The Land Below our Feet COMPLETE

RESENTMENT

Ussi remained adamant in front of his troops and before the hostile mannered guards protecting Midland's gate. His masked face tilting to the side with a bit of irritation as he looked into the cold eyes of the man in charge and repeated himself slowly for the third time.

-We. need. to. speak. to. your. ruler…. Immediately! – The Yahurian uttered with a frosty tone inflected in his voice – Fail to comply, and you will soon carry the weight of this city’s fall on your shoulders.

-You know perfectly well that Yahuns are not welcome here – The large man covered in earthy symbols that were inked all over his skin responded – It is no secret to anyone how deeply King Savghor despises your kind. He would never grant an audience to any of you, much less when said one is presenting at our doors with a troop of ruffians.

-You are wasting our time. So, I am going to say this once more, then I will back my men off for good and let your demise meet you all - Ussi insisted, rolling his eyes tiredly at the stubborn man - This troop is only here to protect you. When the threat is here, and trust me... It will be very soon. You might be tempted to tell yourself that you were only doing your job and following orders, but nothing is going to change the fact that you would have been the primary cause of death for thousands of innocent people.

He paused, massaging his forehead, then giving him a last sharp look.

-Now, do yourself a favor. Take that blame off your back and get your ass to your ruler's palace. Tell him that I don't care how deeply he begrudges my kind. If he wishes to keep this city standing, then he will at least hear me out.

A brief sparkle of fear and uncertainty had crossed the guard's eyes and Ussi took this slight moment of wavering to relentlessly stare at him until he silently nodded and turned around.

Thirty minutes later, the Yahurian was reluctantly allowed to walk inside at last, on condition that he went alone and disarmed.

-Wait here – Ussiariah told Golendhar as he took every single one of his weapons off and handed them to him – I will be back soon.

The massive, stony man simply nodded at him and quietly stepped aside, holding the heavy arsenal.

-You have some nerve showing your masked face around here, Yahun! – The flabby, corpulent man sitting on a throne as wide as three seats put together muttered angrily, looking at him with displeasure – How dare you come to my kingdom after what your people did to my father?

Even when Ussi knew that Savghor was not much older than him, he couldn't help but notice how badly he had aged. Famously known for his gluttony since early infancy. It was clear that he had been indulging in his excesses heavily during the past few years.

-King Votlan died under the Yahurian forces because he threatened this land's peace and attacked Xoltun – The warrior replied, holding his sickly gaze – He was fully aware of what that entailed, and he still decided to invade…. My brothers and I were just fulfilling our fated purpose and I believe that, deep inside, you can tell this is the only truth.

-They had just killed my newborn brother! – The fleshy monarch protested, his saggy jowl trembling violently as a result of such a dramatic outburst.

Ussi crossed his arms over his chest with annoyance and gave him a piercing look paired with a reproving shake of his head.

-Now we are just clutching at straws, aren't we? – The Yahurian scoffed, titling his head towards him – That is only what you have been telling yourself to justify his actions. But you and I both know that was just the cheap excuse he gave everyone in order to validate his blatant raid.

-That is not true! – The flustered man exclaimed, sending spit droplets raining all around the place.

-Just think about it for a moment… – The warrior nodded at him studiedly – Everybody is aware of Xoltun´s practices. I am not the one to judge whether they are right or wrong. It is just how things are, and your father was no stranger to them either.

The Yahurian paused, allowing his words to permeate into the obstinate king's mind before continuing his reasoning.

-So… Why don't you look me in the eye and tell me how he did not go in there deliberately on equinox day, knowing that he would be welcomed by Queen Histya, and that his doing was very likely going to grant him a fifty percent chance of finally having a reason to attack what is undeniably one of the most strategic and coveted places around?

The warrior quickly noted the sudden circumspect demeanor taking hold of the pensive King, and smirked behind his mask… Aware that he had managed to break through his hardened shell.

-Tell me something... Have you ever wondered what would have happened if, instead of a brother, you'd had a sister? – Ussiariah pressed on ruthlessly, conscious that he could not give a single inch at that point.

The experienced strategist could sense the cracks starting to form all over Savghor´s walls, so all he had left to do now, was to keep on hammering.

– She would be living today as one of Histya´s archers… - He continued without pause - Do you think your father would have cared as much about her as he declared to care for this murdered male progeny, or even claimed parental rights over her at all? We both know better… Now quit wasting my time with your old, unfounded resentment and let us talk about the immediate danger that is coming your way.

-B-But you fought for them! – The defeated king mumbled sheepishly – You took their side, Yahun!

-Oh, really? Are we still sticking to that lie? – Ussi sighed, a bit jaded - That is preposterous, and you know it. We fight for peace and your father happened to be disturbing it. We simply followed our creed and defended them from that menace. Just as I am here to defend you this time, now that the tables have turned.

When the greasy, stubborn man was rendered speechless and thoughtful, Ussi made his last calculated move and turned around. Casually delivering his last statement.

-However, if you are still willing to deprive me of the right to fulfill my sacred oath over this old… animosity, then I have no other option than to retreat my troops and leave you to your own devices. We don't really need Midland's gate to survive in order to complete our strategy. If you are not taking our help, then I will just hold my men until the invaders are through with your city, and strike afterwards… I just thought that you and your people deserved a chance.

With that, he started deliberately walking away towards the doors. The labored monarch's voice calling out to him a moment later, just as he was reaching them.

-Wait! – He wheezed tortuously – Fine Yahun, you win! Tell me what we should be doing about these dreadful invaders then?

Ussi stopped his pacing, taking a moment to smile discreetly behind his metallic shield, before swiftly spinning on his heels and happily nodding at him.

-Sure! But first, why don't you let my army in and show them some of Midland's famous hospitality? It's been a long journey, as you should be aware – The Yahurian strongly suggested, clapping his hands once and leaning expectantly against a wall – Then I'll be glad to discuss business with you.