"Your highness, I believe you sign the document. We have nothing to lose. These Razielonians are utter filth. What chance do they have against the full might of the Talrassan military?" (Finance Minister Giddeon)

Crown Prince Val'strath gave the man a look of utter contempt. Why is this fool allowed in every war council? The arrogance of elven nobility disgust me. Lowly curs have never worked a day in their lives.

This was the Crowned Prince's first council meeting. He had served in the Talrassan military for upwards of 124 years*. After he recently left the military, he was welcomed by his father into the council as the minister of war. However since the king was currently dealing with the Nizolm immigration crisis to the south, Val'strath was left in charge. During his time with the military he had achieved the rank of Legate. He was a person who valued the life of every elven citizen. This was not his view point prior to joining the military. Most elven nobility that joins the military is immediately given the rank of centurion. However the king showed no favoritism. He started off with all commoners, as a Munifex. He achieved the rank of Legate through merit. All who served under him were extremely loyal. The commoners loved him because they saw him as one able to comprehend their plight. This in turn made most nobles hate him. However, seeing as he was king Tal'strath's favorite son the nobility could do nothing about it.

"What you believe I should do is of little importance, Giddeon. Why should elven lives be pointlessly risked over an empty plain with little or no resources besides history, and that would be tarnished should a battle happen on top of it." (Val'strath)

The finance minister gave him a deep chuckle. The minister of spellcraft, Kaborean, took this opportunity to interject.

"But your highness, surely you do not wish to show weakness in the face of lesser races. What are the lives of a few commoners to the pride of Talrassa." (Kaborean)

"Hear, hear!" (All present, save Val'strath)

The prince stood up from his seat. Walking over to Kaborean, he leaned in slowly. When he spoke it was so that all could hear.

"What would you know about the value of a life? You have never faught with them, bled with them, ate with them, starved with them. You are pampered swine, and if you give me a reason I will send you to the slaughter and put a more qualified citizen in your place." (Val'strath)

The Minister of Spellcraft made an audible gulp.

"That goes for all of you. Your citizens lives are only as expendable as your own. Remember that. Or I will make an example to remind you. Pride will not save you. It will not bolster your coffers. It will get you a sword to the gut, or poison in your veins." (Val'strath)

The doors to the council room were flung open. A single elf walked in followed by two more and a human wearing strange clothing.

"Brother what is the meaning of this?" (Val'strath)

Third Prince Tal'gore raised an eyebrow. Then pointed to the single elf who entered first.

"O us we're not with him. We were waiting by the door. I have some business to attend to in the capitol and wanted to drop by and have a talk with you before that. I was simply waiting for a moment when you were free. So I went to the lobby and chatted up some civilians to see why a high council meeting was called. Then this fellow simply waltz in like he owned the place. Figured I'd follow him, seems that wasn't the best idea." (Tal'gore)

"No, shit Sherlock. If a stranger offered you candy as a child would you follow him to his....... uhhhh bird?" (Strange Human)

"They're called terror beaks, and why would someone store candy on a terror beak?" (Tal'gore)

"Okay, would you follow a stranger if he offered you candy?" (Strange Human)

"What kind of candy?" (Tal'gore)

"Man this goes right over your head doesn't it?" (Strange Human)

All present save the Third Prince's party stared open mouthed at the human.

"You filth, how dare you talk to the prince in such a casual and rude manner. You will speak to him only with the utmost respect." (Kaborean)

The Minister of spellcraft had gotten some of his courage back after seeing such a display.

The human turned to look at the minister. A grin spread across his face.

"Oh no." (Tal'gore)

The prince's whisper was unheard by all save himself.

"How old are you?" (Strange Human)

The minister was taken aback by the random and blunt question.

"Who are you to question a minist..." (Kaborean)

"Answer the question." (Strange Human)

Again all present (save the princes party) were aghast at how a human would dare order a minister.

"I am the minister of spellcraft I will not be ordered around by a hu..."

"You are a minister and yet compared to me you know nothing save in the area of magic. Which I am confident I will soon trump you in as well. Do not be so presumptuous as to place yourself on a pedestal equal in height to my own. Your intelligence is a mere pinprick whereas mine is an ocean. Tell me do you know what stars are made of? Do you know how to rip one apart and harness its resources to fuel productivity on levels unheard of?" (Strange Human)

The human noticed the confusion and rage on the Minister's face. He let out a sigh.

"Well seeing as you won't comprehend this in any reasonable amount of time I'll get to the point. The original question was asked to set up the premise, that though you are older than me your years are wasted. You will never know an iota of what I do. Trying to place yourself above me on something as arbitrary as race, is pointless. Regardless of your race, pedigree, or position of power you will never be comparable to me. For you see I have a limitless amount of the second most valuable resource. Knowledge." (Strange Human)

The air of pompousness leaked by this human was unheard of even for elves. Kaborean was red as a tomato.

"Guards seize this human and bring him to the dungeons." (Kaborean)

The human gave the minister a level stare before smiling wider than before.

"Glad we agree." (Strange Human)

"Agree on what?" (Kaborean)

The minister said with a snap of anger.

"Well that I'm above you. Obviously."

"How so, are you not about to be escorted away by the guards?" (Kaborean)

The human clicked his tongue and shook his head.

"Are you blind. Or just slow. That's precisely the reason why I'm above you. Rather than refute my point. Or argue the illegitimacy of my words you simply send the guards on me. Showing that you are a rather simple minded person who would rather throw man power at a problem until it goes away." (Strange Human)

All looked towards the minister of spellcraft for a response.

Cough, Cough

"Darren I hate to interrupt you, but we are being quite rude." (Tal'gore)

Darren raised an eyebrow before a look of realization came upon him. He turned to the elf who barged in originally.

"I believe I owe you an apology. You seem like you have something important to say." (Darren)

The elf jumped in surprise after suddenly being addressed. Everyone else was taken aback at the sudden change in the demeanor of the human, who genuinely seemed sorry for having delayed the man.

The elf nodded at the human and then addressed the entire assembly.

"Razielon has made a declaration of war." (Messenger)

*(Elves live upwards to 1500, but elven royalty is blessed by Utvossan the deity supposedly responsible for their creation, and thus can live for thousands of years. FYI the oldest elf to ever live was only 3000. After reaching a certain age, entities such as primals and lower deities view said elves as threats and take measures to end them before they peak.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you have any questions, notice any discrepancies in story, or errors in grammar please point them out to me. I can't fix a problem if i don't know it's there.