“But what about the people of Alexandria?” I asked. “You're not going to let them die and leave the elves to face the Wastelands alone?”
“If Alexandria has failed in its duty, then the city should fall. I admire the elves' courage, but if they are foolish enough to do this—may they die well.”
“They need your help. You’re the only country close enough and strong enough to help them.” I wanted to throw my hands up in frustration, but restrained myself.
The dwarf shrugged as he reached for his mug. He took a sip and wiped the ale from his black beard. His calmness frustrated me more than the other dwarf’s anger.
“Premier and his creatures will run rampant across all of Northern Shala if you don’t help them,” I said.
Another dwarf said, “They won’t breach our defenses.” Many of the dwarves nodded in agreement. Even the female dwarf who had first spoken up looked thoughtful.
I looked around the table. I needed something more to convince them. “Alexandria would pay you whatever you ask. They’d owe you for saving their kingdom. Whatever you want, Alexandria would give you.”
The older dwarf I had been arguing with raised an eyebrow. “Are you an ambassador for Alexandria, that you could promise such things?”
I wasn’t, but hoped the princess would understand. “No, but I—”
“Then why are you promising them? Hmmm?”
“You're forgetting the treaty, Om,” Jastillian said, interrupting me before I could respond. Thank the gods. “We're pledged to help Alexandria against the Wastelands if they need us.”
“I know the treaty you speak of. It requires our help if they request aid. No such envoy has come. While I appreciate Wizard Hellsfire’s desire to shower us with the riches of Alexandria, he wasn’t sent here in an official capacity.” He put his hand up before others could respond. “This sounds more like internal strife with Premier. We shouldn’t get involved in Alexandria’s politics.”
“You don't honestly believe that?” Artesia asked.
“It doesn't matter what I believe. That's what it is.”
Before Artesia or Jastillian could respond, the dwarf who had stared at me throughout dinner said, “What about Premier?”
Jastillian's body tensed, and he pushed his shoulders back to make himself look bigger. “What about him, Gort?”
Gort gave Jastillian an intense look. “How are we to deal with Premier? Whether he already holds the city or not is not the point. We need a wizard of our own to beat him.”
“Weren't you paying attention? We already have one.” Jastillian nodded in my direction. “Hellsfire already went up against Premier and lived. He's going to do it again.”
Gort snorted. “He's young, and you still embellish your stories. Sounds like he got lucky to me.”
I almost rose, but Jastillian beat me to it. “Are you questioning the lad's bravery, skill, and honor?” He slammed his hand on the table.
Gort stood up too.
“Boys, I will not have you arguing here,” Lenora said. Gort and Jastillian slowly sat back down, still glaring at one another. Lenora turned to me and said, “Hellsfire, I need to know if you can defeat Premier.”
All the dwarves' eyes turned towards me. I grew hot under my collar from their intense scrutiny. I stared at my empty plate, remembering the spells I had cast at Premier. They were quick and easy spells, true, but they meant nothing to him. He was a fully trained wizard who had managed to insinuate himself into the court of a king who hated wizards, and had influenced the king’s mind to such an extent that he had become the true ruler. If I hadn’t gotten lucky and caught him off guard with the door, he probably could have crushed me to a pulp.
Now wasn’t the time to tell the dwarves that. I couldn’t be honest with them the way I could with King Sharald or Princess Krystal. They wouldn’t respect that. They’d think me weak. I had everything to lose by being honest. So I tried something I wasn’t good at—I lied.
I took a deep breath and looked into Lenora's eyes. “I can and I will.” I had to face Premier again and destroy him. Not for my own sake, but for Krystal’s. However, many of the dwarves didn’t look convinced.
“We’ve heard the arguments,” Lenora said. “I believe it’s time to put this to a proper vote. Whether we choose to help Alexandria or not, we must prepare for battle. I prefer to take the offensive and attack Premier rather than be trapped in these mountains when he comes for us.” She met each dwarf’s eyes, her gaze settling longer on Om. “And he will come for us. All in favor of marching to the aid of Alexandria, raise your hand and say, 'Aye.'”