Ben dropped the hammer in the dirt behind Alfred and Jerry. He raised his hands to show that he wasn’t armed and walked forward, ensuring his steps were without aggression. When he neared the fairy commander, Ben smiled to look friendly and stopped a few meters away to avoid encroaching on personal space.

  Ben noticed that the commander stared him down, unsure of his intentions. He gulped, clearing his throat. “I don’t know if you can even understand what I’m saying, but I will try it. I was there when you and Le’Vieux fought that infected fairy on the other side of those mountains, which makes me think you’ll be willing to listen to us. Be assured, we come here in peace.”

  The fairy stayed still before suddenly raising a hand to the others, who appeared to relax slightly.

  Ben felt his head feel slightly funny, like he had gone around a merry-go-round. Suddenly, he heard a voice and realized the fairy was using telepathy to speak with him.

  Whoah!

  “I remember your energy sitting in that metal box atop the hill during the battle. It seems you’ve grown much stronger since then.” The commander motioned behind Ben. “You say you come in peace, but your allies have their weapons ready.”

  Ben still felt butterflies from the fairy's communication with him. It reminded him of his interaction with that cosmic being, but in a more ‘down to Earth’ way. He turned around and motioned downwards with his hand. “It might be a good idea to put the weapons down.”

  Alfred and Jerry glanced at each other confusedly and shrugged. They lowered their weapons but kept their gazes locked with the warriors.

  Ben turned back to the fairy commander. “Is that better?”

  The fairy commander nodded. “Our people and yours have been at war for hundreds of years. Why would you three come here to our fortification?”

  “Well, we followed a tunnel from a mine that led to this valley. My friend Jerry, the archer, noticed your camp. We came here to speak with you about those leech-like creatures that burrow in people's necks and take control of their bodies.” Ben explained.

  The fairy commander nodded. “I know what you speak of, but that doesn't explain why you are here.”

  “Well, after seeing you fighting one of them, we figured you might have answers about what they are and if you know how to deal with them. Let’s say that many knights and people have been infected and will continue to spread until the entire island is infected.” Ben explained.

  “When you saw me down that deserted valley, I was battling a fairy who had been infected to a point where it transformed into a sporemancer. The elder here sent me there to destroy all traces of the parasite to prevent it from spreading across the human lands as it did with ours. Lest you think we were to blame and declare war. You and your knight made it there in time and somewhat did my quest for me.” The fairy commander described.

  Ben nodded. “I’m glad we’re on the same page with that. You said it spread across your lands. What happened?”

  “They arrived here on a shooting star that crashed in the heart of our lands. These creatures began as little spores that infected small insects. That allowed them to morph into their leech form to infect the wildlife. The infected creatures overwhelmed some of our tribes, resulting in them becoming infected, and the most powerful became sporemancers. The civil war that ensued displaced our people to various encampments like the one you see here, where we protect the last remaining tribe elders. If you and your allies mean us harm, we won’t hesitate to fight till the end.” The fairy explained.

  “I’m sorry to hear that happened to your people. As I’ve explained, a similar situation is brewing with our people, and the last thing we want is to make you enemies. Since our peoples are fighting the same enemy, is there no way for us to cooperate for the common good?” Ben asked.

  “What makes you think we want to ally ourselves with you?” The fairy questioned.

  “Look, where I come from, if I can tell you one thing about our history, it is that in the face of great evil, even the worst of enemies have come together to defeat it,” Ben replied.

  The fairy commanded and nodded. “I understand the meaning behind what you speak of. Before anything can be agreed, I must speak with the elder. His word is the law to which we are bound till death.” When he finished speaking, he turned and returned to the camp.

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  Ben stood beside Alfred and Jerry for almost an hour. He explained his conversation with the fairy before discussing how they would soon run out of time, with the sun starting to drop in the sky. Alfred had suggested they could camp in the tunnel if they took turns keeping watch.

  While they chatted, the camp gates swung open, and the fairy commander marched out. He made his way to Ben. “The elder has agreed to speak with you. While in our camp, we ask that you keep your weapons in their sheaths. Our customs forbid us from harming guests unless you attack us first.”

  Ben relayed the information and followed the fairy inside once Alfred and Jerry agreed.

  A multitude of tents filled the interior, and thin paths led into the heart of the camp. In the center, one large tent had been erected, where many warriors stood guard while others patrolled. A few civilian fairies had canopies connected to their tents, where the sounds of artisans going about their business could be heard.

  They were led inside the main tent, where the small embers of a campfire danced in the center. Ben stopped as he noticed the fairy sitting in animal skin robes. Up to that point, all the fairies he had seen had their features obscured by cloths or full plate armor, but he could see the elder's face.

  What shocked Ben the most was that they appeared to look almost identical to humans. There were some differences, the main ones being the large wings on their backs and a darker skin tone resembling greyscale. Their eyes had an aura like Blue and gleamed the same color as their magic: purple.

  The elder motioned for them to sit near the fire before another fairy came in with wooden bowls filled with a steamy broth-like liquid. “I have been informed of your reasons for coming here. I hope you accept my offer of mountain lion broth.”

  Ben nodded, “Thank you; we appreciate the gesture.” He wasn’t sure if eating the food provided was a good idea, but when he saw Jerry scoop the bowl into his mouth, he figured it would be right, as the guy had superhuman perception, and followed suit. He didn't want to offend the hospitality by refusing.

  The broth itself tasted like spices, which tinged Ben’s taste buds. When he got to the diced meat chunks, they tasted like lean pork. Once Ben was finished, he put the bowl down and cleaned himself with a little napkin that was provided.

  “That’s the best broth I’ve had in some time.” Ben smiled.

  The elder nodded before taking in a breath. “As you can see, our people have been through tough times, and I believe these will come to yours, too, if you don’t defeat the enemy. My commander tells me you wish to negotiate with us for an ongoing peace.”

  Ben nodded. “Your people have been through much. I’m proposing that we work together to defeat the enemy as allies. Together as one, we stand a better chance, do we not? Maybe that way, both our peoples can find true peace.”

  The fairy commander sighed. “There are centuries of blood spilled on both sides. What you suggest may be impossible.”

  Ben nodded, “Yes, but it’s worth getting started. We can start with small things like trading goods. We can send you food and other goods. Likewise, you can do the same. We can call it a trade agreement between the fairies and humans.”

  The elder nodded, “I don’t see a problem with making small trades with your people, as it would ease the tensions and make things familiar.”

  Ben nodded before turning to Alfred and Jerry. He explained the details of the conversation. “Do you guys think Le’Vieux and the other leadership would allow some kind of a security agreement for humans and fairies to come to each other's aid if either gets attacked?”

  Jerry shrugged as if he didn't know the answer and motioned to Alfred.

  Alfred stroked his chin. “The trading part is alright. No one would have an issue with that. I think Le’Vieux might be dubious about fighting alongside them at first. He has an open mind about things and is willing to find peace. If it works out, it will remove the strain from all the men stationed at the various forts along the border with the Feruslands. It could even lead to a new golden age of opportunity with the fairies. If you agree to a security agreement, I will personally vouch for it, and it should be enough for him to honor it.”

  Ben nodded with a smile before turning to the elder. “That man there is Knight Captain Alfred. He is very close to our military leader, Le’Vieux, the one your commander fought alongside. He says a security agreement is possible, and we can vow to aid each other in a battle once we build enough trust.”

  The elder looked around at Alfred and Jerry. “You have given me much to think about, and I hope your leaders will abide by what you offer. To show your seriousness, I would ask the three of you to fight alongside my warriors to clear the valley of all infected creatures. With our people being the first of their victims, they have adapted themselves to the way we fight and the effects of our magic. I sense great power within the three of you, which would help us greatly.”

  Ben turned to his companions. “He wants us to fight with his warriors to clear the valley of enemies. I don’t see the harm in doing so. What do you say to some extermination?”

  Alfred nodded, “Those wolves were easy prey. A little challenge wouldn’t hurt.”

  A smile was already planted on Jerry’s face. “It’s funny you say I brought an ample supply of fire arrows along.” He paused as if thinking, “Can you ask him if he’s willing to let me use some of his purple ones? I’ve only seen them in action and always wanted to try them.”

  Ben gave the elder a nod. “We will help you clear the valley, although my companion asks if he can have some of your enchanted arrows. Once we’re done, you are more than welcome to visit my mine beyond the tunnels, where you are welcome to use the resources to rebuild your settlement.”

  The elder smiled before nodding. “When the valley is clear, you have my word as the elder of this tribe. The agreements we have spoken of will be thicker than blood ties. Let it be known that the seeds of peace were planted this day, and the fighting of the past laid to rest. May a new age be formed where man and fairy become allies." He paused to take a breath before finishing, "I will convene with the elders of the other great tribes. Till then, I wish you luck in the valley.”