Tolan seemed to have gotten mildly angry, or at least higly concerned, as the lieutenant had spoken, an expression that changed to extreme uncertainty as Sterling described the plan for the War Council. He leaned forward seriously. "And how do I convince them that the overture of returning Ingeld was not bait for a trap when they see your army marching on them?" he asked. "They will not take lightly to one hundred fifty Drow marching into their forest before the alliance is made. I doubt the show of strength will impress them. Do not bring your entire company into this war council before we formalize our pledges of unity, Captain. They will be cut to ribbons before they can get a hundred yards into the forest. Take a small group, perhaps, and fly the flag of truce. I do agree that having all the leaders there to plan and agree upon a strategy is vital to our success. But if they see the entire company of Shadow Riders 'invading their territory,' without an alliance made beforehand, no matter what I might say, they will take it as a threat and act accordingly."Sterling considered all that Lord Tolan had to say and replied, "Agreed! That's an excellent idea. I'll take four of my men with me, and leave the rest of them in an area north of Pembroke and east of the King's Highway. We'll come under a flag of truce, I just hope an pray that you'll have the terms of this alliance worked out by that time! Otherwise, we're going to be dead ducks! Flag of truce or not!"
"And what you said, Lieutenant," he added quietly but with deadly seriousness in his voice, "Keep in mind that I have personal ties to the Elves. You are proud to say that you can use this mission as a chance to learn information about them- and though I want to believe otherwise, I fear that you mean in order to use this information against your 'old enemy' in the future. I have higher hopes than that. I have hopes that this alliance might lead to something more. A scaling back in the hostilities between your people, perhaps. This war has gone on far too long. And I hope you understand, if the Elves, for one second, get the impression that you are spying rather than returning a child in good faith, they will shred you into a thousand pieces and there will be nothing I or my men can do to stop them."
The Lieutenant looked a little downcast and then said, "Forgive me, Lord Tolan, but I was just approaching our problem as any soldier would. And I do admit that I was planning on using the information that I would have gained against any Wood Elves that we might have encountered in the future."
Looking directly into the High Councilor's eyes, the Drow Officer said, "However, you are right, sir! There has been too much blood shed--on both sides! And maybe, the dream of Pax Sylvana can become a reality from such an alliance as this! From this point on, I shall gear all of my efforts towards returning the child and favorably representing my Captain's interests to all parties involved."
"Let us return the child to the Swan May first," Tolan then offered as a slight alteration to Sterling's plan. "It will be easier to gain their trust first as we have a clear offering of peace. Then, with that friendship unofficially 'sealed,' you will be able to begin your push into that part of the forest, and we will be in a better, more united position to approach the Elves. Once we have them convinced of our sincerity, we will arrange this war council. We should be able to meet at the time and place arranged, Captian. Just be sure to bring a delegation rather than your whole company. Camp the rest of your men just outside the forest where they will be ready to join you and move quickly when the alliance is signed. It will be less threatening this way, and I believe it will be easier to convince them not to attack a small group entering the forest than a large company of soldiers. Is that workable, Captain, or do you prefer not to divide your men so?"
"It's workable, Lord Tolan, I'll do as you ask!" chuckling a little, the Swordsman said, "Just be sure that you've got everyone on the same page, I would hate for the Wood Elves and the Swan Mays to form an alliance and then decide to turn on us! Okay?"
"If I may interject something totally unrelated to the issue at hand, I do believe that the men are up to some sort of mischief, sir." said the Lieutenant more than a little concerned.
"Mischief!?!" asked Sterling absently.
"Yes, sir!" replied the Lieutenant evenly, "While Nightrunner was bringing me here, I noticed a large group of our men gathered around a tent. They appeared to be placing bets, but I do not know upon what, sir!"
"Well, let's go find out!" said the Drow Swordsman calmly, "Lord Tolan, would you care to join us? This might prove to be quite educational!"
A Point To Ponder
