SCARLET’S POV
I arrived at the meeting with Chamlee a few minutes after they were all seated and as soon as I entered, they all stood and bowed. I made for my throne and straight into business.
“Chamlee, you can begin” I ordered.
“Where are the rogues?” Chamlee asked, his eyes flickering around the room.
My eyes equally moved around the room and that was when I noticed two strange faces among us, seated at the extreme. It was not difficult to locate them. As a result of the height difference, they stood out, and their heads were far above those of the elders.
With my gaze on them, they stood up and bowed.
“These are the rogues” Atoor got up and announced before taking back her seat.
I tried to access them and see what I could get from their demeanor. I wanted to find out if they are here for a fight or to spy on us.
They stood still, their faces expressionless making it quite difficult to read them. Even their inner minds were completely cut off from me.
It is so typical of rogues to operate discreetly making it impossible for others to decipher their motives.
I shifted comfortably on my chair. I don’t want to appear weak before them. I growled. But even though it was a soft and harmless growl, it sent an aura of authority around the room.
“What brings you to Pixolands?” Chamlee asked, his eyes taking in their every move.
They step out and stood in the middle where I can see them properly. “We are messenger sent here by our Pack Leaders. We came to deliver a message to the Chamlar” One of them, the taller one answered.
“You came to spy on our land” Chamlee blurted.
“No, we have not. We came for a different purpose entirely” the first rogue said in what looked like a shaky voice.
I tried to penetrate his mind again to know if he was saying the truth, but could not. I let it slide, I will get the truth from them one way or the other.
“Liar… I will cut off your heads and send it back to your leaders if I should find out that you are lying to me” Chamlee yelled.
They both fell on their knees. “No, we came bearing peace. Who are we to ever think of going against the queen of alphas” they begged.
At this point, I stood up and they bowed with their head touching the floor.
“Lift your heads” I ordered and they both did but still kept their gazes away.
“What are you here for?” I demanded.
“My Chamlar, who are we to speak before you?” the other rogue answered in plight.
I sniffed, they are good at what they do. “I order you to speak”
“My Chamlar, we came for peace, peace with Pixolands” the second rogue replied and cast his eyes away.
I tried again to read their minds but could not. I decided that it was time to use extra power on them.
I inhaled, and opening my eyes, I clenched my fist tightly and took a deep breath as I forcefully took over their minds.
The both of them started to groan and move their bodies uneasily. They were fighting my effect on them. The pains that they were experiencing were excruciating but they would rather the pain than reveal the truth.
“Lock them up” I screamed in deep irritation.
“No, please don’t lock us up” the first rogue screamed before the guards could get to them.
I smirked. The rogue would take anything but a cage. “Are you ready to tell me the truth?” I asked as I held my hands out to stop the guards from going any further.
“Yes, Chamlar” they both chorused and gave a slight bow.
“So, to what do we owe your unpleasant visit?” I asked.
As they opened their mouth to speak, I dived into their soul, and this time, there was no impediment.
“We came for peace, to beg for an alliance with Pixolands” the second rogue revealed.
I paused and gave Chamlee a look, they were saying the truth. I took my seat, leaving Chamlee to continue.
Chamlee giggled and went on. “For peace you say, but we are not at war with the rogues”
“We want an alliance” the second rogue replied.
“And why are your people at our borders?” Chamlee asked in a menacing tone.
They both back a little in fear, each waiting for the other to speak.
“Oh, you have both gone suddenly deaf” Chamlee yelled.
“My Chamlee, we all came to pay our homage. The rest sent us here to get your permission to enter” the first rogue replied.
Chamlee looked at me and I nodded. “We don’t need your alliance or your allegiance” Chamlee announced.
They both looked up in utmost dismay. “My Chamlee” they exclaimed.
“Pixoland can take care of all its activities” Chamlee added.
They were bewildered and could not make out another word. But it was apparent that they were not ready to take no for an answer.
“But the rogues are not known for submitting to authority,” I said.
My words pulled them out of their trance. They struggled to murmur some inchoate words and bowed their head in dejection.
“So why would you want to be under my rule?” I asked.
“Chamlar” the first rogue spoke up. “There is a war looming, a great war and we don’t know who would see the end of it. We are strong but small. No Pack would agree to give us the protection we desire without first making us their slaves when all we want is to be free. We fear the war would usher in a new phase of power”
“A war” I murmured almost leaving my throne. I shook my head and tried to comport myself.
“What war?” Chamlee asked, his eyes fixed on the rogues.
How come I have not heard of the war they are speaking of, and what new phase of power are they referring to? I remained calm and waited to hear all they had to say before making my decision.
The first rogue looked nervously around the room for a while before replying. “Dark Age is gathering armies, they have gathered the support of all the Packs in the South and many in the west. They are all solidly behind them” he stopped.
“And how does that affect us?” Chamlee asked with his eyeballs looking as if they were about to shoot out from their sockets.
The second rogue took over. “Dark Age Pack is building up an army against the three brother Packs. It has successfully laid siege in almost all their borders”
I stood up aggressively. The three brother Packs are or were my Packs. Diamond Cut, Crystal Realms, and Black Age. A part of me wanted to head to war immediately against Dark Age. But then, I owe no allegiance to anyone, my allegiance is to my Land and my people, Pixolands.
He went on after observing my mood for a while. “Dark Age…” he hesitated and seeing that I was not about to stop him, he continued. “Have already started ambush on the armies. We don’t know how long before they fully launch the attack”
“What side are you on?” I asked.
My question came as a surprise to him and he stammered. “Huh… Chamlar”
“There is going to be a war, so which side would you take?” I repeated.
“We don’t want to take sides, Chamlar. We want to pledge our allegiance to you, to Pixolands” he stuttered.
“And why should I be bothered with the war?” I asked, my gaze fixed on him.
“Whoever wins will be stronger. They will come with force, crushing down on us. They will be a great force and no one would dare to stand against them. Pixolands had never submitted to the will of others and we know that under your reign Pixolands will remain strong. Please make us your protectorate” he urged.
“And what is in it for us?” I asked emphatically.
“My Chamlar” he wanted to be sure he had heard me correctly.
“What does Pixolands benefits from accepting your offer?” I asked more clearly.
“We would be there with you, my Chamlar, we will fight by your side no matter the situation. We will be your loyalist” he replied.
I stood, and taking a step forward, I said. “The Pixolands will not accept your extended hand of friendship”
I looked at Chamlee and he stood up. After giving the council of elders a quick bow, I walked out through the inner door followed by Chamlee and our Guards.