A medium sized tent had been quickly assemble by the 11th men. 2 Tables were placed at the center, they were surrounded by various pieces of wood, used as makeshift chairs. The tent has is sides uncovered, anyone could look inside of it. 8 vrandtean soldiers were place as guards, everyone else remained on their formation.
There were 9 people inside the tent. Liutenant Aidan, Sergeant Selis, and sergeant Will a middle aged with a thick grey beard and bald head , he was the banner carrier from the first meeting. From the Anrur, Chief Munir, Beraka, Vinzel, Kirin, 2 Anrur woman. Ela, who was as old as the chief, she was of average height and had long grey hair The other one Maruka, a young Anrur , she had a grave face, and short blond hair.
Both partys had introduced themselves and Aidan made a gestureso that everyone would sit. On the table were 2 maps. One covered the wester front of the Kingdom of Vrandt as well the entire Karakorum forest and part of the North plains. The other one covered the whole Kingdom of Vrandt and divided it in 13 parts. There was a big book, with a gray leather cover. Everyone sat around the table. The Anrur sat on one side of the table with the Chief and Vinzel in the middle, on the other side were the vrandteans, with Aidan on the center.
-Before we, begin let me tell you something- Aidan tone was quiet friendly, even tough every Anrur had somber expressions -There are two ways for you to surrender.
-Ha!, We bend over so you can f*cked us gently or we make you struggle so you can f*ck us violently- Vinzel snorted, almost spitting his words- We are surrendering, cut the crap kid, you fought well, there is no need for this bullshit.
-For the love of Anlern, shut up Vinzel- Ela lashed at her clansman.
-There is no need for us to waste time, let us just hear, what shitty conditions we will have to pay to the vrandteans, so that we can know what this thing is gonna cost us- He had lowered his tone, but glared at Ela, and looked at his Chief disapprovingly.
-Vinzel is right, what are your conditions Liutenant- The Chief had an expression of deafeat. Aidan looked at him and sighed.
-Your decisions and our actions had led you here to this moment, for more than two hundred years your clan had never once, surrendered, yet here we are- Aidan voice was cold, the changed surprised the anrur as well as the vrandteans, but what he said made every anrur uncomfortable -I have an opportunity for your clan, that I don't think will present again- His voice once more was more friendly -Would you hear me out?- He looked at the anrur expectantly.
-Our conqueror is asking us, to hear them out - Vinzel laughed - I think there is always a first time, even for someone as old as me.
The Chief looked at Vinzel with sadness. Beraka and Kirin grunted at him. Ela sighed. Selis was frowning and sergeant Will looked worried.
-I think, I speak for my companions Liutenat when I tell you, not pay attention to this old fart -Maruka was very relaxed and seemed curious at the Liutenant- We want to hear you out.
-Very well, but I do not want people interrupting me for no reason- Aidan glared at Vinzel, who just snorted -However please feel free to ask if you have questions- Aidan looked at the anrur again. Vinzel crossed his arms on his chest. Kirin was stoic as ever. Ela smiled at Aidan's attitude to treat Vinzel as a child. Beraka seemed to be about to use all of his concentration. The Chief and Maruka nodded.
-There are 2 ways for you to approach the surrender. The first one, happens after a military occupation from our Kingdom, wich leads to a series of conditions and agreements, and the necessity of mantaining a considerate military force to ensure the terms agreed upon. This would be our case, however there is another way -Everyone of the anrur even old Vinzel were curious at Aidan's words.
-You could choose to surrender, in order to form part of the Kingdom of Vrandt -Aidan smiled at them. Most of the anrur were suprised at those words.
-But we lost, you have every right to demand a price from us - Beraka was startled and dumbfound
-What diferrence is in this way?- Maruka interruted Beraka, she seemed to welcome the chance.
-What do you gain in this?- The Chief had a cold expression on his face, he had already moved passed his defeated state from moments before, and once again appeared as before the duel. Ela and Vinzel, nodded at him .
-What WE can gain in this, that is really the important question Chief- Aidan smile relaxed, every anrur was now really paying attention -First let me tell you about the difference. If you choose to surrender to the Kingdom in looking to form part in it, you would be willing to accept the ways of the Kingdom and its laws, but there is a small review of our laws with you, in wich you can accomodate certain laws to match yours, instead of imposing them on you -Aidan waited to watch the anrur reactions. The Chief, Vinzel and Ela, were probably thinking on the differences in their laws. Beraka was trying to understand why would the vrandteans offer this, Kirin seemed to be thinking the same as well. Maruka was looking at Aidan with curiosity.
-You would for part of the Kingdom, you could trade within the whole of Vrandt, move freely inside the country, and be protected by our army. Of course you will have to pay taxes an abide our laws, but as I said, these will be reviewed to with you to help ease the transition inside the country- Aidan made a pause on purpose, to see if someone wanted to say something.
-How can we become part of your Kingdom, we are Rur, o haven't you noticed - Maruka said as she pointed at her ponty and hairy ears, as well as her fangs.
-The Kingdom of Vrandt has not been a human only Kingdom since the last 185, years -Sergeant Will had a very gentle voice, wich make a big contrast with his solemn face -Here madam -He pointed at one of the divisions inside on the Kingdom map -This is Komorebi County, it was the home of the Tan'ya Oni, they were the first non humans form part of the country, that event became the foundation of the Kingdom of Vrandt of today, and they were not the last.
-The last non humans to join, come from the Meridan Border, in the Lavian County -Aidan interrupted the sergeant, and he moved his black hair covering part of his ear, to show it to the anrur. It had a cut on the end and had an edge -I am an Melf, from the Meridan Border, most elves call us half - elves, we joined the Kingdom of Vrandt 15 years ago- All the anrur were astonished, they knew the vrandteans had Oni, that was the reason there steel was fearsome, there were rumours about hobgoblins and lizardmen, but to think some half - elves actually joined, and one of them was infront of them.
-The Kingdom of Vrandt is not like the Erdan Domain or the Zerimer Duchy, wich are human only countrys, and look down upon other races. The Kingdom of Vrandt strength comes from our unrelenting resolve, forged by our common goals as a Kingdom. That is why the Kingdom of Vrandt has become one of the main powers on the Laendan Continent -That was truth, they had began competing even against the Lorelai Elves on the East, the anrur had witness how had they changed each time they had fought against them.
-Everything you have said sounds really nice, but as the Chief said, what do you gain in this? -Ela asked, she seemed intrigued of what Aidan had said, but she was still hesitant, and as she said this, the anrur again changed there expressions and turned towards Aidan.
-Again what WE could gain is..... everything- Aidan laughed as he pointed at the map wich covered the Karakorum Forest -We both could have something that has not been posible, to control the Karakorum Forest -All the anrur looked at him with complicated expressions.
-For more than 1000 years nobody has ever claimed the control on the Karakorum Forest -The Chief replied to Aidan -The Mitier Elve had tryed, the Orcs as well, and your Kingdom in several occasions, even some of the Rur clans have try it, but no one has ever succeeded -The Chief had changed from curiosity towards sadness -If this was your convincing argument for us to join, then you must be joking.
-No one has even managed to control the Rur Clans before- This time it was Beraka, this was something he did understand, much to well -There has always been rivalry between us, and old grudges. I am sorry Liutenant but that is not something we want.
-Is that the only thing, you know what to say? -Selis was angry at the anrur -It can't be done?. You tought no one could corner you on your territory, yet here we are.
-Listen, This a rare chance, but it can only be done if you choose to form part of the Kingdom of Vrandt - Aidan cut Selis, before she made this conversation into a mess -We Vrandteans have already gotten a vantage point inside the forest with your Lonely Cloud Hill, wich is enough to relieve the pressure on our border, but it is not enough to secure our hold, withouth fighting for it. The other clans will try to push us out. In order to prevent this, we need to make our presence inside the forest, stronger, but for that to happen, we need you. There is no way we can push towards the other clans if you do not join us.
-You will need to leave enough forces on Lonely Cloud Hill to keep a check on us, right? -The Chief added. The other anrur turned towards Aidan, waiting for his response.
-That is correct, we can not advance unless we are certain our supply line won't be cut, and we have a secure place to fall back -Aidan said honestly -But if you join us, we could control the northen part of the forest without having to break trough by force.
-I sounds like you already have a plan to achieve what you said?, not just the idea of it -Maruka turned to Aidan expectantly. Aidan nodded.
-To achieve control of the Karakorum forest, first we needed to have a strong hold inside it. We needed to take on one of the big clans inside the forest -Again he pointed at the map -We had two choices on wich clan should we attack first. The Galderur south of here, or you. -Aidan confirmed every anrur was again more at ease and listening to him -Even tough you were a bit farther from the border with us, you are also farther from the Mitier Elves -The Chief and Vinzel eyes instantly locked on each others, it seemed they had already discussed why they were attacked first -There is a small clan between you and us, the Enrur -The anrur nodded at this -They already have relative relations with us, as you know they trade a lot with us, and I am sure, a lot of the goods they have, are likewise trade with you. There was no point in pressuring them, but once you are with us, they will have to join as well.
-Or they will be caught in a pincer by us -The Chief said with approval to Aidans words
-Exactly, see you do understan- Selis snorted, Aidan glared at her, and she once more just sat u straight.
-The Enrur will fall in line, then we need to force the northen small clans as well, the Rurkaina and Rurnedan -Aidan continued, every anrur seemed to be slowly making conclussions.
-That would force the Fenrur in a corner -Beraka seemed to reach a conclussion first - Maybe, we could even pushed towards the center of Karakorum
-No Beraka, supposing we managed to get the Fenrur, by that time the remaining clans will surely made an Alliance and we could push no longer-The Chief was the one who replied
-Once we get the Fenrur, we would not push towards the center of the forest, but to the south -Aidan smiled at the Chief -There is no way we can get the other 2 big clans, you see, the Mitier Elves and us made a treaty of no agression on our borders, they pushed for this treaty so that they would not worry about us, and they could push inside the forest.
-So you are saying they will, certantly invade the other 2 big clans -Maruka asked
-The Mitier, don't like to fight if they have someone to do it for them, they will certantly offer an alliance with one of the 2 big clans, and then make them invade the other one. This is something probably is about to happen or already happening on the south borders of the forest -Aidan explained
-Then there is no way we can get hold of more clans, if the Mitier support the other 2 big clans, and that's it -Vinzel sneered -If we engaged them in combat, we would break the agreement, and that means an all out war, outside your countrys, wich would be amazing for you, but would leave us on ruins. Do not think, that even tough we fell for your proposition of duel, we are dumb, and will not see between your intentions covered with sugar -Vinzel seemed mad. Aidan sighed again.
-First, let me be clear Vinzel -Aidan was looking straight at the old Rur, who was trying to hold Aidan's gaze on him -I expect many great things of the anrur, you are a fundamental part on my plan. Second, I don't think you are dumb, but your pride always gets in the way of everything, that is the main reason you are here now -Aidan words were cold again, Vinzel could not hold to keep with Aidan's pressure -You are lost once you think you are being unerstimated. No we will not force to break the agreement of no agression, that is our safest guarantee -Vinzel and the other anrur had stranged looks on their faces at this remark.
-By that moment, you would had seen the benefit of being part of the Kingdom of Vrandt, what is more, you would have enough territory to be considered a County on your own, giving you much more liberty, than being part of an established County, of course being Lonly Cloud, the County main District -All the anrur were amazed again -You would become the Lonely Cloud County at that time.