Casting the dice

[altria]

Al'tria stood in the center of a small hall decorated lightly with the trophies of various hunts in the sands and weapons of old tribal leaders from all of the 13 tribes. He looked around the room his sharp eyes piercing each of the 12 men stood before him each bring a single weapon at their sides and basic robes of their rank.
He nodded to the guards at the door, the two most trusted warriors to Al'tria both baring Hura blades, sacred magical blades given to only the best warriors. The guards turned and left the room closing the pair of heavy doors made from simple thin wood. Al'tria turned to his host of men and spoke in the common desert tongue "It is time, we need land as our populace is growing.....we need food".
Another man clan chief of the Huzami tribe spoke quickly "We need food but should we risk war with the elves or the humans of the plains? Both or much needed trade partners and can counter our small army....is food really worth the effort?" Noticing he had forgotten to address Al'tria his rank he swiftly added "My lord...".
Before another could speak Al'tria raised a hand and spoke "An alternative then, i will lead a small force, no more than 50 of our best warriors to meet with the elven leaders....maybe we can work an agreement to solve our food needs". Before any answer could be given Al'tria ordered messenger birds be sent and swiftly called in the guards......

Hours later he stood mounted on a Predatiar with 50 men all armed heavily with blades and spears his twin guards armed with Hura and all mounted on Predatiars. Al'tria looked to the sky and in the desert tongue spoke to his host "We ride for the elves nation of trees". He looked down raising the hood of his light coloured cloak and spoke in the common language "The dice is cast is seems...."

[altria]

It had been a while since they had departed for the elven forests and Al'tria lord of the 13th tribe was glad to be back in the desert city of Gur. He had left the elven worksmen to the comfort of the guest quarters and the elven captain had followed him to the court were he stood waiting to talk to the other tribe leaders flanked by his guardians.

While he waited for the leaders to settle he turned to the elven captain and in perfect elven said "Return to the guest quarters the is no reason for you to stand like a puppet". The elf nodded and left, Al'tria had spent the nights of his journey home learning the language of the elves and practising elven sword patterns and as the fast learner he mastered the language and along with learning the art of the elven sword play he learnt much of their recent history.

He looked up and addressed the council openly "I have made an agreement with the elves, we will get elven leaves to eat i have been assured they are of good quality". He paused while the tribesmen remained silent then he carried on "Also they have sent elven workers to help build boats to find fish in the pure land to eat" The tribe leaders nodded before one rose and spoke.
"Lord Al'tria, the humans of the plains are becoming restless, they are warring and we sent scouts". The tribes leader named Jurali paused as Al'tria grew restless at the thought of scouts being sent to the north. "We sent scouts and they saw a forest being burnt....surely we should take action to get wood before they burn more? It is only fair?"

Al'tria nodded and spoke "Muster 1000 warriors and 500 predatiar riders! I will lead them myself and sieze an area for wood before negotiating with the humans." He stood to leave and spoke again "Keep another 3000 warriors to spare and any the tribes wish to contribute in case i send a messenger back, if i do it means we are at war". With that he left....

[Alkartir Shadowblade]

A group of elven merchants had just arrived in the city, they where about ten in all, and lead a caravan of fifteen carts, drawn by horses, that carried goods, crates of leaves, and in some cases, portable gardens. One of the merchants lead his cart of crates up to the palace, there where about five in total, each one with enough leaves packed in to feed a thousand people. They where a little dried from the journey, but still good. Elven leaves took a long time to go bad. When he reached the door, he turned to the guard. "I bring goods your leader has requested, may I speak with him?"

[altria]

As altria made his way to the warriors assembling on the cities edge he ran into the merchants and was hastily brought into a convosation that he grudgingly alowd himself to take part in....

[Alkartir Shadowblade]

"We have brought you your food. These crates are free for you, a gift from our great Prince Alkartir, they should feed five thousand men for a day, and will not go bad for a month. We also ask two questions of you now, how often, and how much, do you want more leaves? They are twenty gold a crate for you (1,000 meals for 20 gold is a huge bargain). And also, may we sell our wares in your marketplace?" The Elven merchant spoke in a very official, diplomatic voice.

[altria]

Al'tria considered this and hastily replied "We could use 20 per week storing surplus and yes you may set up a market stall near the center of the city". He paused and then finished with "Any more questions?"

[Alkartir Shadowblade]

"Just one: Where do you want us to send the food?"

[altria]

"Send the food directly to the granaries located near the coast". With that he nodded and spoke "If you do not mind i have pressing matters to attend to" With that he swiftly made his way to the northern part of the city toward the gates.

[Alkartir Shadowblade]

The elf sent the food, then led the others to the marketplace. They set up stands, displaying their goods: elven leaves, potions, furniture, wooden trinkets, and some fancy elven made clothes, that where specially layered to keep away heat, the same clothes the merchants had chosen to wear. The mages who had brought gardens with them set about casting spells to refill stands with newly made goods. An elven messenger rode towards Tal'gathir.