Wordcount: 292 words
Rating/Warnings: PG-13
Summary: Sometimes compromise isn’t an option.
NOTE: This is the first draft of a story, so it will most likely contain plot holes, retcons, and other inconsistencies. I’ll come back and fix things once the story (or arc) is complete!
~*~*~*~*~
An End to the War
“We will leave,” the commander of the invading army said, stiff and furious, “we will not yield and there will be no blood price paid for us. Either fight us to the last, or let us go.”
“If you leave,” May said, “then you will return. There will be no end to this war in my lifetime or my children’s lifetime. You are too many, too large and we are too few. Burn the ships or we will burn them for you.”
There was a long moment as they glared at each other across the table.
“Then I will see you on the field tomorrow.” The commander stood, then stiffened and turned as yells of the night watchmen broke out behind them.
The line of long blue ships went up in flames one after the other down the line, with the silent slim shapes of black nighthawks winging through the masts. Silhouetted by the dancing flames they were still just shadows in the night.
Bright blooms of flame billowed up from where each fire bladder hit, the flaming glue adhering to every surface first with an ice-blue fire and then with bright yellow flames as it caught on the wood.
The stormhawks, roused from sleep, were frantically trying to control the fire, but the flames burnt solidly even in the winds. There was not enough time to call in the rains and those few aboard quickly began abandoning ship.
The fleet commander turned back to her furious at the betrayal and she cut him off.
“Wars are not won on even playing fields. You have good honor and good hearts, but survival does not favor honor.”
“Welcome to the fox kingdom, I am sure you will make yourselves right at home.”
~*~*~*~*~