The Council of Branches stood in a semicircle.
The light of the Great Tree softly reflected on their faces, giving the scene an almost solemn air.
Sova rose first:
— Thanks to the battle in the north, in Dorwood…
— And thanks to the battle in the south…
— The demons have been defeated.
Arlis added:
— Humans suffered losses, but not critical ones.
— The North held.
— The South was saved.
— We heard that your sister, Mira, played a decisive role.
Mira, of course, lifted her chin proudly:
— Well… I am the older one. Who else would save everyone?
The elves smiled.
Reim continued:
— The elves did not wage war—we did not enter direct combat.
— But we helped in every way we could: reconnaissance, illusions, hidden routes, supplies.
— And we will continue to do so.
White Wolf stepped forward:
— But now the question is different.
— The demons have retreated… but they have not disappeared.
— We are certain they are gathering an army again.
— In their homeland. Deep within the dark lands.
Gray Shadow finished:
— If we give them time… they will come again.
— And next time, no one will stand.
— Therefore… an offensive is inevitable.
⭐ A New Alliance
Sova unrolled a scroll covered in runes:
— We are already negotiating.
— With the White Wolf clan.
— With the Black Bear.
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— With the White Bear.
— With the Gray Wolf.
— With the centaurs.
— With the minotaurs.
— And even with the desert tribes.
— But, — he raised a finger, — the main question now is humans.
Arlis nodded:
— Humans may relax. Decide that the war is already won.
— That the demons are defeated.
— That it is time to return to trade, food, celebrations.
Lienna said quietly:
— But this is an illusion. If we do not strike first now… everything will repeat.
Reim summed it up:
— Therefore, negotiations are inevitable.
— They will take time: at least a month. At most two.
— And during that time we must gather our forces.
— Prepare.
— And be ready to march.
He looked at us:
— Mira.
— Zenhald.
— We hope that when the time comes…
— You will stand with us.
Mira and I exchanged glances—and nodded at the same time.
— We will come, — Mira answered confidently.
— If help is needed—call us.
I nodded as well:
— We won’t abandon you.
⭐ A Scandal No One Expected
And then…
Mira, of course, did exactly what the peaceful forest did not expect.
She stepped forward, raised her hand—as if about to declare a new alliance—and said loudly:
— And one more thing…
— You know that our Zen already has a future girlfriend?
Silence.
Dead.
And then—
BOOM.
A roar as if the tree itself had exploded.
— WHAT?!
— ZENHALD?!
— A GIRLFRIEND?!
— OUR SPARK?!
— UNBELIEVABLE!!
— IS IT TRUE?!
— ZEN, WHO IS SHE?!
— INVITE US TO THE WEDDING!!
— IS SHE WORTHY OF YOU?!
— HAS HE PROPOSED ALREADY?!
— HE’S BLUSHING!!
I blushed.
Badly.
— MIRA!! — I growled. — WHAT GIRLFRIEND?!
— She’s just a friend!!
Mira burst out laughing so hard that even Tyrel crouched from laughter.
— “Just a friend,” — she mocked.
— Yeah, yeah.
— He’s not even denying it! Elves, did you hear that?
— We’re happy for him, right?
— We are!! — the hall answered in chorus.
I covered my face with my hand.
Selia winked:
— Zen, don’t worry. We’ll be waiting for the invitation.
Arlis slapped me on the back:
— And don’t you dare run away! We have to see your bride!
Sova added philosophically:
— This will strengthen diplomatic ties.
I nearly died.
⭐ End of the Evening
After the noise finally subsided, we spent a long time with the elves:
— remembering the past,
— sharing news,
— laughing,
— listening as the children of the third generation sang songs dedicated to the “Children of the Founders.”
When it grew late, Mira and I headed home.
Mira walked ahead, smiling so widely it was obvious she was enjoying every second of my humiliation.
— So, little brother, — she said. — Nice evening, huh?
— Mira… — I growled. — I’ll strangle you.
— Try it, — she snorted. — Just make sure to invite us to the wedding first.
I let out a heavy breath.
But…
inside, it was warm.
Very warm.