SCARLET’S POV
I made sure to cover my face with a black sequence veil before coming for the meeting with the delegates from Diamond Cut Pack, my Pack.
I am yet to find out their reasons for coming to Pixolands, and I hope it is a good one.
I sat on my throne with Chamlee by my side and I allowed him to do most of the talking.
“We are men from Diamond Cut, and our great alpha, alpha Fred has sent us with a message to you, queen of Pixolands” One of the three men who I presume should be their leader spoke.
It is the audacity and the boldness with which they speak that I find offensive. But I will not blame them, of course, they are from Diamond Cut and so little should be expected of their humility.
I watched them keenly and observed their demeanor. Even though they come from my Pack, I still have to scrutinize their every word.
“You are welcome to Pixolands” Chamlee said. “And to what do we owe this rare visit?” he asked.
“Our alpha has sent us here with a message” the leader replied.
“Go ahead with the message” Chamlee ordered.
At this point, I sent words to Atoor to come over. When she did, I whispered some words into her ears before she went back to her seat.
“Alpha Fred requests the alliance of the people of Pixolands,” he said.
The whole place went into silence. His words were a shock to everyone. To hear that a Pack as great as Diamond Cut wanted an alliance with us is not something to be easily imagined.
But alpha Fred was not asking for an alliance, he was requesting for it. Who does he think he is, what does he take himself for?
Yes, the rogues have informed me of the threatened war by Dark Age Pack against the three brother Packs., and is that why alpha Fred needs our help? But he did not make it sound like he needed help, he sounded like we were at his mercy.
Chamlee grinned menacingly before turning to me. I blinked and he could read the sign on my face.
“Is your alpha requesting help?” Chamlee asked in a rather unfamiliar tone. Even he too was still trying to come to terms with what he just heard.
“Our alpha is not asking for help, he demands the allegiance of the people of Pixolands” the second delegate replied with some air of confidence.
“Oh… I see” Chamlee shook his head. “But Dark Age is coming in against Diamond Cut. Is that the reason why he requests our support?”
“We are not at the mercy of Dark Age, they are no match for us” the leader replied. It was obvious that he was trying to calm his nerve and not explode in fury.
“Okay, so what is in this for Pixoland?” Chamlee went straight to the point and did not bother beating around the bush.
“Diamond Cut Pack pledge to rise up and defend Pixoland at any point in time” the leader responded.
I, Chamlee, and the elders looked at ourselves and arrived at a decision.
“We don’t need any protection,” Atoor said.
“You should not just say no to alpha Fred” the leader replied calmly.
“Pixolands is okay. We can protect ourselves” Atoor persisted.
“If you refuse, you make yourself an enemy of Diamond Cut,” the leader said and tried not to make it seem like a threat. He was still on our soil and he knows it.
Atoor wanted to speak again, but I raised my hand to halt her.
“What can Diamond Cut offer Pixolands in all of this?” I asked.
They all froze as soon as they heard me speak. I have not spoken the entire time.
“My Chamlar…” the leader said with a bow. “My Chamlar this is for the good of both kingdoms” he stuttered.
“I am not equal to anyone, and I don’t want to be. Diamond Cut Pack came to me and not I to them. And so they must give me something tangible, something that would make me consider their offer” I said.
“Diamond Cut has agreed to protect Pixolands at all times” he replied and quickly added. “My Chamlar”
I grinned. “Okay. But is there any place for Pixolands to fight alongside Diamond Cut in this agreement?” I asked.
“Of course, my Chamlar. Pixolands should be ready to provide its armies to defend and fight alongside Diamond Cut. It is a crucial part of this alliance” he stuttered.
“We are not ready to fight alongside anyone. Pixolands does not fight for anyone” Chamlee yelled with a growl.
“You can’t… what do we tell our alpha?” the leader asked.
“Who sent you?” I inquired.
“It was beta Tim, but under the instruction of alpha Fred,” he replied.
At the mention of my father’s name, a rage filled my soul. He had not changed one bit. What man asked for help in such an arrogant manner? Only if he believes he will crush Pixolands in one breath.
But I am not going to be deterred. Pixolands has paid the ultimate price, and we would not be subject to anyone. Our land cannot be under the control of anyone and I must see to that.
“Take them out for a second,” I said to the guards.
As soon as they were gone, I had a brief meeting with the elders and after that, I requested for them to return.
They entered beaming with smiles. Obviously confident that we are going to bend under their will.
I stood up to address them. “Thank you for stopping over at Pixolands. However, Pixolands is just coming out from a very great disaster and right now, we are taking our time to heal” I stopped.
The three men looked at me, waiting to hear what would be my answer to their offer.
When they saw that I might not be ready to go on, their leader mumbled. “My Chamlar”
“Go back to your alpha and inform him that the Pixolands is not ready to accept its offer,” I directed.
They were stunned and could barely make out a word. “B…but… but… what I…is the reason?” the third delegate asked.
“Their offer is not alluring” I replied.
“B…but refusing would mean war” the third delegate mumbled.
“Leave” I yelled. “We are not afraid of war”
I growled furiously and they all ran out terrified. At least they left with their lives and should be happy about that.
Moorso immediately stood up and said. “Yes we are right not to accept such a ridiculous offer, but what do we say about accepting war with Diamond Cut?” he was visibly frightened.
“This is insane. I am sorry, Chamlar, but what can we do against Diamond Cut?” Tensa asked.
“Diamond Cut is in dire need of us and I hate that there want to take undue advantage of our military might. They want control, and I will not allow that” I replied as my eyes sparked in fury.
“And what do we do? Diamond Cut will not take a threat of war lightly?” Chamlee asked.
I sat back on my throne and looked at each of their faces. They eagerly waited for what I had to say to them, they wanted me to calm their nerves, and I am going to do just that.
“I will be going to the rogues instead” I revealed to their utmost dismay.