After Clodius was treated for his wounds, he and Ruth sought to meet with the Benelim. Godshards and legionnaires trailed behind them. A small delegation was walking from inside the city, heralded by a great big banner, white with a golden branch upon it. Ruth could see who this was, King Christoros and his entourage.

  In the middle of the bloody field, the two parties met.

  King Christoros had seen better days. He was wounded, a great burn covered his shoulder and chest. It would seem no party was unscathed today. The two sides just stared at each other, no one knew what to say. The humans were cautious and on edge, and the Benelim simply looked speechless and amazed.

  Their micro expressions were mesmerizing to Ruth. They were a strange mix of apprehension and fascination. All of them knew the weight of this occasion, and were afraid. Both sides were used to the current state of affairs. A tense strained relationship that had become oddly comforting. It was familiar. Now here they were, at the cusp of the unknown.

  Perhaps Ruth was meant to be here for this reason alone. She was the one who ultimately made this happen, it was perhaps appropriate for her to shepard both races to a new era.

  Ruth strode forward and bowed in the Benelim custom. Ruth puffed herself up before signing. “Hail King Christoros. I am Ruth, Leader of the Godshards.” King Christoros tilted his head. Ruth gestured to Clodius before continuing. “This is Clodius Decimus, Consul of War of the Republic of Primus.”

  King Christoros raised his hands, speaking orally at the same time. “Our races haven’t spoken in centuries, and we sent you no call for aid. Why should we? We didn’t think much of humans. Godless heathens, incapable of armies, of strong leaders and courageous heroes. And now, like prodigal sons, they have come to our kingdom, proving everything we thought wrong.” King Christoros' glowing eyes flickered. “Why did you save us? You had every reason not to.”

  Ruth smiled before signing. “Long ago, our races were like siblings. There was a time when the Benelim would help the human realms. Save them from peril. In the spirit of togetherness, compassion and that ancient alliance of old, we’ve come.”

  “And we are forever grateful.” As one the Benelim bowed at the human’s feet, the humans were taken aback, clearly expecting the same arrogance they were used to. Yet in the wake of such a display, no side needed words. King Christoros was unreadable as he pointed at Ruth before signing. “I must know, why have you done this? What is my kingdom to you? Why do you care so much?”

  Ruth shrugged bashfully, she’s heard this question so many times. “I am a woman of both worlds.” Ruth made sure her signs were bold and confident. “Benelim and humans have raised me, and I have seen goodness in both. I heard the Golden Wood was under attack and wished to save it. It’s as much a home to me as the Cradlelands. Times have changed, our peoples might do things differently now, but that does not mean we cannot work together. Perhaps the alliance could be what it once was? Perhaps a Benelim summer can come again?” Ruth finished her sign by outstretching her hand.

  King Christoros’ eyebrow raised, and he turned to Clodius. He was courteous to still sign so Ruth could understand. “Is she always this audacious?”

  Clodius shrugged, and to the surprise of King Christoros signed back as well. “It’s one of her best qualities. You’d be wise to trust her, Your Majesty. She’s proven her virtue and wisdom time and time again.”

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Ruth smiled warmly to that, and the grin widened when King Christoros shook her hand. People on both sides cheered.

  “I just have one more thing, Your Majesty,” signed Ruth, her confident demeanor faltering. “Have you seen my mother?”

  ………………………….

  Ruth fluttered over the battlement, never had she expected something as narrow as a wall to be so extensive. King Christoros told her that any Benelim refugees who were able to wield a sword or bow were assigned to fight on the wall.

  The problem was his Majesty didn’t know where. It made dreadful sense, but it was most unfortunate. So it was the past half an hour Ruth had been scanning the wall. There were pitifully few survivors, and for every living Benelim, Ruth saw two or three dead. It was an awful sight. Not to mention if Mother was dead, there’s no quick way to tell. Ruth could feel her body trembling, and it nearly caused her to fall back to the ground.

  She had to steel herself, it was the only way to maintain concentration. She had to stay calm. She approached the siege tower. It was such a cyclopean construction, Ruth was almost impressed with its design. It was half burned, many of the armored plates had fallen off like a snake molting its scales. Maelim corpses littered the thing, and blackened blood stained much of the wood.

  A score of Benelim were trying to pry the engine off the wall, but the spikes on its drawbridge dug deep into the wood. Perhaps Ruth could lend a hand, but family comes first. She didn’t see Mother around the tower, but her foresight told her she was getting closer. By the Gods, was this where she was fighting? Ruth felt a shiver go down her spine, there were even fewer left alive here than anywhere else on the wall. Ruth closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

  She scanned around the bastion, and at long last, a familiar soulfire flickered to her.

  Ruth fluttered to it with blazing speed, landing softly on the wooden wall. She gasped in shock. Never had Ruth seen Mother look so bad. One of her antlers was gone, and so was one of her hands. Her fur was dark with blood. A bandage was crudely pressed against a great open wound by her remaining hand. She had propped herself against the wall.

  Much to Ruth’s relief, however, she was still alive.

  Her soulfire had never looked so weak, and her breathing was shallow, but she still lived. Mother’s eyes lifted up from the ground, and they widened when they came upon Ruth closing in. Ruth curtly signed a spell, placing her hand against Mother’s wound, cauterizing it. Mother squirmed and shifted uncomfortably, but Ruth calmed her with a gentle press of her other hand.

  Ruth picked up Mother’s severed stub where her hand used to be and cauterized it as well. Mother let out an exhale as she relaxed, leaning against the battlement. The two shared a gaze, and they needed no words. The micro expressions said everything. Mother was elated, Ruth had come back to her, and she brought the humans with her. She was so proud of Ruth and all she’d done.

  “Can you stand?” signed Ruth.

  Mother slowly staggered to her feet. She nodded.

  But Ruth wasn’t done yet. She cradled Mother in her arms, and to her surprise, Ruth fluttered into the air once more. Mother found herself squirming again, but a comforting glance from Ruth mollified her fear. It helped that the flight was quick. Ruth gracefully laid Mother back on the ground. While she could walk, she was limping terribly. Ruth was fine with her leaning on her though, and they slowly approached camp.

  Ruth spotted Clodius, and she waved to him. Ruth could tell Mother was nervous, especially when Clodius tilted his head upon seeing them.

  Ruth gave a small grin as Clodius caught up to them. “This is Mother,” signed Ruth.

  Clodius blinked. Ruth didn’t know if Clodius had ever seen an Animite before. A long terrible second passed itself by. Then, to the surprise of Mother, Clodius smiled politely as he signed back. “Greetings, friend. So, you’re the one we all have to thank.” Mother tilted her head in confusion. “You were the one who adopted her, right? You saved her?” Mother nodded. “You were the first person who saw potential in her, even when both of our peoples didn’t. It’s an honor to meet you, someone so wise and caring.” Clodius took off his helmet and bowed.

  Ruth's grin widened at the sight, and even more so as Mother's eyes were tearing up, and a small smile lit up her face, too.