Elysium: Children of Three Lands #1: War Never Changes

War Never Changes

"There is no such thing as a good war, or a bad peace." Benjamin Franklin, Chief Ambassador of English Commonwealth to the Holy French Empire 

15 August 1449

Fadl hated war.

As a devout follower of the goddess Freya, Fadl preferred diplomatic solutions to the problems he encountered. However, the Paramount was a follower of Tyr. And because of the religious pursuit of justice, the followers of Tyr have a tendency to labels as rigidity and inflexible. Especially by the more diplomatic minded followers of Freya. Numerous Elysian wars have been waged because a Tyr Paramount misinterpreted someone's, especially a foreign cultures, actions as a slight or an insult. This is not saying all reigns of Tyr Paramount is one constant warfare just a like all reigns of a Freya Paramount isn't all peaceful. A paramount acts as necessary for the befit of the people despite the god or goddess edicts they worship. In truth, the only real difference is how they handle victory and defeat. A fact that his brought Fadl to the lands of recently defeated Dalvarken Tribe.

This whole ugly affair began with brash children and a debt that could have been settled privately. Since the Dalvarken Tribe moved into the borderland outside Elysian territories it was normal for their braves to chase game into Elysian land and make the kill there. As Elysian land is large and policing the border for minor incursions was foolish, these incursion were handled by the adjacent towns. And if need be the jarl. While uncommon if not out right rare, hostilities only erupt when two or more parties are unknownly tracking the same and all parties are unwilling to compromise. One such rarity occurred between a group of young braves on their first hunt as adults. The game was there by right because it was wound on their land but fled to Elysian territory hoping to escape pursuit. After group of Elysian youngsters spotted the game and killed it. As the start to prepared the kill the fist hunting party happened on them. A fight occurred between the lead hunters and the Elysian broke his leg as a result. The lead hunter was carried home by his fellows and later the boy, his father, and the town elder went to the tribe to get the whole story. While both sides agreed the Elysian was at fault, the boy injuries prevented him from working the lands. With harvest season upon he was needed more than ever. The father requested the brave perform all of the boy's work until he healed. The chief disagreed that the boy despite his injuries be made to work. Siting if the boy died the brave would be bound to them forever. The elder assured him that it was wound was not life threatening but he continued his refusal. Honestly hoping it would end peaceful, the matter was taken to his Jarl. The Jarl, a follower of Odin, gathered an army and marched to the border. He demanded the boy's family make restitution to the Elysians. The tribal braves met the Jarl's men in combat. Defeated the Jarl promised he would return with a greater army. Enter the Paramount and the Elysian Armed Forces.

Two years later, both the Elysians and the Dalvarkens have suffered enough. Fadl had be specifically chosen because his ancestry. His mother had been a converted savage. Fadl and his entourage reached the last village of the Dalvarken people. The surrounding walls were in dire need of repair. The fields were razed and burnt bodies littered throughout them. Elysian soldiers stabbed corpses as the stripped them of weapons. At the gates, Elysian soldiers stood watch as they entered with supplies of foods and other aid. Fadl was given a salute and permitted to enter. The devastation of the homes suggest a lot of the fight took place after the walls fell. In the center of the village, noncombatant sat terrified under the watchful eye of Elysian soldiers. Many of them were women and children. The captured men and elders were kept in cages. Every so often a pair of soldiers would carry a wounded man over to a cage and toss him in.

Fadl could stomach no more of it. He marched over to one of the Huskarls. After salutes were exchanged the Huskarl inquired, "What task do you require of me, Thane Fadl."

Fadl did not inquire to how he knew was a Thane. Even in their large territory, newest of the exotic looking Fadl must have reached someone's ear. He shook it out, "I want to see the lead general and the village chieftain."

"At once Thane Fadl." The Huskarl escorted Fadl to a hastily constructed house that served as the command post. The general had been waiting for him when he arrived. The Huskarl saluted the general and returned to his post. Then the general saluted Fadl.

"Thane," the general said calmly, "I am Yalbay al-Qazdughi."

"Greetings I am here on behalf of our paramount to negotiate the terms of surrender," Fadl stated as the general laughed.

"Anything funny, general?"

"You don't negotiate in victory. The word is dictate," Yalbay laughed.

Fadl instantly didn't like this man. He was boorish. He shook the thoughts from his mind. It was not him who needed to accept. His job was done.

"Be that has it may I am still here to negotiate with the chieftain and the tribal elders. Where are they?"

Yalbay motioned behind him to the structure. "Inside. I wanted to keep them separate from the others. I would hate to have to put down an insurrection."

Fadl only grimace at the comment. Men like Yalbay who worship the Allfather Odin tend to make Fadl's work and by extent in his life difficult.  Entering the structure Fadl finds the Chief and his elders under heavy guard. They did not look maltreated or starved. While a few sported bruises, nothing that Fadl could call life threatening.

"Greetings," Fadl said in their tongue, "I am Fadl. A thane and diplomat of Elysium." After Fadl introduced himself, he heard some began muttering while others stared.

"Which among you is chieftain?" The youngest among them stood up despite the protest of the others. The soldiers pointed crossbows at him while others ready to strike.

"I am Salleekookoolah. With my father dead it is I leads the elders," he stated while making a rather aggressive gesture.

"Easy now. Everyone just calm down. This is their chieftain." The crossbows remained pointed at him but the other soldiers returned to their watch. Fadl took a deep breath.

"I see. My chief has come with terms for you approval. First you will admit defeat." Fadl said and the elders began to discuss the first term. A few minutes went by and an elder whispered into Salleekookoolah's ear.

"We have no choice but to admit defeat." Salleekookoolah said gesturing around him.

"Good. The Dalvarken will increase it trade with Elysuim at favorable prices as war reparations."

After an hour long debate between the elder and the chief, Salleekookoolah stood again.

"Dalvarken goods do not compare to Elysian goods. Why would you want continued trade?" Fadl shrugged, "In Elysian beyond Sulaquni and great capital of Sypatria, the trinkets you make has become something of a novelty. Especially among marriage age women. It would increase the flow of gold merchant pockets and give those that want your eradication less strength to argue."

Salleekookoolah looked to the head elder and he nodded. "Very well we accept those terms."

"Good. Once we have distribed food and supplies to see you through the cold season we will depart your lands."

Salleekookoolah nodded and sat back down the elders of his tribe. Yalbay had been listening outside door. Though they were speaking Dalva, he knew an accord had been reached.

"So have they agreed to join Elysium," he started looking around picturing exactly where he was going to build his home for the time being. "This farmland is ideal for good vegetables."

"No. They will remain independent."

"What in Hel's name were you talking about in there. The latest import figures?" Fadl raised an eyebrow to him.

"Brokering a favorable peace accord. One that enriches both our people's live."

Yalbay shook has head in anger, "what would enrich our people's live would be kicking these heathen savages the hell out of this pristine farmland. Ideally with the women and children as slaves."

"Yalbay. I am Thane. I am empowers by the Paramount to negotiate on her behalf. She ordered me to find away to co-exist. I found a way to do that. If you wish to second guess our Paramount, continue debating with the finer points of the terms."

Yalbay did not want to continue he wanted to slaughter them all in Odin's name. That what he wanted to do. But he couldn't. As long Fadl was here  he was in command. Yalbay wished he was a jarl. Just to take some of the authority out of Fadl's voice.

"Damn Tyr worshipping Paramount. Justice has no place in survival. It is us or them. Victory is life." Yalbay muttered as he headed toward his tent, "it won't be long before we are back at this again. Mark my words. These savages never learn to submit to their betters."

Fadl hated war. War...war never changes. Lives are lost and good people do horrible things. But in war, or at least this one, there is a chance that both combatants can come out better in the long run. If the peace is broken again, hopefully, the transgressors will remember what the last time hostilities broke out. Fadl loved peace.