The Storm

"The Storm" is a [SEASON NUMBER] thread written on [IRL DATE].
==Summary==
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==Full Text==
The large framed Central captain peered over the tips of frozen grass from where he lay on his stomach. He gazed at the Rebellion headquarters below the hill he and his men had gathered on. After making sure no dragons could be seen in the night sky, he carefully got up onto his knees, his breath fogging in the evening air. He brushed some snow from his thick, red beard. “Okay,” he hissed, “Start setting it up.”
There was the rustle and clank of armor and shifting feet as a team of men began to dig holes in the ground and wheel a wide, metal contraption towards the crest of the hill. They were only halfway through the processe when one of them barked an alert, as someone ran onto the scene.
The captain turned around with his sword, but then froze. “Borris?!” He sputtered, and the lowered his voice. “What the hel are you doing here. This is a warzone you have no clearance.”
Borris, now clean shaven and notably less bloody, breathed heavily as he grasped his knees. He reached up, and shoved the captain in the shoulder. “I should ask the same of you! You told me we wouldnt do this!”
“Well the Sorceress superseded that promise.” The captain argued. “I still had to report to her and my other superiors after all. They think this a good means to test some of our new weapons at a low risk level. And besides…” he sniffed. “If our deductions based on your information and what we found at the scene of the ruined hotel is correct, then they are harboring Rhenco and the filthy half breed that tried to kill you there.”
“And the kid that helped me escape from said half breed and Rhenco!”
“Yes, Grey Bergman’s offspring.” The captain scoffed. “You know he wouldnt have helped you if he knew you were a citizen of High Central. A pity you weren’t able to bring him to us. He would have made excellent leverage.”
“Listen to me!” Borris begged, pushing a finger to his friends chest. “He, killed, Jarod…he found Rhenco’s weakness. He saved me from both them and my own despiration. If it hadn’t been for him I would have killed myself.”
Borris could tell he was getting through, but the captain’s jaw was still clenched. “We know of the horrors of Haddock’s rein. The so called chief is no better. That and we know there is a Donz in their ranks! Do you remember him Borris? The man who burned down our home? Our city? How many friends of ours were killed by his bronze clad men?! It was that baseless attack that allowed us to be split by the Rebellion in the first place! There are too many reasons to do this and not enough to not. We’ll give them something to think about, have a little payback, maybe negotiate a minor deal, and then haul ass early to keep things from going south.”
Borris folded his arms uncomfortably. “Please…reconsider…just a little…for me brother.”
The captain worked his jaw again, and then relented a little. “Okay…okay I can send a scout to find out where the boy lives and, at best, where he is before we begin the attack. We’ll aim for the other side of the target area when we find out. But that’s it…”
Oct 18, 2019
Borris pressed himself against the back wall of Grey’s house. For all of his friends assurances, he knew a Central scout wouldn’t put much work into ensuring the safety of a member of the rebellion. He had to go himself…just to be sure.
It had taken him only a little bit of careful watching before he identified the house, and snuck up to what I hoped was Sven’s bedroom window. Of course this window could just as easily be Chief Grey’s herself. But at this point Borris would take it over letting Sven get hit by a catapult out of nowhere.
Bending at his knees, the man took up a small pebble, and tossed it out the window.
@lbigreyhound13
Oct 18, 2019
“Thanks for coming with me, guys,” Kari said to her older siblings as Sven and Dagny followed her with their dragons.
“No problem, Kari,” Sven said. “I needed to walk off that dinner Aunt Asha fed us.” He stretched. “Oooh…I think Mom is going to have to make me a new outfit. My stomach is popping out.” He patted his stomach.
“Really did not need to know that,” Dagny said cringing and rolling her eyes.
“Guys, come on!” Kari said running ahead toward their house. “We got to make this quick.”
Oct 18, 2019
Borris staggered as he attempted to take up another pebble, but saw the three halfway through the process. He tripped once briefly as he ran towards them. “Sven!” He called, waving a hand. “Sven over here!”
Oct 18, 2019
“Boris?” Sven asked squinting at the man as he ran over to him and his sisters.
“Boris?” Dagny and Kari asked in unison.
“Wait!” Dagny asked quickly putting the pieces together. “Is that guy who—?”
“Boris!” Sven said running over to meet the man in the middle. “I don’t believe it! It’s you! You’re alive! W-Where did you go? You disappeared when…”
Oct 18, 2019
“Y-y-yeah I’m fine,” Borris hastened to say. “I…I…I just had to get out of there. I couldn’t risk staying around I’m sorry. B-but listen Sven, as I was coming into town, I saw a group of Central soldiers, setting up catapult like things on a hill. You need to get you and your family somewhere under ground.”
Oct 18, 2019
“What?!” Sven asked frantically.
“Central is here?” Kari asked looking at Dagny, who was looking at their older brother…the Future Chief.
“Aw man…aw man…” Sven said running a hand through his hair. “M-my parents aren’t even here! T-The council is, but…”
Oct 18, 2019
Borris glanced around the town.
Coming here was a risk…we’re ready for dragons but if that demon shows up we’re dead…
He began to back away and put out placating hands. “I-it’s fine…Sven…just bunker down. The attack force didn’t look very big. They shouldn’t have too much ammo. Just hold steady…maybe see if negotiation is possible. Just don’t panic.”
Oct 20, 2019
“W-Wait, where are you going?” Kari asked as soon as she noticed that Boris was beginning to back away from them. 
“Boris, you can stay with us,” Sven said. “We can keep you and the rest of the village safe.” He couldn’t understand why he would think to leave. He knew Sven, and he was sure that Grey wouldn’t mind having the man who escaped with her son from Rhenco’s hotel. Why leave?
Oct 20, 2019
“No…no…that’s fine.” Borris wrung his hands. “I should get back home. Just get yourself somewhere safe.” He glanced back towards the hills nervously. 
They won’t start unless I go back…and if I take too long they’ll send someone to get me and then things could really get ugly…
Oct 20, 2019
Dagny eyed the retreating man suspiciously. Where exactly was he going? Why wouldn’t he stay in the village? She sighed. There was no time to think about that now. They had to focus. Sven had to focus. He was Acting Chief, and given that their parents and some of their cousins were off the island, it was up to him and the council. 
“We can’t just hide without helping everyone else, Sven,” Dagny said. 
“I know that,” Sven said with a little exasperation. “We need to get the council. Then…uhh…” he wracked his brain thinking what their mother would do, “aw man…there’s no time to evacuate everybody. As soon as these Central guys see that…no, w-we…” Sven widened his eyes. “We can use the Great Hall. Everyone can hide out in there until the attack is over, and then some of the council guys and I can go negotiate.”
“Sven, do you honestly think that they’ll listen to a 17-year-old?” Kari asked.
“Not only that, but they won’t believe that Mom would just send her son out to negotiate,” Dagny added. “It might be best to make them think that Mom is still here.”
Oct 20, 2019
Borris felt like a scumbag with his next thought…but he couldn’t help it.
Negotiation with a kid could yield more than what an adult would bargain. It would give everyone a better reason to pull back without firing a shot. No one would get hurt…
“Perhaps…” he blurted. “You could get to them before they attack. Diffuse the situation before it escalates.”
Oct 20, 2019
Sven stared at Borris as his suggestion echoed in his head. Diffuse the situation… That was probably exactly what Grey would’ve done before any attack. It’s what they did when they rescued him from Rhenco. His parents didn’t attack Rhenco, but they were prepared to in case he made the first move. He also knew without a doubt that his parents would’ve attacked if he was in real danger when they found him. 
That’s what he should do! Go to them! Find out what they want, and try to reason with them! Perfect. 
Dagny must’ve sensed this. “No, Sven, whatever you’re thinking stop thinking it!” 
“I have to, Dags,” Sven said as he waved his Monstrous Nightmare over from the house. “I can probably stop this attack before anything happens. You two can get the council together and start getting everyone into the Great Hall and wait for me.”
“Sven, are you crazy?! These guys are the ones who killed Uncle Greg all those years ago! There’s no way–”
“I have to try,” Sven said as he mounted Pyro. 
Oct 21, 2019
“I-I’ll come with you!” Borris piped up.
Gods! Then again they may just take him away, or worse!
“It probably shouldn’t just be us.” He added. “It looked like a strike force. You’ll want to meet them with even numbers or at least a handful of dragons. Even for negotiation…”
Oct 21, 2019
“Okay, then,” Sven said as the wheels turned in his head, “I can take a handful of men with me. The rest will need to stay here in case...something happens.”
Dagny sighed. She still didn’t agree with her older brother’s decision, especially when their parents were nowhere nearby to make the decisions. However, she also knew that Sven had this stupid need to prove himself after the whole incident with Rhenco. He had felt weak, but she knew that he felt if he could stop this, he could get past the Rhenco situation. 
“Okay, so long as you bring back up,” Dagny finally said. 
“Yeah,” Sven replied. “I’ll go gather them up, you guys go tell the council what’s up.”
The captain continued to oversee the process of his men setting up the catapults, when a warning call was give and he turned his gaze upwards. His eyes widened when he saw dragons with riders on them.
They located us already!? Damn! This could get dicey, but most of the catapults are set up already. Their dragon blasts won’t knock down these machines, we’ve seen to…wait…is that Boris? Oh he did not-!
His shoulders sagged as he saw his friend already waving a strip of white fabric as they approached. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” He growled, and then raised his voice. “Hold fire!” He marched forward with his chest out and hand gripping his sword. “That’s far enough rider!” He called up to Sven.
@lbigreyhound13
lbigreyhound13
“Alright, alright! Stop!” Sven shouted as he yanked on his dragon’s reins causing him to stop midair. His heart was beginning to pound as he saw the Central soldiers down below with their catapults, and he couldn’t help but wonder if he was in way over his head and wished that Grey was with him. He took a deep breath and called down to the captain. “I’m here to negotiate. You don’t have to attack my village. If you let me come down, we can talk this out. There’s no need for bloodshed.”
moe-lazyeye
“I’ve got a scorched army, assassinated leaders, raided caravans, ruined prisons, and dead friends that say otherwise. We have reason enough for bloodshed thanks to you rebels but…” The captain worked his jaw. “I..will…listen I suppose.” He growled out, and then took a step back, bidding Sven to touch down.
lbigreyhound13
“Oh boy…” Sven whispered to himself. Yeah…he was definitely in over his head, but there was no turning back now. He turned to Pyro. “Okay, buddy, nice and easy.”
The dragon obeyed his rider and slowly landed on the ground a few feet from the captain. Sven slowly dismounted his dragon and took a step closer. “Look, this village is crawling with innocent lives, who have nothing to do with the rebellion,” Sven began. “If you leave now, we can just easily forget this ever happened.”
moe-lazyeye
The captain took a moment to give Boris and withering glare, and then turned to Sven. “This war is burning like wildfire. If forgetting about something was on the table your rebellion wouldn’t be trying to eradicate our way of life. Apparently breaking us into fractions wasn’t enough for you…” He folded his arms and studied him. “Captain Olansee…you?”
lbigreyhound13
Sven glared at the Captain in return. He heard Grey mention this name quite a few times, and now putting a face to a name…it made his anger increase just a little bit. How could this man stand there and say his way of life was the right away? His mom was trying to save lives. Why was that so wrong?
He took a deep breath. It was pretty clear High Central knew his parents, or at least his mom given her history. He crossed his arms and stood up straight. “Sven Felman,” he replied. “You may not know me…but you probably know my mother.”
moe-lazyeye
Onlansee immediately glanced up to see how many other people Sven had brought with him, and his face soured behind his red beard when he saw several other dragons still waiting and ready behind him. He looked away with a resigned huff, giving up on any notion of possibly taking the Chief’s son hostage. For now at least. 
“Alright then Sven…Here’s the deal. We’re here because of lots, and lots, of dead caravan drivers. Eye for an eye. You ambush and kill some of us, we ambush and kill some of you. You want us to pull back. I on the other hand want to set a few of these catapults off first. So what are you offering in terms of negotiation?”
lbigreyhound13
“You allow any half-breeds my mother and the rebellion free from those dungeons to stay under her protection and leave this island immediately without setting those off,” Sven said. That sounded reasonable enough. “In return…uhhh…” he had to be careful here, “maybe I can convince my mother to call off those attacks on the caravans.”
moe-lazyeye
Onlansee rolled a tongue around in his mouth and tapped his foot in thought. He exhaled long and thoughtfully. 
“Fine…” He managed to grind out through his teeth. 
He gripped his belt with one hand and then held out the other on his sword hip towards Sven. “Do you rebels have any sense of formality with your negotiating? Or is a handshake with the enemy permissible?”
lbigreyhound13
“I think you’re starting to become confused as to which of us are the barbarians here,” Sven mumbled to himself. Although, there was a part of him that was actually surprised Capt. Onlansee agreed so quickly. 
“Gods…how does Mom deal with this every day?” he thought to himself. 
He quickly cleared his throat and held out his hand. “A handshake is just fine,” Sven said to Onlansee. 
moe-lazyeye
Olansee gripped his hand quickly before letting go, and was just about to turn around when Boris spoke up, stammering uncertainly.
“Well…s-shouldn’t there be something else? I mean…you could call off the attack and the raids could still continue anyway. Just as easily as you could set off the catapults even when they stop the raids. M-maybe we could get something tangible here.”
“For! The love! Of the gods Boris!” Olansee thundered turning around with wide eyes. “What the Hel is your deal?!”
lbigreyhound13
Sven widened his eyes as he looked at the captain and then back at Boris. He would’ve missed this if Olansee didn’t say Boris’ name.
“W-Wait…you…you two…know each other…?” Sven said as he looked between the two men. 
moe-lazyeye
“He’s a citizen, aye. He’s supposed to be a smart one too.” Olansee folded his arms and shook his head incredulously. “Why are you doing this? You’re going to be suspect of treason if you keep this up!”
Boris shifted around where he stood. “I just didn’t want Sven getting hurt. Come on Olansee…he saved my life…don’t you owe him a little more than a bullshit negotiation?” 
The captain opened his mouth, ground his teeth, and then took another look at Sven. The boy could see there was actual gratitude in his eyes. “Oh…alright…” He turned to face some of his men. “Bring some wood and stools for sitting over here.” He glanced back at Sven. “Our rebel visitors here will supply the fire…and we’ll talk…” 
lbigreyhound13
Sven widened his eyes at the surprises that were coming in one after another. First, he learned that Boris was a Central citizen…a Central citizen who was actually trying to protect him…after he saved his life. He threw a quick smile to Boris and then turned back to the men behind him nodding.
While it was a little suspicious, he decided to give the captain a benefit of a doubt. He was only aiming for a negotiation, but it could just as easily be broken. The future Chief nodded to Pyro who gently lit a stack of firewood. 
moe-lazyeye
Soon Olansee sat with Sven around a fire, and he glanced at his friend. “Boris…” He implored. “Please go home…”
“If it’s all the same to you friend.” Boris sighed as he found a seat as well. “I’d rather go home with an escort.”
Olansee rubbed his face. “Gods you’re going to get yourself into so much trouble.” He huffed. “Okay…acting chief I suppose…let’ try this again. With all due respect, I doubt you’ll be able to stop those ambushes. They carry prisoners, many of them half breeds, and your…erm…group…has made it very clear that this is a matter of our business that they won’t let us conduct in peace.”
lbigreyhound13
Sven sighed and stared at the fire. He had actually forgotten about that part. “Okay, maybe you’re right about that,” he said. “Maybe we can work something else out. Look, Captain, I’m sure you’re a respectable guy where you’re from. Do you honestly believe that what you’re doing is right?”
moe-lazyeye
“Yes.” Olansee said with ground molars. “But I’m not going to debate this war with you. I’m only negotiating today.” he raised a hand. “I’m here on orders…give me something worth calling off the attack…and we can go.”
lbigreyhound13
Sven sighed. “How does Mom deal with these guys?” he thought to himself. 
“Okay, I can’t get Mom to call off those attacks,” he began, “but…” he had to think carefully about this. He could jeopardize the rebellion Grey and Lila were leading, “maybe…” he sighed and thought really hard. 
“Be careful, boy,” one of the Haligan soldiers said from behind. “You can’t trust these lowlives. Your mother has tried.”
moe-lazyeye
“Bold words from someone who likely eats out of a trough. And I’m negotiating with the Chief’s son.” Olansee pointed a stern finger. “Not you…let him say what he wants.”
“Olansee…” Boris said, his tone serious and his friend glanced at him.
The captain’s lips tightened as he reminded himself he still owed this boy and therefore siphoning sensitive information from him wasn’t exactly a good show of gratitude. He folded his arms again. Sven was obviously a fish out of water but the captain had to give it to him. The mere teenager had taken the helm and was facing a Central captain. Just this once, he supposed, he’d work with a rebel. 
Boris looked to Sven, evaluating whether he would let Olansee’s less than diplomatic retort slide or not. 
lbigreyhound13
“As much as I appreciate that you respect me as such…in a way,” Sven began glaring at the captain, “I would appreciate it if you didn’t speak to my men that way. You should consider yourself lucky that you’re dealing with me and not my mom.” Sven sighed. “I refuse to hand over the half-breeds…or give any sensitive information regarding the rebellion or what my mom plans to do next. However, there might be something else that can benefit both parties here.”
moe-lazyeye
“Then have your man keep his lowlife comments to himself if he’s capable.” Olansee growled, and then worked his jaw over Sven’s terms. “I’ll require some information…and maybe some half breeds…tell me. Is it true your rebellion apprehended someone named Rhenco?”
lbigreyhound13
“I can’t give you anything about the rebellion or half-breeds,” Sven replied, “but yes, we did apprehend Rhenco. My mom arrested him after he kidnapped me about a few weeks ago.” Chills ran up his spine at the mention of his former captor…the man who kidnapped him just to get to Grey. “He escaped not too long after Mom was able to learn some stuff about him and his methods.”
moe-lazyeye
Boris stood up so quickly at these words that his stool was clear knocked over. He stared at Sven, and then at Olansee with horror in his eyes.
The captain put out a placating hand. “It’s…its okay Boris…we won’t let him find you again.”
“That’s what we said last time…” Boris whispered, his face graying.
Olansee turned back to Sven. “We know his methods. They’re barbaric and unnatural. What about the rotting fester he called his family? Do you have them? Spider folk, and one human female for gods knows what reason.”  
lbigreyhound13
Sven completely avoided the question about Malak and his family. “Okay, yeah, you know his methods to change people,” he said, “but that’s not all. Do you know of the Red Card?”
moe-lazyeye
“Yes, Boris was familiar with it.” Olansee said. “I have my own ideas on it’s usefulness that could end this war. But it’s far to dangerous to work with.” He rubbed his beard. “You dodged my question. That family may be your bargaining chip. Unless you can think of another one.”
“No, we don’t have them,” Sven replied. “They left a while ago, but my mom is not sure where they went. But what if…I told you that my mom has the Red Card here on this island…and that she figured out how to cure the victims?”
Oct 21, 2019
Sven could see that Olansee’s attention. The man’s postured changed ever so slightly to show interest. “I…don’t believe you about Malak and his crew…even you sympathetic rebels wouldn’t let the likes of him walk free. But…a cure you say? Rhenco said there was no cure for red card.” 
Oct 21, 2019
“Well, what can I say?” Sven said leaning back on his stool slightly. “My parents and I agreed that he and his family deserved a second chance and let him go. Haven’t heard from them in days, but anyway, my mom didn’t think so either. But Rhenco managed to infect one of our villagers with it before he escaped, and Mom was able to cure him no problem.”
Oct 21, 2019
This time it was Boris who turned a look of disbelief to the boy. “A second chance…you can’t be serious Sven. Don’t you remember how Malak tried to kill us? Those people you saw strung up in that tower were put there by Farris on Rhenco’s orders. They know who I am why on earth would you release them like that?!”
Olansee held out a hand. “Let’s…let’s just go back to the cure-”
“No, no!” Boris shook his head. “No we are not going back to cure talk! Put the stupid negotiation and your military escapades on the back burner for once! I’ve just been told that not only Rhenco, but Malak’s entire fucking family is on the loose and I…” He clutched at his chest. “Odin and Frigga, and I was just walking around by myself…”
Oct 21, 2019
“Boris, if you would just let me explain–” Sven began as he slowly stood up. He mentally kicked himself for forgetting for a brief moment that Boris experienced the horrors in that hotel longer than he did. 
Oct 21, 2019
“Yes please do.” Boris said, his lower jaw quivering. 
“Gods…” Olansee growled as he rubbed his face. “Boris I will avenge you I swear but if this boy has the means to cure red card we need to hear it!”
Oct 21, 2019
“I promise, I will explain later,” Sven said, “but the red card’s cure is…the red card itself. My mom said that they gave it to the victim again, and it worked. They managed to cure him. Rhenco lied about there being no cure to fool his victims.”
Oct 21, 2019
Olansee was about to reply when Boris shot out a hand. “No! Not later, later I could end up in mount massive again. Now!”
The captain stood to his feet. “Gods Boris you tire me sometimes. Boy if you tell us about the family and Rhenco, in relation to location and where we might expect to encounter them I’ll…well in light of what you have just told me about the cure as well…I’ll ensure no one in your village gets hurt today…please. Just set his mind at some form of ease.”
Oct 21, 2019
Sven stared at Olansee and Boris. Could he really do that to Malak and his family? Just hand them over to High Central? What would his mother think? What would his family think? What would his village think if he did that? He sighed in what appeared to be defeat. 
“I don’t know where Rhenco went,” Sven said. “He…attacked Mom and…disappeared after Dad and my mom’s dragon killed him trying to save her. But…with Malak’s family…” a thought occurred to him. So long as they didn’t know Malak and his family were here, he wouldn’t go against the rebellion’s cause. “I need a map of Aidorin.”
Oct 21, 2019
Olansee clicked his fingers and barked a command over to his men, and a soldier ran a parchment over, handing it to Sven.
Boris still seemed shell shocked. “But why…Sven why would you ever let them go? Every single one of them was…” he shook his head. 
Oct 21, 2019
Sven sighed. He wanted to tell Boris. He really wanted to tell them that it was okay and that Malak and his family were locked away here on Haligan Island, but not now. Not when Olansee was standing next to them.
He turned his attention back to the parchment. “Okay, we’re here,” Sven said pointing to a small island on the map, “and last time Malak reached out to Mom, he and the family were somewhere in the Northwest…not to far from the demon lands.”
Oct 21, 2019
“Well at least that’s a hike from us.” Olansee said in a resigned tone. 
Boris looked at the map skeptically. “Yes…I suppose it is…” He looked between the two of them, and then pulled his coat tighter around his shoulders before walking past.
Olansee frowned. “Where are you going.”
“To the tents…” Boris answered tersely. “You both can finish your negotiations without citizen input I’m sure.”
Olansee opened his mouth and then closed it, muttering a curse. “Gods…” he growled. “Alright…alright…near the demon lands then.” He looked Sven in the eye. “Now you swear on whatever honor your rebellion has. No. Swear on the grave of the late revolutionary Gareth Haddock’s that this is true. For both the cure and the location of Malak and his family.”
Oct 21, 2019
“Yes,” Sven said nodding, “as the Acting Chief of Haligan Island, I swear on my Uncle King Haddock’s grave that everything I said is absolutely true. Both the cure and Malak and his family.”
Oct 21, 2019
Olansee growled in thought, and nodded a few times. “The cure, and the location. Useful information, and I’ll keep my promise. No one will be harmed. However…” He added gravely. “If I come back to my superior with just that she’s likely to kill me. I don’t trust you Sven but I do owe you for saving my friend. She will not see things so kindly. Something else must be done…”
Oct 21, 2019
Sven looked at him nervously. Something wasn’t sitting right, and his heart was beginning to pound. “W-What do you mean?” he asked. “What must be done?”
Oct 21, 2019
“Your village still needs to undergo bombardment. Otherwise I’m dead at worst and strip of rank at best for defying orders.” Olansee sighed and motioned down the hill towards the town. “Pick a side, move everyone into one, and I’ll aim for the other. Whether you choose to attack or wait it out is one you. We only have so much ammo anyway.”
Oct 21, 2019
His heart dropped. Even if he did just that and got the villagers, he would still be letting High Central attack his village…his home…his people. How could a Chief do that? Would Grey let that happen? If Olansee thought he was going to take advantage, he was wrong.
“I can’t let you do that, Captain,” he said firmly. “Either there’s another way to appease your boss or you just leave and deal with that yourself. My village is to not be attacked or bombarded or whatever.”
Oct 21, 2019
Olansee motioned behind him with a thumb. “Those catapults are up and ready chief’s son. You can have half a day to move your people. Or we can start this fight now. Considering you’ve already told me the cure and the locations of Malak, I’d take the half day.”
Oct 21, 2019
“Absolutely not!” Sven shouted. 
“I’m starting to sound like Mom…” he thought to himself before continuing. 
“I can’t let you attack this village,” Sven said glaring at the captain. “At least, give me a day to talk it over with my mom’s council. I can come back tomorrow with an answer.”
Oct 22, 2019
“Why? So you have time to form an attack to kill all of us? You know our location. Look at the end of the day I’m giving you more than any other central captain would, and you’re saving more lives than what would have happened if you hadn’t come here to negotiate…” Olansee looked serious, but oddly patient. “You need to take this Sven. Otherwise you will have given the enemy everything and saved no one… it’s either possessions… or people.”
Oct 22, 2019
Sven visibly deflated realizing that Olansee had a valid point. It was either buildings or the people. He should’ve known that the captain wouldn’t go for waiting a whole day just for the Haligan Tribe to gather up their resources and their dragons to fight back. He was really hoping to avoid a fight, but...what else could he possibly do?
What would Grey would think if she heard that her son...her successor let the enemy attack their home? What would she do in this situation?
He could only stare at his feet wishing that there was some other way.
Olansee sat in silence for a moment, and then carefully exhaled when he saw Sven’s resigned look. “Not bad kid…” He told him. “Truth be told I was going to bombard you all first and then negotiate, or pull back, depending on how things went. I guess you have Boris to thank for that…he’s the one that insisted you get somewhere safe first, and probably led you here prematurely.”
He stood up. “So don’t look so glum…you got half a day. You can use it however you want. I’ll be aiming the bombardment to the left.” The captain added, motioning with his hand.
@lbigreyhound13
lbigreyhound13
Sven glared at the captain as Pyro sent a low growl toward the man behind him. He was grateful that he told Dagny and Kari to tell the council to get everyone into the Great Hall before he came here with Boris. The teen could now only hope that the villagers wouldn’t get angry at their Chief’s son for allowing the enemy to attack part of their village. 
“I wouldn’t be so cocky if I were you, Captain,” he said. “If my mom was here, this would be an entirely different conversation.”
moe-lazyeye
“Well your mom isn’t here.” Olansee said plainly. “Take your choices today like a man. Your clock is ticking.”
He eyed the dragon warily, and then carefully picked up his stool, and backed away towards the camp again, keeping his eye on the pair.
lbigreyhound13
“Yeah…because you know all about being a man,” he thought to himself. He wasn’t sure what he was trying to prove with that statement regarding Grey…maybe that Grey wouldn’t just let the enemy attack their home…that she wouldn’t let this happen…that she would protect their people no matter what.
Sven took a deep breath as he moved to mount Pyro, but stopped short. “At least let me say goodbye to Boris…alone,” he said simply to the captain. 
moe-lazyeye
Olansee paused, and then gravely shook his head. “No…can’t risk it…” he met his eyes, and Sven saw something he recognized. Olansee had the same look that his mother and father had. A fear, and a terrible memory of the same, deprived man. “I can call him out here though…”
lbigreyhound13
“That’s fine,” Sven said. He then looked to the men behind him. “You can start heading back to the village. Make sure everyone is where my sisters told them to go. I’ll be right behind you. This shouldn’t be much longer.”
“Are you sure, Sven?” one of them asked. He could understand why they were so hesitant to leave their Chief’s son unattended with the enemy. 
“Positive,” he said with a small smile. “Go on.”
They nodded and quickly took off back to the village. 
moe-lazyeye
It was a short, tense minute before Boris stepped out of his tent at Olansee’s bidding. He was still holding his coat closely to his sides, a adverting his eyes from nearly everyone around him. He stepped up a little distance from Sven, the captain behind him, who watched the young stand in chief’s movements carefully. 
lbigreyhound13
“I have to go back,” Sven said smiling at Boris. “I…I appreciate your help with this.” He sighed sadly looking at Olansee…feeling like a complete failure, but he quickly pushed that down. Perhaps, there was still a chance to stop their bombardment, but he wasn’t sure. For now, he just needed to say goodbye to Boris. “Umm…I’m glad you got home okay after…” he trailed off. 
moe-lazyeye
Boris drew a shaky breath as if gathering his wits, and then hesitantly turned so he was looking Sven in the eye. “Y-yeah…” He swallowed once. “I’m really glad you made it home safe too. I-uh…I had to get out of there once…all by myself last time and…it was awful. But when we were getting out together I just felt…safer…”
His fingers gripped his coat tighter. “Maybe…one day we won’t be on the opposite side of a war.”
lbigreyhound13
That statement caused Sven’s heart to break. It was a painful reminder that he and Boris were on the opposite sides of a war. Boris was the citizen in a part of a continent everyone hates, and he…was the son of a Chief leading the rebellion…and being a former member of the first one. 
“Look, if you ever need anything,” Sven quickly eyed the captain before turning back to Boris. He took out a small parchment and quickly wrote something down, “you know where to find me.” He quickly folded the parchment. 
It read: “I lied about Malak and his family. They’re prisoners here on the island. My mom is making them help the rebellion. Still don’t know where HE is.”
He quickly handed Boris the parchment holding it in his hand for a handshake. 
moe-lazyeye
Boris gripped his hand quickly and shook it as if his heart wasn’t really behind it. But he deftly slipped the paper out of his hand and into his pocket without Olansee seeing. 
And even though Boris didn’t know what was on the slip, he dropped the smallest of winks in Sven’s direction, as if to show whatever secret Sven had decided to write down, it was safe with him.
lbigreyhound13
Sven gave the smallest of smiles when he saw Boris wink at him. Before sneaking another glance at the captain, he slowly backed away from Boris…wishing that his former fellow captive wasn’t his enemy. 
“I…uhh…should…get back…” Sven said. 
moe-lazyeye
Boris gave a nod. “Fly safe.”
And then he stepped back to join his friend, and Sven saw the other soldiers begin to ready the catapults.