From atop a tall tower, King Horus Targonor Furth admired the city of Targonor. Surely, this is as great as anything the ancients wrought, he thought. Nothing on modern Thestra could compare to his city, or his kingdom.
His reverie was interrupted by the arrival of his counselor.
"Sire, Southwatch has fallen", the counselor said without preamble or flourish.
"Grim news indeed, my friend," replied the king. "What details have you?"
"Very little, milord, only that a small group of the defenders managed to escape, and the numbers of the invaders are beyond counting."
"Where are these survivors now? I would speak to them myself," said the king.
"Alas, sire, they are not available. The survivors were led to the Cleft by a young dwarf named Degin, where they are recovering from their wounds."
"And what news of the invaders?" asked the king.
"That sire, seems a little more encouraging. They have not moved past the Beranid foothills, and it looks as if they have little desire to do so at this time. But neither have they withdrawn."
"Interesting", said the king. "Tell me about the Vulmani."
"Milord, the Vulmani are encamped just west of the Brightwoods. They say they will welcome any who wish to treat with them, and that they are not a threat. The elves, of course, refuse to believe them, nor can I begrudge the elves their sentiment."
"But with what is happening on the south frontier, I have no doubts that the Vulmani speak the truth."
"Now would be an ideal time to rid us of their nuisance once and for all, don't you think?" said the king.
The counselor considered the king's words for a long moment before replying.
"Sire, I suppose we could readily dispatch the Vulmani, now that they are out of their forest element. However, I also think we might have need of them in the future, and we can ill-afford any losses in battle with this new threat looming quite large."
"What then, do you propose we do about the Vulmani? And if we don't take action, what is to prevent a force from Leth Nurae seeking to settle old scores?" asked the king.
"Of the Vulmani, and the Elves, I have a notion. To the Vulmani we will cede some lands in the Northern Plains, mostly useless to us, in return for their fealty. Once they have sworn fealty, the Elves dare not attack them, since to do so would be committing an act of war upon your kingdom, and Elves are not so foolish as that."
"Do you think we can keep them in line?" asked the king. "Raiding, stealing, all of that would have to stop."
"I think we can manage them, milord. Many of their most savage warriors fell before the invaders; those that remain are no more dangerous than the men of Falgarholm are. Which is to say, they will be a problem, but a manageable one, and worth the cost."
"Even the most skilled hunters of the Elves acknowledge the Vulmani as their superior in terms of woodcraft and stealth." continued the counselor. "These traits will have much value in the times to come, I am sure of it."
"Your plan seems sound, old friend. I will heed your advice on this matter," said the king after some thought.
"Thank you sire, I truly believe you will not regret this course of action." said the counselor.
"But what of the invaders?" asked the king.
"We wait and see, my liege." replied the counselor. "We wait, and we see."
Submitted by
Nocte
Date
5/1/05
Source
Vanguard: Saga of Heroes Web Lore
Notes
Thestra Lore
