A Big Joke

Esvor watched the girl from a distance, tears streaming down her cheeks as she sat alone by the small rock. Her body trembled with each sob, and even the soldiers seemed unsettled by her distress. One of them offered her a tissue, while another, blessed by Dierman, healed her scars and placed a cup of water within her reach.

Sitting near the fire, Esvor leaned his sword against his shoulder, lost in thought. Roderick joined him, gnawing on a chicken leg with gusto.

"Shame," Roderick said between bites, wiping grease from his mouth. "She really did a number on the girl, huh?"

"Yeah," Esvor agreed, his eyes on the girl. "I understand their anger, but she's just a kid. I wouldn't label her as a high elf yet. She has no idea what high elves do, yet."

"And when she grows up? Do you think she will be our enemy?" Roderick asked.

"Of course. You plant a tree, the tree grows up to be a tree. It won't turn into a house suddenly."

"I guess," Roderick replied, shaking his head in anger. "Damned elves…"

"How are the prisoners? That old woman – who lost her grandkid, is she okay?"

"Yes," Roderick replied, wiping his greasy hands on his trousers. "She wants to talk to you. Apparently, she didn't know you were the True-King."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Would you like me to take you to her, King?"

"Sure. Let's talk to this woman."

"Okay…" Roderick took a last big bite from the chicken, tossing the bone into the fire. "Follow me, she's in one of the tents."

Esvor followed Roderick into a tent, where a lone candle provided modest illumination. The woman, her tear-streaked face now dry, rose from her seat and bowed as Esvor entered. Gesturing for her to take her seat, the Rebel-King settled into the chair Roderick had brought, positioning himself within arm's reach of the old woman.

He sighed, nodding and keeping a steady melody with his foot. He had too much to say, but too little time.

"I understand your hatred, sister," Esvor began. "We have to rid the world of high elves."

"Then why –"

"But she's a child. We aren't monsters like they are. We don't hurt children. We don't torture or rape. We have what they don't: humanity."

"What happens when that whore gets older? Aren't you the Rebel-King? The True-King? I heard stories about you! Striking fear into all of the high elves' hearts. But – you're a big joke."

"Oi, watch your tone, woman," Roderick interjected, his voice gruff with warning. "I'll take your neck right here if you don't."

"A big joke?" Esvor asked calmly, though his eyes flashed with restrained anger. "You know what a big joke is? Attacking a child who was willing to help you escape."

"She is manipulating you!"

"No. She just doesn't know high elves' true face. And when she learns that – she will join them. Then – only then will she become our enemy, sister. Not now. She is not our enemy. She is just a child."

"I…" The woman's voice trembled as tears welled up again. "They took my baby grandkid from me… they took him! We should do the same!"

"Then join the army, sister," Esvor said, his tone softened with empathy. "Take revenge on those who hurt you. Don't try to attack that kid and satisfy your hunger for revenge. That'd be a waste."

The woman covered her face, her breath hitching with suppressed sobs. Her hair fell like a curtain, veiling her eyes as tears trickled down her cheeks. In the silence that followed, she muttered inaudible words, lost in the tumult of her emotions. Esvor respected her grief, he didn't try to move the conversation forward.

"Okay… what do I have to lose?" she finally asked, her voice choked with emotion. "I will join. I am Ur-blessed."

"Great. Roderick will help you fit in," Esvor replied gently, rising from his seat. "But before that, go and apologize to her. Say you acted in anger. Tell the truth."

With a shaky nod, the woman wiped her tears. "I won't apologize. But I'll tell her why I attacked her like that. Maybe she'll understand."

"That's good enough for me."

Exiting the camp, Esvor followed the old woman closely. She talked to Roderick for a bit, then continued deeper into the camp. Eventually, she met eyes with the elf girl. At first, neither of them moved or said anything. Then, the old woman walked up to her quietly and said something. The girl looked like she was about to cry after what she had heard. But then, the woman held out her hand for a handshake. The elf hesitated for a moment but then shook her hand.

Roderick leaned against a nearby tree, his arms crossed. "Well, at least we won't have any problems from now on."

"I hope so." Esvor replied.

"But for real, King. What do you think of that elf girl?"

"Nothing. I'll drop her off at KCO and move on," he answered. "I can't ask her to join us and make her purge her own kind."

"She believes humans and elves could live together, huh?"

"Yeah. Just like me when I was younger."

"Fucking Sultan Khar." Roderick spat on the ground. "If he didn't attack here in the first place, the elves wouldn't be this dominant in Gum'n!"

"I know. This country is full of fuck-ups. Especially its king… my brother."

"Ugh, so hot." Roderick took off his armor. "Damn weather."

"Missing Snow Fallen already?"

"You have no idea, King. Let's just take over this city and go back there. I miss my kids!"

"Gotta handle this blood magic situation first. I have to know which side he's on."

"Maybe he's neutral?" Roderick suggested. "Maybe he doesn't care if the world went up in flames?"

"I'm not so sure. If he was a guy like that, he wouldn't have offed The Topple. He protected Redhaven's people. That means… he actually gives a shit about people."

Esvor looked at the sky, not knowing how wrong he was.