Balrun, but being the Chief Elder, he kept his feelings well hidden. "Very well than. I do not wish to keep you from your pressing duties. I have a few ideas I would like to go over with you regarding the acting Mayor's proposal to extend the duration of our current treaty..."

       "Oh dear," interrupted Gangril, feigning surprise. "I fear you have been misinformed, Chief Elder Balrun. You see, I am not here to discuss the treaty; rather I am here to make you a very generous offer. I wish to purchase your land from you and relocate your tribe to an equally beautiful Forest not far from here."

       Balrun and Tatsun could not contain their feelings any longer as their mutual annoyance quickly turned to outrage. Tatsun fumed as he excused himself as politely as he could and stormed out of the tent before doing something he would regret.

       "Where is he off to then?" asked Gangril, not really caring.

       "Never mind that, Mr. Thundersmith." Gangril was somewhat surprised at Balrun's suddenly sharp tone. "You insult me and my Kindred with your...proposal, sir!"

       Gangril was at a loss for words. All he could manage was "I don't understand."

       Balrun tried to explain as best he could under the circumstances, "Over one thousand cycles ago, well before any other race set foot on this land, my Kindred ancestors laid claim to this land and made it their home. It is through Earth Goddess Kyra's wisdom and good will that we are one with this Forrest and, so, it is one with us. We cannot; we will not leave that which Kyra has provided for us! I wish that you leave this Forrest now, lest my anger be shown to you! From this moment hence, I will speak only to the Mayor himself or I will speak to no one!"

       Just then, out of the corner of one eye Balrun could see Angelica reaching for what appeared to be some sort of weapon holstered and previously hidden under her sleeveless vest. With amazing dexterity and swiftness, Balrun waved his left arm in a half-circle and uttered what sounded like "Stay thy hand." Suddenly, Angelica was unable to withdraw the pepper-barreled pistol from its holster. It was as if her hand was frozen in time.

       Gangril's jaw dropped at what he had just witnessed. He had heard of magick in the past, but had never actually seen it used since practitioners of the art were outlawed in Copperville for reasons of safety and control. "Please forgive Ms. Goodwyn, Chief Elder Balrun. She tends to over react to bad news. We will leave at once." Gangril flashed a smile at Angelica which said that he was tempted to do the same thing to the stubborn old Elf.

       As Gangril and his cohorts left the village limits, Tatsun returned to the meeting tent. "There will be hard times ahead Tatsun" Balrun admitted as he slumped back into his chair and stared into his now ice-cold tea cup. "Hard times indeed."

       Tatsun nodded in agreement and inquired, "Shall I call for a gathering now, Balrun?"

       "No, not just yet" insisted Balrun, as an idea came to him. "Find the Youngblood, Delvun Oakwood, and bring him to me. I have a special mission for him."

       Tatsun looked puzzled and curious, but carried out his Chief's orders nonetheless.