Koda knelt at the side of the injured Lear, holding his hand tightly as Essie did her best to tend to his bloody wound. A bandage was wrapped around the bruise on his neck. It throbbed, but it let him know he was alive. Alive, that is, thanks to Elucard’s efforts. The man that had slain his father and left him alive as an act of mercy had now saved his life as well. He was at Alanna’s feet; even a single second of hesitation and he would have been dead.

Lear winced as Essie cleaned the wound with a bottle of whiskey that she had scavenged from the neighboring Eighth Spearman. Her dwindling medical supplies did not deter her from working at her utmost peak with what she had.

“Is he going to be alright?” Koda asked, his eyes wide with hope and worry. The yikahti was a hero to him. All of ARO proved to be more than he expected. The amount of dirt they had to endure from himself and his military had all been unwarranted.

“Well, I’m using the last of my dullweed on Lear here. I have to clean his wounds with this half empty bottle of whiskey. I don’t have any blistercloth to close his wound. On the bright side the Rabbit’s blade missed any vital organs and I think the bleeding will stop once I get him stitched up. So as long as he doesn’t fight anymore Rabbits and break his stitches, he should be fine. Of course, if he does break them, he’ll bleed to death because I don’t have the supplies to save him. But we’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” Essie said, her tone rife with dark humor and sarcasm. Koda did not find the dire situation as humorous, however. Essie was pleased that her cat-folk friend meekly chuckled.

“Bring word of any changes to Lear’s condition, positive or negative,” commanded Koda as he stood and brushed the soil from his trousers. He moved quickly, making his way back to the northern lines.

***

Cass moved quietly through the back lines, checking on the weary and sleepless men, reassuring them that the end of the nights in the “Forest of the Splintered Skies” was at its end. Men with bloodstained bandages swathed around their faces and arms in slings were happy to see their Lady. They swore an oath to serve their tribe and would not falter, however this forest was known to make weak even the strongest men. No common elves such as these were safe from the demoralizing effects of another two weeks of dire straights. Koda’s army had been held at Estinia’s mercy for nearly a month now. They had no supplies, they had no access to fresh men, and they had no way to retreat. They had only themselves and the hope that their leaders gave them.

Cass slid into the foxhole with her king and fellow lord. Cass knew her situation was grim, but she kept her misery low. Athar, on the other hand, let his misery shine.

“My King, this is the twenty-third sunrise that we’ve endured in this forest. We have run out of fresh water and when we sent men to find a river, only half of them returned. No doubt Black Rabbits were the culprits. We have run out of food, and the same fate that befell the water scouts have struck the foragers as well.”

Koda stared bitterly at Athar. He had given his report every day since they arrived in this mess. Koda ignored Athar, but he continued.

“My King, our medics say that over half our army is either injured or have fallen ill. We can not wait to die any longer, action must be taken.”

Koda slowly turned his head away from Athar. Indeed, something needed to be done. A full on assault was never advised by Ashmer. At their best, his army would have been decimated by the siege engines.

“My King, an Estinian officer requests a parley to speak with you,” called out a voice, breaking Koda’s depressing thoughts.

Koda looked up to see a messenger staring back down at him. His young, dirt covered face bore witness to the fact that he had seen too much for one lifetime. However, there was still vigor in his eyes. He was still ready to fight for the freedom of Varis and Long Whisper.

“Athar, come with me. Cass, fetch Wiccer, Avalon, and Ashmer, then come join us on the front lines. We shall see what Estinia has in store for us.”

On the field between the Estinian lines and the forest border, Koda and his company stood facing Estinian soldiers on white horses. They were not in any sort of armor, but in clean and pressed tan military tunics adorned with various medals and ribbons. By their sides were sheathed ornate golden sabers.

“King Koda, et es a pleasure to finally meet you. I em Commander Unrick. I command dis great army of Estinian soldiers. As you can see ve hev come to vish you to be en no more harm’s vay.”

Koda bowed politely, “Commander, what do you have to say?”

“King Koda, ve are prepared to march ento your forest en slaughter every von of your men to capture and enslave you. However, dat is not necessary. Ve hev the resources, do not forget dat. Ve are allowing you to surrender your men and your crown. Your men vill be taken en to continue dere service, but in de service of the von true king. De Div’Rah.”

“Surrender?” said Koda, taken aback. He saw this ultimatum coming from leagues away, but to have it stated to him so plainly caught him slightly off guard. It was all too real.

“Ve vill give you entil dawn to dink et over. Good day, King Koda,” finished Unrick before nodding and trotting back to Stonewall.

***

“You must surrender, my King,” Athar urged.

Koda, Avalon, Wiccer, Ashmer, Athar and Cass stood in a secluded, but well guarded section of the woods. Athar’s negativity must have finally worn through Koda’s mind, because it seemed like the best option.

“Ashmer, can anything else be done?” Koda asked his general, desperation throttling his voice.

“My King, our men are prepared to fight–” Ashmer exclaimed but was cut short by Athar.

“You mean prepared to die!”

Avalon shoved herself in front of Athar to pull Koda’s attention to her, “My King, we can no longer pretend that a soldier or king’s way will solve this dire situation.”

“What do you suggest, Avalon?” asked Wiccer, although he had a keen guess as to what the Silent One was alluding to.

“We must think like a Black Rabbit,” Avalon said, cracking a thin smile, “Hear me out. I was trained as a Rabbit before I became a Silent One. I can not help but to still think like one. Your soldiers and noblemen see a bleak situation. As a Black Rabbit I see an obvious action to be taken by you, my King.”

“You wish to assassinate Unrick?” asked Koda, already irked by the thought.

“Take him prisoner. He commands the Estinians. Cut off the head of the dragon and it can no longer breathe fire. With Unrick in our possession, he will command his army to surrender and open Stonewall’s gates.”

Everyone around Avalon nodded to the plan.

“Who do you suggest sending?” Wiccer asked.

“Myself, Elucard, Calsoon, and your sharpshooter, Timber,” she said, counting on her hand. She then pointed to Wiccer, “You and the rest of ARO protect Koda. He could still be in danger. I don’t trust this Inle.”

Wiccer nodded and turned to Koda, “My King, do you approve of this mission?”

“I do. May the gods grant you strength in your hearts and sanctuary in your souls.”