Page 8 of The War of Four Winters

"While Michail's zealots butcher every elf between here and the coast?" Taelyn's voice cut through the murmurs of agreement. “There are reports of villages in the north being burned, whole populations slaughtered as far north as the Wolfheart border. My people—”

“Chose to fight for Taratheil,” Northfire pointed out with disdain. “They are not our allies. I say, let the humans do our work for us. Let them decimate the north and Taratheil’s allies while we fight here in the south. We’ll destroy them when we meet in the middle. Why should we care what happens to loyalists?”

“Because they’re our people,” Ruith said, standing. “They are still elves. I did not choose to become king only of the south, or only the king of those who supported me. I am the king, every elf’s king. I swore to protect and serve my people. All my people, regardless of who they fight for during the civil war.”

The council chamber fell silent at Ruith's words. I watched the candlelight play across his features, catching in his dark braids, illuminating the fierce conviction in his eyes. In moments like this, I could almost forget the calculated manipulator who had once kept me collared and chained. Almost.

"Noble sentiments," Northfire sneered, "but fine intentions won't stop Michail's zealots or Vinolia's battle mages."

"Perhaps that's exactly what we need," Taelyn said, her storm gray eyes finding mine. "Words. The right words, from the right person."

I understood her meaning immediately. My fingers brushed the hollow of my throat where the collar had once rested. "You want me to go to Homeshore. To negotiate."

The thought was both terrifying and strangely inevitable. This confrontation with Michail had been coming since the day my collar was removed.

"You're human," she continued. "You worship their gods. And more importantly, you're living proof that coexistence is possible." Her gaze flickered to where my hand rested near Ruith's on the table. "That things can change."

"You suggest we negotiate with those who burn our villages?" Victorin's tone dripped with contempt.

"I suggest we show Michail's men that they've been lied to," I countered, the idea taking root. "They follow him because they believe all elves are monsters who deserve destruction. But I'm living proof that's not true." I turned to Ruith. "They see a human consort at your right hand, a former slave raised to power... it challenges everything Michail has told them."

"And what of Michail himself?" Hawk asked from behind my chair. "He's not likely to be swayed by pretty speeches about cooperation."

"This isn't about Michail," I said. "It's about his men. His supporters. They follow him because they believe his cause is righteous, that the elves are evil and must be destroyed." My voice hardened. "But what happens when they see that the very changes they claim to fight for are already happening here? That Ruith has outlawed slavery, that humans serve in his army as equals?"

"Seeds of doubt," Aryn murmured. "Planted in fertile soil."

"Exactly." I stood, letting my voice carry to every corner of the chamber. "Michail claims to fight for human liberation, for vengeance against elven oppression. But I'm standing here, free, powerful, respected. Everything he claims to want for our people, I already have." I met Ruith's dark eyes. "Because of you. Because you were willing to change, to see us as equals."

The council chamber buzzed with murmured conversations. I could see the idea taking hold, spreading like ripples in a pond.

"It would need to be handled carefully," Ruith said finally. "Full escort, proper protocols. We can't risk them thinking it's a trap."

Niro straightened behind Ruith's chair. "My men and I would be honored to accompany the consort on this mission. You can have a quarter of my regiment."

"Captain Yisra's ship could get us there in three days," I said. "Far better than trying to cross the mountains in this weather."

"A sound strategy," Victorin agreed. "The mountain passes would be treacherous this time of year."

"And if Michail simply decides to kill you?" Northfire demanded. "What then?"

"He won't." I smiled, though there was no warmth in it. "He'll want to convince me I'm wrong. Want to show me how misguided my faith in Ruith is, how foolish I am to believe in change." My voice hardened. "His pride won't let him pass up the chance to try breaking me again."

Ruith's fingers found mine beneath the table, squeezing hard enough to hurt. "And when he fails?"

"When he fails, his men will see it. See that everything he's told them about elven cruelty, about the impossibility of peace... it's all lies." I swept my gaze across the council. "They're not all zealots. Many of them are just scared, angry people who've been fed a steady diet of hatred. Show them another way is possible..."

"And they might start questioning other things Michail has told them," Taelyn finished. "About the righteousness of their cause. About the necessity of war."

"It's worth trying," I said softly. "Better than just killing each other until there's no one left to make peace with."

The Empress of Bones rose, her bone headdress clinking. "The old ways change or they die. This is the way of all things." Her cloudy eyes fixed on me. "Go, young prince. Do what must be done."

"Very well," Ruith said. His voice carried the weight of command now, though his grip on my hand never loosened. "You go under the banner of truce, but at the first sign of true threat..." His eyes hardened. "You retreat. Immediately."

"And if he refuses to listen?" Victorin asked. "If this is just a waste of time?"

"Then we'll know we tried," I said. "That we offered peace before war. That everything that follows is on his head, not ours."

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