A dragon devouring faeries (TOME 15 of the TIAMAT'S WARS SERIE)

Estafette

Officer Elf: "Humans...you have returned from the stars... But your world is gone and you with it. You corrupted and destroyed it... But Tyrant, in his infinite goodness, gave you the grace to survive.

You now occupy the lands of King Phileas, the king of these lands that belong to us.

We come in peace today but I see that you trade with the ungodly dwarves and abominations that are the Kobolds.

These lands are cursed and you will meet your doom by staying here.

The elven people are willing to take you in and we promise you freedom and safety.

Stay here and suffer the fury of the hydra...

The chancellor came closer to the elf...

"We don't understand... we were saved by the robots... we owe them our lives..."

The elf sneered. "Your Village... it's a great larder... Open your eyes before it's too late. You are surrounded by monsters... And your fairy..."

Bello grabs Sarah's arm to get her to step back, and not to come within sword range of the rider.

Sarah:" Waspy???"

"Much elf blood has been spilled.... the longer you wait, the more likely you are to die.. but also you sadden us. Your weapons are toys and when you realize it's too late... you will be devoured... Do not delude yourselves... This village is a human farm. When the dragons come, it will be too late. It is a life of cattle that awaits you."

He climbed back into his saddle and greeted the humans, then rode south again. He dropped a map with the red crosses and the path to the elven and gnome cities.

The elves had been more subtle and had succeeded in their mission: to sow seeds of doubt.

Bello then began walking outside the village with Sarah... the map in hand.

"Sarah, I know it's still tense between us but I'm not responsible for Henry's death.."

"I know, John, I know...but it's hard..."

He sighed, "My sixth sense, my sense of danger is at its peak...I don't know anymore but I'm sure we're under constant surveillance. They have cameras but different, This Hans has a different technology, unknown. Everything he has done defies belief."

Sarah "I know, you're right, I too feel like I'm being watched, monitored, yet with everything that's happened, we can believe, we can dream. Besides, we don't know anything about elves, gnomes or fairies... And they know Waspy. They talk about monsters..."

Bello (His name is John Bello): "They are different creatures from us, very different and we have to give them a chance too... "

Sarah: "We should go visit the elf cities..."

"No... he dropped that map on purpose. He's a hardened military man, an elite soldier among elites, and he shows great wisdom. I think he wants us to go see the villages."

"What if it's a trap?? to kidnap us...?"

"It's a risk we have to take... "

Sarah: "But how will the Kobolds and Hans react? Kate seemed so nice. By the way, we have to have dinner with her tonight in the presence of the Dwarf King... Cranedur, I think."

Bello laughed..." At least his name isn't Coumou..."

Sarah smiled and heard a waspish roar...

Waspy landed beside them, out of breath but smiling.

"Are you all right? I heard from your men that elves had arrived at the gates of the Village and I have come to defend you..."

She did so while curling her lips. This did not fail to surprise Sarah.