We had done it. Of the one hundred and ninety-five countries only sixteen did not show up or flat out disagreed to join us. We already had their neighboring countries on our side getting their own military on the borders to keep watch for any signs of troops that would be possibly making their way over land. We were not sure whether the countries who did not respond or show up were actually on the Erl-kings side or were being coerced. Everyone was warned not to go to the meeting with the Erl-king though. That he would force them to take a blood oath that would doom their countries or he would kill them.
The 'Karen' kept trying to say how were we any different since we made them sign one to come to this meeting. I had to look away and stifle my snicker as one of the officials sitting next to her told off.
"Shut the fuck up already, nobody forced you or is forcing you to stay and sign this one. Just remember before you let your ego make a decision that the lives of every single Moldavian is in your hands and you will have to live with the decision you make. You can't change sides once you've made a commitment and you can't continue to treat everyone else as though your opinion is the only one that matters."
She started to say something and Thietian cut her off this time.
"Ma'am, my people have told you multiple times now, it was for your protection as well as ours. No one is forcing you to do anything now. If you are feeling obligated because everyone else is doing it, I suggest you wait till everyone leaves then make your decision on your own. If you are merely castigating due to your indignant demeanor as a way of prevaricating for your own Id's justifications then I will ask you one thing. Please refrain from commenting further and sign if you are going to and leave it at that. I'd appreciate it." He smiled politely at her making her head spin with how calmly and quickly he handled it.
"We'd all appreciate it." Some one else muttered off to the side making her face turn scarlet with embarrassment and anger.
However, she signed it with a scowl on her face and a flinch as the prick of the lancing device struck her finger. Everyone agreed to organizing and having their military ready to be sent anywhere they would be needed, but would exclude a certain amount depending on certain factors to remain to protect the people of that country. They also accepted in sending some officers to come and train with our people to know how to fight against the Fae warriors and stand a better chance and to teach their own troops.
Figuring out what to do with refugees possibly crossing into neighboring countries was the biggest issue to try and resolve. No one wanted camps they had to worry about protecting, sheltering and feeding. Thietian who already knew this would likely happen, had a solution to resolve most of their worries. There were warehouses full of large and small tents, blankets, necessities, food and water. To top it off, he would give the countries with large influxes of refugees, some defense forces from our troops and other aide.
I noticed nothing was spoken about our safe zones or places for refugees. I knew there had to be a good reason for him not mentioning it right now, so I kept my questions for a later time. When everyone had signed and things had drawn to a conclusion, Thietian warned them one last time, that the Erl-king would force them to sign a blood oath or kill them if they did not. To not attend was their safest route to take.
We warned them. Now with just a few more days till the Erl-kings meeting is set to take place, we'd have to see how many will actually listen.
... Cass/Thietian's POV.....
"Tell me what's it looking like down at the meeting." We say to one of our team members as we start implementing defensive maneuvers, not knowing how this will end up playing out.
"So far the sixteen we had on the list have arrived. They are reporting on the countries that have shown up at the moment and that's it."
"Good then... we can continue what we're doing..."
We get cut off mid sentence as he interrupts.
"Prince Thietian, I'm sorry but the Moldavian president and prime minister just arrived at the meeting."
That selfish bitch.... "Get their neighbors, Romania and the Ukraine to up the defenses at their borders. Tell them to expect refugees too."
We paced a few times before slamming our palm on the table in frustration. "DAMN!"
"Two more countries have shown up sir. Armenia and Togo. I'll let their neighbors know as well."
I grunt in frustration and once again, we get bad news. "Sir, Columbia and Cambodia showed up too, I'll get someone on it now sir."
Now my team is checking to see how many numbers of troops we will be losing and the possible invasion routes the Erl-king will be able to use unrestricted.
Sin and John are sending orders to their specially trained forces to be on alert. Twenty one countries.... I shake my head at the stupidity and hubris of the choices these leaders have made. All those innocent people....
The horrors that will be unleashed ...
The children....
Our thoughts wander to Elena and our unborn son. If they were to be caught by the Erl-kings forces... The things he would do to them... especially if he knew.
The anxiety of those possibilities overwhelms us and we feel like we can't breathe.
"I need some air." We say to no one in particular as we quickly head out the door and down the hall to the stairway. We're at the bottom level when we hear the door shut above us and hear footsteps coming down the stairs too.
We sigh and head side anyways, needing just a moment to clear our minds.
'Thietian, none of that stuff will happen to her. She and our son are safe at the compound.'
'I know Cass but so many others are not. I feel helpless knowing that I can't do anything more to save them.'
Our back hits the wall of the building and we slide down to sit, arms resting on our knees as we take some deep breaths to calm our heart down.
The door beside us swings open and Sin comes out looking around and then spots us.
'Thietian, Cass. You guys alright? It looked like you were having some troubling thoughts as you left. Would you like to talk or do you just need some time alone?" Sin asks concerned trying to analyze our situation.
"I just needed some air. I can't believe they didn't take us seriously about my father. I know what he's capable of and what he's going to do when he realizes that they can't sign his oath." I cover our face before standing back up.
"Let's see how bad it is now." I gesture for her to go in and she pats our back.
"Don't worry too much, even with the countries that have gone the majority of them are not going to the meeting. We should be alright." She tries to give me comfort over those thoughts and I just nod as we head back up.
Walking into the room I notice how on the screens it's almost time for the meeting to start.
"No other countries showed up, Thietian. It's time for the meeting." John said seeing us.
"Turn up the volume, please." I instruct and soon the news reporters voice can be heard clearly through out the room.
"So far only twenty one countries have shown up for this meeting and according to staff inside they are about to start this meeting. With such a small turnout, what will this mean to the King of the Fae race and does this mean that most of the world is taking the side of some group we don't even know the identity of?" The reporter ends her clip as the cameras focus on the doors of the building. Now they are narrating about the information that we had released and our defamation of the Erl-king and how these peace talks are meant to reassure everyone.
"With this show of little to no confidence in the Erl-kings word, how will he take this news?" The reporter stops speaking as a she hears something over her mic and the doors open.
"We are about to hear from the Erl-king personally now."
The cameras do a close up on the king and he does not look happy, his twisted features and appearance make him all the more intimidating as he looks directly at the cameras and is given a mic.
"To the race of humans and your leaders... I know who gave you this information and let me tell you. He is no friend to any of you. He has just signed your death certificates" His gruff, deep, resonating voice is the thing of nightmares. Memories cross my mind making me shiver and shake slightly.
His next lines he begins to raise his voice and show his anger.
"For those who do not swear allegiance to me, your rightful master, will die a death much worse than you could ever imagine! Those who swear allegiance to me will be spared this fate, but for those who don't or can't...." He waves a hand gesturing someone to come forward.
The prime minister and president of Moldova are dragged out screaming and crying for help as they are pulled to the front of the building and forced onto their knees.
"These two CAN NOT swear allegiance to me, even though they tried... Have to say if they didn't tell you this would happen, that's unfortunate. If they did tell you.... you're both dumber than you look." He laughed in their faces before continuing.
"I know that you thought you could warn them to fight back and save these low lives that you love so much! That you turned your own brothers and sisters against me! Bavarthos! I will take you down and destroy you! Just like these two!"
He dropped the mic right next to the two as he gripped ones hair and shoved his hand down her throat ripping her tongue out as he showed it to the cameras. Panic was ensuing and soon the cameras were cut off but not before the the president was seen having her head ripped off with the Erl-kings bare hands.
Silence replaced the static of the cut video feed before returning to the news station feed where the anchors were silent in horror at what they just witnessed. Suddenly one realizes they are still on air and quickly tries to compose himself.
"We... We... Fuck this I'm going to protect my family!" He gets up throwing the papers he had up in the air behind him.
The woman still in shock starts to cry and says quickly. "We will update you on any new information via our website or app until further notice. Please try and stay calm and safe in the unsure times. May the lord watch over us." She is trembling as she speaks and once she's done the screen is replaced with a screen saying there is a network error.
It's silent in the room around us for a second before the phones are ringing everyone back to life.