Echoes of Harmony

War Council Chamber

Druthagon Orbit

High King Thaseas Shadowbrand grinned widely as he watched the holographic projector display the ensuring battle in the center of the room. A bowl of a greenish Druthagar fruit known as a kragdrum rested on a table to his left. Sitting in his lap was the axe he claimed his position with. His hand gently rubbed over the blade, feeling each of the runes carved into it. Still planted next to the throne was the pike holding the head of his predecessor. Parts of it had begun to decay, sloughing away, though he had gotten used to the smell. Some of the others, unfortunately, had not.

Each of the Astral Lords were present with their own consoles at their chairs. Of course, they would need to communicate with the squadrons they commanded. Overall, it was going better than expected. Much better.

He had expected the opportunity to carry out a rout of the Hyperion forces. However, he hadn’t anticipated such a bloodbath. The number of forces they brought was greater than he expected. That just meant he would be able to thin his opponent’s fleet even more than he originally assumed. His mysterious benefactor would be most pleased when he relayed their victory to him.

“Sir, there is an incoming transmission from the enemy,” called out Kosgrael Grayhood, an older dwarf in charge of communications across the kingdom. “The captain of one of their carriers is requesting to negotiate terms of surrender. They call themselves the Celestial Phoenix.”

“Surrender.” Thaseas spat on the ground. Only cowards surrendered. Even the filth once known as Arazec Runeflayer knew that. Then again, perhaps this would be an opportunity to gain further information. He stroked his beard before gesturing to the holoprojector. “Very well. Put them on the main projector, and order our units to cease fire on their vessel at once.”

The command was carried out with expediency. Thaseas thought—no, hoped—it was motivated by fear. They all knew who supported the failure of their previous High King and who held unfaltering loyalty for the new regime. Grayhood was the former, not the latter.

Above the holoprojector, the tactical overlay displaying the ensuing battle disappeared and showed the sight of a rather well maintained bridge. It did not look like they had suffered much damage at all. Some of their technicians moved about the room, but they kept their actions muted, restrained, nonthreatening.

In the center sat what was considered an older human male. His back was ramrod straight with his hands folded in his lap. He looked directly at the camera, his gaze never wavering. After several seconds, the man closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again and speaking.

“I greet the High King of the Druthagar in the name of Movrim and Khegnir in the hopes we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement.” He stood, bowing his head and shoulders. The way he brought his arm across his chest was textbook perfect in Druthagar etiquette. One part of Thaseas was surprised the man went to the lengths to learn that part of their culture. Another felt it a mockery that he would act as if he were a dwarf and not an inferior human. “I am Admiral Elliott Hayes, commanding officer of the Celestial Phoenix, and I yield to your superior might. I wish to negotiate terms for the surrender of my forces.”

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“You have studied our culture.” Thaseas knew the statement sounded dumbstruck, but he didn’t mind. He was sure none of the Astral Lords had heard of a human studying the Druthagar for anything other than warfare.

“Indeed, your highness. When I am beaten, my goal is to assimilate into the superior force.” Hayes gestured with his hands, holding the palms upright. An ancient Druthagar gesture of surrender and obedience. “You have proven to be superior here.”

“Superior is an understatement!” yelled Rakgrael Metalbreaker, brandishing his axe with a snarl. He settled after a gesture from Thaseas.

“What do you wish to obtain, Admiral?” Thaseas asked. “Why should I not blow you out of space now?”

“If you destroy me, you lose the secrets of the Hyperion Empire I have been gathering for the last month and a half of serving alongside their ships.” The man—Elliott Hayes—shifted from foot to foot and stood up taller, if that were even possible. “I wish to obtain the safety of my crew. Continuing to fight a losing battle is foolish, and I will not needlessly waste lives.”

“That is one thing we disagree on, Admiral.” Thaseas snarled the man’s title. He didn’t deserve it if he was going to act like a coward and not even give the Druthagar forces the satisfaction of an honorable battle. “There is no needless wasting of lives in our kingdom. We fight for glory, for honor, for the good of our kingdom. Those who die in service of the Divine are blessed beyond comprehension.”

“I have much to learn about your culture and history.” The man bowed his head once more, closing his eyes in respect. “If you would have mercy on us and allow us to retrieve our fallen in the void. At least, those whose bodies remain.”

Thaseas stared the man in the eyes, trying to judge whether there was an intent to deceive. This admiral seemed forthright. There was no sign of this being a ruse. A glance at the tactical board displayed above the arm of his chair told Thaseas the battle was just moments away from a complete and utter victory.

“Very well.” He stood, taking carefully measured steps closer to the holoprojector. “Prepare your ship for boarding. Your forces are to immediately surrender any and all weapons and remain in their quarters until we have taken control of your vessel. We will bring your ship into a docking bay where you shall remain until fully processed as a prisoner of war. Is this agreeable?”

“As long as my crew remains safe, of course.”

“High King, do you see this ship, the one they call the Oberlander?” Khundrotum Mountainbender hissed from a few meters away. Thaseas shot a glare that stunned him into silence for daring to interrupt.

“Admiral Elliott Hayes, I do wish to ask you a question before we terminate this connection.” Thaseas paced in front of the holoprojector, his hands behind his back. The human nodded his agreement. “The Druthagar, we do not care about any singular dwarf. Like I said, we fight for honor and glory. We hope to die a good death with a weapon in our hands. Why do you care for your soldiers so much?”

The man smiled.

“There is an odd sentiment that humans have when it comes to other creatures, whether they are the same species or not. Most of us do not wish to see others come into harm’s way without it being a necessity. If we can alleviate another’s suffering, we usually wish to do it. Even if, sometimes, that means that we have to suffer ourselves.”

“Curious.” The high king slowly walked back to his throne, glancing at the tactical board one more time before sitting. As the thought churned in his head, he could not imagine putting himself in danger for anyone. “Admiral, ships are en route to board your vessel. Do not do anything to make me regret my decision, or I will make sure Krokir chases your soul for eternity.”

The feed terminated. At the same time, Thaseas’ gaze snapped back onto the tactical board to get a better look at something he noticed with the brief glance. One of the Hyperion ships was approaching the station. Moreover, it was not slowing, but accelerating.