dragmiire:
already did he bring up the subject of WAR? his gaze snapped up and tight to shell’s, for he had seen his soft heart. while he did not know how deep such unwarranted humanity ran, caution was required here. whilst he knew pain overlord to be a man not shy of the terms of conquest, he knew even less of what his son may desire.
or what his son may try to prevent.
‘ i made no such implications, and i ask that you do not read so deeply into my words that you derive falsehoods from them. the land of the gerudo remains the land of MAN, and here, the vampires may find us hospitable hosts. it is this definition alone that i express – i spoke nothing of conquest. ‘ but shell was not wrong for reading his desires. ‘ a sharing of resources, knowledge, a power in uniting – if your kingdom requires protection, we shall heed the call, and serve as your brothers in arms, and if our own need the same, i expect the favor returned. we lay ignorant to the happenings of the north, and you, our allies from the frozen north, shall aid us as our eyes where we are blind. ‘
inwardly cursing his quick assumptions, Shell calmly moved a hand to take his glass of blood, swirling the dark liquid around in the clear cylinder in contemplative quiet. he could not let his concern take hold of him and push him to act or speak rashly. to jump to conclusions could ruin anything before it even began.
❛ I meant no disrespect. it is just you are not the first to seek alliance with us; many have come desiring our power, to know what secrets we hide in the dark and frozen north. we were sought for many reasons and ambitions -- war being chief among them. we’re not averse to conflict ... but we are cautious about it. ❜
it was very unlikely that the vampire kingdom would ever require outside assistance for protection. surrounded by icy mountains and vicious snowstorms to the south, and a half-frozen ocean in the north ... only suicidal fools would try to invade it. its only threat came from the inside, such as a revolt ... but even that would accomplish little. after all, vampires were near-indestructible in combat. the more blood they spilled, the stronger they became -- feasting on the fallen while tearing apart those that remained standing. it was obvious why anyone would want them on their side ... but unlike most of his kin, Shell wanted nothing but peace.
❛ what, then, can you offer us that cannot be gained by our own means ? ❜ his question was genuine and curious, rather than mocking or degrading to the king or his people. much as he desired an alliance, it was the prince’s responsibility to ensure it would be of equal benefit to the vampires as it was to the Gerudo. his father would insist upon it ... and it was to his father Shell would have to report.












