There seems to be more commotion now, it seems that the person who we are waiting is coming. The one that I gave my lighter to had given it back to me and had gone back, to stand at the very end of the table. The doors behind them open and I can see someone enter, every elf bows down and in doing so, I could get a better view of that figure. They are absolutely stunning, their beauty is unmatched, tall and royal. Their gown finely decorated and it's color resembling that of a glacier. They wear a crown of white leaves, their striking blue eyes could stare right into your soul and you would not care. They carry themselves with pride and confidence, a true leader and perfectly fit to be their queen which I am assuming she is. She takes a seat at the end and soon the covered one finally reveals herself. They resemble the queen, maybe her daughter and now that I remember so does the first one we met. Maybe they are the queens children, it would explain a lot of things. I am guessing this society is led by a female monarch. As the queen start to speak something all we can do is just stare at her like a bunch of dumbfounded cows. After a short moment she seems to realize we don't understand a word she had spoken and lets out a sigh. I can see that a lot of her people seem to be annoyed and quite offended by our actions. Soon that hostility is broken up when a short man comes in, presumably a dwarf, panting. He seems quite old and wise, but also, looks can be often times deceiving. The queen presses her hand against her face, she doesn't seem all that thrilled about all of this. Even annoyed. They started all arguing amongst each other, especially at the dwarf who just seemed not to care. 

Ernest: These people are like a highly dysfunctional royal family, constantly bickering and arguing. 

Soldier: Hell, my brothers and sisters argued less and we hated each other.

The dwarf snapped his head and stared at us wide eyed. And slowly walked over to us, ignoring the angry voices of the elves. He stopped right in front of me and the soldier next to me.

Dwarf: Tell me boyo, how do you know this language?

Soldier: It is how we speak, how can you understand us and why can't they?

Dwarf: What in the world do you mean it is your normal speak? Don't lie to me boyo, otherwise I will give you a good beating. That language had not been used for about eight centuries and you don't look eight centuries old.

Ernest: Might I? We have been told by a another gentleman that the way we speak had been considered ancient. But it is true that this is our mother tongue.

Dwarf: What is the name of that gentleman?

Ernest: As far as I remember, it is something strange. Brulk? Bralk? 

Dwarf: Broolk? 

Ernest: Yes, that is the name. Broolk. 

Dwarf: What country do you hail from? That coat of arms is strange. I studied the history to the fullest and I had never seen that coat of arms ever. 

Ernest: We are from the country called Terra. And we are a unit sent out by that country to explore the world, since we have been cut off from it for almost a millennia. 

Dwarf: What nonsense do you speak of? And did you say a unit? What do you mean by that? Is that unit only built out of the thirty of ya?

Ernest: Well, no, there are more waiting for us, docked at some ruined city. 

But as the dwarf is about to ask another thing he is interrupted by a loud voice coming from the queen. She looks angry, yet there is still a resolve and a dignified way of carrying that anger. He goes over back to her and they seem to talk for quite some time. Constantly glancing at us or pointing at us. By this time we are all famished so we simply decide to dig in, it would be a shame to let this food wait longer. The dishes seem to be mostly plant based with some fish and meat sprinkled here and there. The drink however seems to be a rather nice and pleasing green color. The elves are stunned by our action, unsure what to say but we ignore them, we enjoy the rather bland and unseasoned food before us. But it is food nevertheless and when you are hungry even the most bland can taste divine. I pull out a bag of salt that I carry with me and pass it along with my men to season it, to at least give it more flavor. At least the drink is nice, sweet and soothing to the stomach, could become really popular in Terra. We are rather quickly done and then there is a long silence. Servants, warriors, the queen and her young stare at us, dumbfounded at our brashness and rudeness. But it is quickly broken up by the laughter of the dwarf, he seems to be enjoying everyone's reaction. Followed quickly by a deep distant rumble that catches everyone's attention. That rumble is known to us, so I quickly make a dash for my coat, grabbing a flare and a flare gun and running for the doorway that we came from. I remember seeing stairs leading up into an open area. I pass by many soldiers, at the same time chased by the queens guards. I load the flare and get ready. I have no idea what our planes are doing here, we didn't have any planes with us. Either someone else has them or we were reinforced in these past four days by an aircraft carrier. 

I walk onto a balcony, behind me I can see them running after me, getting closer. Underneath us there is a panic in the city, probably scared by the source of the noise. I aim up and fire. Soldiers stop as a bright red ball launches up into the sky, illuminating the area beneath it. I can see that it is a Sea Hurricane as it flies somewhat close to the city before turning around and heading back. I am quickly surrounded by the soldiers, all pointing their blades at me. But the dwarf comes in, panting like he had just run a marathon yelling at them some command that causes them to lower their weapon. 

Dwarf: What in the world made you do that stupid decision?!

Ernest: I would advise these elves that they should be expecting a whole lot more of us coming. I just signaled to our forces that we are alive and where we are. 

Dwarf: What?! Do you plan on fighting all of us?

Ernest: But of course not. I am a high ranking officer and for some reason we have been reinforced and they were probably searching for us. I had to show them that we are alive. 

Dwarf: Oh the queen definitely won't like this. Not one bit. You will explain everything to her thanks to my translations. You understand?

Ernest: Lead the way.

He scuffs before we head back to the dinning room where the atmosphere is tense. With the dwarf acting as a translator I explain everything to the highly annoyed and frustrated queen. While she does relax even for a little her peoples reactions does darken when they hear that more of us will be arriving shortly. As a thanks for the explanation we are imprisoned and forced to spend two nights in a cell, only fed the most tasteless grool. But one the morning of the third day a horn is sounded through the city and I hear the unmistakable sounds of plane engines roaring above us and shortly we are escorted out of our cells and led back to the gate where I see a familiar coat of arms and an even more familiar face. Sebastian Sutton, captain of TRNB Nelson and behind him a lot of our soldiers. I grin and he grins back.

Sebastian: Quite a predicament you found yourself in Ernest. What did you do to be imprisoned?

Ernest: What are you doing here? We didn't have carriers with us when we left.

Sebastian: Well, you see, the Sirens did leave out one crucial detail out. There was a civil war here, between the humans and the dwarves and elves. 

Ernest: That would explain the reactions of the locals.

Sebastian: We were sent here to reinforce you, my ship and Ark Royal and Eagle with the escort of the TRNR Vladivostok paving a way our path. Of course, a couple E class light cruisers as escorts. 

Ernest: Well, that certainly is a lot of firepower sent out. 

Sebastian: Also, I have heard about your, Fontala situation. I must say, go on my old pal. 

Ernest: Why can't they just keep their mouths shut.

Sebastian: Well, do you need rescuing?  

Ernest: Well not exactly, I don't appear to be in danger, but I don't really know what to do. The queen isn't exactly pleased.

The dwarf breaks through the crowd and steps forward,

Dwarf: What in the world do you think you are doing? Do you want another war?

Sebastian: And who is still short man?

Ernest: I have no clue what his name but he is trusted.

Dhufurim: I am a dwarf and my name is Dhufurim Runerock. You better watch your tongue young man. 

Sebastian: Well, Sir Dhufurim, tell the queen here that she is to release all of our men and we will leave shortly. 

Dhufurim: And why would she do that? 

Sebastian: I doubt that she would want a war against something she can't win. I wouldn't want to destroy this rather beautiful place. If she wishes, we can have a talk on our ships on equal grounds. 

Dhufurim: Young man, do you know who you are threatening? 

Sebastian sighs and I know what he is going to do next. He is a man that believes if someone doesn't respect your strength then show them that they probably should. He pulls out his Webley and aims at one of the elven soldiers. 

Ernest: Dhufurim, I would advise for you to get the queen and stop acting stupid. 

Dhufurim: What? You little bastar...

Sebastian fires his a shot that echoes throughout the air and against the stones. A long silence follows as the lifeless body of the elf falls onto the ground and Sebastian slowly looks down at the dwarf before smiling. Dhufurim doesn't say anything and instead heads back and gets on a small goat like animals and heads towards the central area. 

Sebastian: Oh yeah, I have also been informed by the doctor that Fontala is pregnant. 

Ernest: WHAT?!

Sebastian: Congratulations, you are going to be a father. She is waiting patiently on board the Howe, waiting just for you. I must say, she might be a good wife for you. 

Ernest: Just shut up, please. I am going to have to deal with so much press and news writers. 

After a short period of waiting the queen comes, stepping off of her large eagle. She doesn't seem pleased. Behind her is her daughter and son.

Sebastian: Have you told everything to her dwarf?

Dhufurim: Yes I have. And whilst she won't be coming, her daughter will. 

Sebastian: Very well, is there any way of communication between the two that could be kept?

Dhufurim: Through magic they can. 

Sebastian: Good. I must admit, the more I hear about this magic the more I am fascinated.

Dhufurim seems confused by Sebastian's words.

Ernest: If you haven't noticed, we don't have the capability of magic. 

That shocks him even more. But nevertheless we are soon given back our gear and head back with the Princess whose name is Ysildea. Her safety had been fully entrusted with us and a lot of trust had been given to us. The queen from how much I gathered seems to be old, like really old and with that quite wise. Either she saw that we didn't mean any harm or that we posses to big of a danger to simply attack mindlessly. Either way, we might be on a decent path with this, maybe we could establish some kind of relation or a pact, we will see. Time will tell and as of late, time is unpredictable.