Fortune Favors the Benevolent
Rynault, King of the Alfar, awaited in a grand field of wind swept grass. It might have proved pleasant if not for that incessant thought, the reality that this same place would soon become a graveyard.
The king waited patiently during my approach. He wore a cloak of green, but the rest of his attire alluded my gaze. It somehow seemed comprised of spring wind and falling leaves, though I could not fathom what gave such an impression. Sometimes green sailors would adopt illusions with their sea sickness. Mayhaps this was just a sign that I had yet adjusted to being back ashore.
“Good tidings,” Rynault greeted. “Might I be in the company of General Jallenhorn?”
I reigned in my black stallion, who drew to an uneasy halt alongside the kings own—a sleek brown beauty, solid in color. We had so much in common, and he didn’t at all seem like a bad sort. Shame. I glanced to the stick held at my side, the white flag dangling from its opposite end. The site of it disgusted me, and I was forced to avert my gaze.
I sighed, throwing the false flag onto the ground. “It is my regret to inform you that Jallenhorn won’t be joining us.”
The king’s expression didn’t change but his eyes might’ve shown a sorrow. “Tis a ruse, then?”
“I’m afraid so, M’lord. I wish it weren’t, but honor be in short supply among my own. The great general thought your arrows and magic fire were an ill match for our napalm and bullets, and so, he means to end the war here and now. On this very spot.”
“You speak truthfully. And you willfully carried out this plan, forfeiting your own life in the process? Am I not your enemy? Should you not withhold your secrets so that your general—”
“He ain’t my general. Me and you’s square save for you supposing I’m aligned with that bastard. The only reason I agreed to do this is because they agreed to take care of my family, which’n I hadn’t seen in more years than my grandkids have been alive. Damn that Jallenhorn and the lot of them. I shouldn’t even be here. I’m just a simple fishermen got up caught up their nets and conscripted into their navy. I severed my time and when it was up, I asked to return home. Care to hear of my reward for my years spent and time served?”
“I suspect it was unsavory.”
I spit. “Promoted. To front-line infantry.” I turned back to my country’s army, their columns of red cloth and gray metal stretching wide below the setting sun to form its own horizon. What’s taking them so long? Let it be done already. I’d not agreed to time enough to recount my regrets.
“Might I know your name, sailor?”
“I reckon, I see no harm in it. It’s Pent.”
“Tell me, Sailor Pent, you obviously have no trust for this army of yours... What reason do you have in believing that they’ll see to the wellbeing of your family?”
My shoulders sagged. “I’d rather not run the odds. Might be tis only a fool’s chance... But tis a chance that bares my name and likeness. I couldn’t deny it.”
“Do hate them for their actions?”
I looked at him then. How is he so calm? Has he not been hearing what I been saying? “Highness, have you listened naught? Any moment, they will incinerate the field on which we stand. I hardly see what good it would do to air such thoughts. After what I’ve said, shouldn’t you and yours be attempting to withdraw?”
The king nodded. “Master Pent, you seem an honorable sort, so I feel I have my own confession to share. Would you hear it?”
“Aye. If ye be need’n to unburden yourself, t’would be me honor.”
King Rynault looked back to his own army, a wide and of silver that almost seemed an ornament strung around the base of the mountain beyond. “I too presented a ruse, but it was in overestimating your army. I presumed that yours would attack during my return trip from what was doomed to be a failed parley. I’d not risk my people to chance, so I brought them not at all.”
I blinked, looking between him and the distant band that he still fixated on. “Then, what of that army there?”
His gaze found mine, a bemused smile occupying his face. “Tis only an illusion.”
I laughed, realizing it might have been loud enough for my own army to hear, then laughed anew. “Gods, M’lord, you’ve got some stones on you. And more than enough to make up for that lack of sense. Just how were you planning to manage, a single king against an army?”
“You’d be surprised how much more reliable our arrows and magic fire can be compared to your blasting caps—a fact that I’m certain our dear Mr. Jallenhorn is still trying to sort out.
My eyes widened. “You did something? Some of your magic craft?”
“Was only a trifle but bought enough time for me to learn a great truth. You never answered my question, though. Do you hate them?”
I scratched at my beard, then rubbed my neck. I wanted to. “Hate... It’s the emotion of a young mind, and I haven’t the equipment to muster it. Even if I somehow found my way home to discover my loved ones all dead and gone, I think all I’d feel was hollow... an empty seashell that had even managed to lose its ‘sea.’”
“Your travels have garnered you much wisdom, Master Pent. I would much like to hear of them. Tell me, if I can provide your family safe passage, would you all consider dwelling here with me and mine?”
“M’lord, I...”
King Rynault raised his hand for silence. “Just think on it a moment. I will send your army into retreat, but know that I bare them no ill will.”
Boom!
I flinched as an explosion erupted from my army.
Ba-ba-ba-boom! Fires and explosions erupted across the entire horizon, tendrils of black smoke rising up and curving with the wind.
“What’s happening?” I asked.
“I allowed all of their blasting caps to work again, but only after melding their respective rounds to the chambers that housed them. It’s unfortunate that some had other munitions stockpiled so close.”
I watched with disbelief as ranks seemed to break down, fires spreading. After a time, I realized my mouth was hanging open, quickly closed it, and cleared my throat.
“Have you given my question any more thought?” King Rynault asked.
“It is a most generous offer, one I fear I don’t deserve. But if you can manage my family’s safe passage, we’ll need nothing else. We’ll make our own way and not trouble you none.”
King Rynaught drew his horse around and beckoned. “Then, come. Your army will be retiring, but you and your family are the friends and guest sof my people. Tell me, what are your ships like?”
As he led his horse back towards his illusory army, I quickly joined his side, all too happy to share the events of my life’s journey.
[WP] “Surrender Now! Your fantasy arrows and fireballs are no match for our bullets and napalm.” “Your confidence is misplaced, human. Allow us to demonstrate a fraction of what real magic looks like.”
