Submitted: 16 October 2000

The Price of War

by Arathelle daCovale

Clustered in the corner of the brightly lit room that gifted the hint of the wine and tales, sat the wanderers of days past. In dulcet tones, they whisper to each other, feigning smiles with nervous looks over their shoulders. And one spoke up, "Well, I donna wot t'make o dis scraggle, but I knows down here," he paused to pull a dirty and grimpy fist to his heart, "I donna take a liken to dis war. A'hv a family ta raize." Startled by own convictions and morality, he became intent on not looking intent to quiet is overzelous tone. Slowly he retreated back to his ale and simpering mood to dwell over his futures that were quickly turning to the fore-gone, hoping that not admitting the future might somehow change it.

And a raised brow studied the man and his worn but well mended attire, and smelled his scent of heavy labor and worry over his loved ones. Then as she stood, her curious eye gave way to that of concern and she approached the despairing soul. With her own small hands she lay a firm grasp upon his shoulder, seemingly well versed in comforting, and she took a stool next to the front of the room. With a voice, weather-worn, but somehow had grown tender she spoke in tones that reflected her trying youth and once hardened look. "The Shadow comes in its own time, for fear not, the Creator sheltors us from the winds."

Baresh nodded approvingly at the unkempt warrioress as he caught himself thinking of cinnamons and spice. But that was only a fleeting thought as he returned to polishing the already gleaming bar wood. And as she pulled out her lyre and began to strum the strings with a well versed and gentle hand, the Barkeep smiled at the soon-to-come adventurers seeking a gentle refuge and good ale. In the least it would be profitable with an adjoining tale or woe.

"I am Arathelle," she began, "of the Two Valleys sept, First Hand of Li Alshabi Mir rae Li Tumbra Mir." Her fingers still danced slowly and gracefully about those silken strings of the silverwillow lyre as she took time to smile softly and very fondly at the darkened metal armlet that held her arm. Even from the distance Baresh could distinguish the crystaline sphere held within the three entwining iron rings. It piqued the Barkeep that one of such seemingly hardness spoke in such somber tones, but it wasn't new, for his experienced eyes had seen it many times before. And the girl was yet, like no other before. Then her voice continued, focusing his thoughts upon her words, "I share your concerns, rumor spreads of this one that calls himself 'the watcher'," her eyes shot unseen daggers at an unseen face. "And his proclomation of war is contageous."

Her hands still danced to the words that seemed to sing to her lyre, "And yes... the land falls to corruption, and the innocent are raped and pillaged." She took but a brief moment to close her eyes in short communion for those that have fallen victim to the violent plague. "... and I too wish to turn the face of this foul beast from us... until the last, to run and spit into the Sightblinder's eye." Then Arathelle's voice took a pleading tone, "But bringing evil upon evils will leave a wake of dead in its trail, and the souls from these lost innocents will fall to Aldauth's gaze and his loves, forever to walk the starry road. And I am not willing to bring about a war, at the cost of lives, just to prove a point."

Her eyes glared over the audience and her gently lulliby grew into a cressendo and fell back into a more easing tone that called out to her audience for unsaid understanding. "There are better ways to make peace than through war... Though many welcome the Dance and harken the song of the tides of war.. this is not liken to battle.., this will be a slaughter."

"And yes, this shade watcher is correct... in one aspect in the least," she sighed at her own volition, "a stand must be taken, and the shadow wardened." Slowly she pulled her unkempt chestnut hair from her eyes behind her ear, "And more can be accomplished together than alone... For a grain of sand shall surely be swept away on the desert wind, but a mountain shall undure the weathers. With this stand together, unite as one, stand against the shadow and do not yield under its pressures, but DO NOT!" She gritted teeth and stopped the fore-bodding tones to give way to anger, "Do NOT let the innocence fall in this wake." And her heart was soft, for she did not hold concern for those courageous yet witless souls that seek war and vengence, but for those children that cry and watch their fathers and brothers leave, never to return. She felt their pain and became angry at the thought of war coming home to them. It was one thing for the battlefields but the plunder of children she would not stand way-side and permit.

The looks from the audience illistrated their intentions, and faint scuffs could be heard throughout the quiet room from those that shuffled unsettled feet. And a man stood. Well groomed wearing simpling clothing he removed his hat and and rested one lazy hand upon the ungarnished pommel that sat on his hip. His voice stood out calmly and confidently, "Lass, you'd better step down, you have not the arms or scars of battle and what would a girl.., "He mocked spitting extra emphasis upon the last, "know about standing against vile forces, let alone cut-throats, ruffians, and grave robbers." He raised his strong chin that had been cleanly shaved and motioned towards the other warriors and adventurers and commonors that sat now nervous some unsure and some waiting in the bar room. "Let us handle these affairs and return to the kitches where you belong..." He nodded in approval of his own words and looked around for support, but the room remained silent, unwilling to commit to either. And Baresh knew their minds. One asked for a unrequisited turn of peace, and knowing her she would wish to educate the world single-handedly to help prevent such inserrections that these scallions would claim or impose upon the novices that traverse the lands. The other, stood for peace, but through war, for what quicker peace than to destroy your enemy than with an Iron Hand, but at what price? And this was what caused the hesitation... at what price? And Baresh carefully considered this, walking to stand against the hidden foe that barely has a name. And if that stand does give way to war, and he is lead to the starry road who then, in turn, will stand against this menace. And when the armies bring hell upon Elanthia then take his life, who will be there to guard his loved ones. For his stand will point him out, and make him and his loves a prey of sport to those that don't wish to change their ways. And Baresh has already seen the Grand Mages fall under their swift blow... if they are vulnerable, who isn't?