"Fates of Three"

{Author's Note: So much for posting on a two-a-week basis. It is certainly looking like two-a-year at this rate! Fear not, I will attempt to post more in the coming weeks/months, aiming for a post a week on this blog. I hope you enjoy this little part I put together.}

"Tell me, Saishi, which outcome you fear most," Urael whispered as the wind whipped across his aging, grey hair. His eyes were tired, the weariness of sending young men to their deaths at the time of war beginning to show. The finer features around his mouth still showed the signs of youth, but those lines were fighting a losing battle. Much like he was now.

It was more of a statement, but the leader of Sehi-Sarah understood the urgency of his tone. He nodded slowly, carefully choosing his words as his eyes scanned the valley. It was the designated meeting place, but Notan was late. He had suspected a trap for the entire journey here, and his tardiness did nothing to soothe his suspicions.

"I wish, only for peace," Saishi said stiffly as his eyes caught a glimpse of a small caravan that came into view over the side of the valley, "at whatever cost it may be." Urael simply nodded, but swallowed hard as his eyes matched his newest comrade.

The nations of Bedune, Sehi-Sarah and Delim-Tarlith had been at war for nearly 200 years. At odds was the territory near the Tower of Tristadune, where the borders of the three eastern provinces met. The Tower, ever neutral by the Mages themselves, kept a high guard near the warring nations. But Delim-Tarlith had threatened to destroy the other two nations within the last few decades, gaining massive power with their technological advancements. Urael, High Magistrate of Bedune, and Saishi, Lord of Sehi-Sarah, had banded together to fight against the power of the souther province. This is what had sparked this meeting.

Urael look down at the peace offering of a white flag with a red star clutched in his hand. It delivered by an ambassador from Delim-Tarlith a few days before with a message to meet at this place. There was a legend that this conflict had begun here. He hoped such a meeting would eventually lead to an end of all the bloodshed. He looked up as the caravan came to a stop. From the covered coach driven by half-mechanical horses, Notan seemingly materialized in front of them.

"Urael, Saishi," the leader of Delim-Tarlith nodded at each of them, an obvious smirk on his face, "you two are looking well."

"Notan, we have come here to begin negotiations of peace," Saishi said harshly his eyes not leaving the guards that surrounded the dictator. Notan raised a hand from behind his cloak and brushed a strand of black hair from his long face, shadows covering nearly half of his features. He laughed softly.

"I merely came to inform you of your impending defeat, friends," He whispered as well, his strong voice overcoming the wind-blown valley, "it will only be a matter of time. Your weak alliance will not save you or your pathetic nations." Notan turned and began to walk back to the caravan.

"You will not win, Notan," Urael finally spoke, "we will defeat you." Notan turned his head as he stepped into the caravan.

"And which Legend will you discover to aid you?" Notan sneered and disappeared into the shadows. The two men watched the caravan leave. Finally, the aging mage shook his head, turned, and began to walk down the small path to the portal.

"Where did you stray from the path, brother?" He wondered aloud as Saishi caught up to him, "where did you stray?"