Colonization

Fragile Alliance

Tarian drew his finger along the table and tapped against the document. "Fitik, you know Caleb. Do you suppose he forged this to implicate you or your kin?"

The dwarf's scowl deepened as he glared at Variel. He ran his tongue across his lips before downing his mug. Fitik's fingers clenched the tankard until it cracked in his grip. He looked between them. "No. Caleb is no liar, and neither am I. That mark disgraces us both."

Variel pointed at the incriminating paper. "Then explain your signature!"

Fitik leapt to his feet and banged his fists on the table, cracking the wooden slab. Armed men rushed into the small hall, weapons bared. Tarian raised his hand, stopping them in their tracks. He kept his attention on Fitik as he addressed them. "We're fine. Return to your posts."

"Are you sure?" Keldon asked as he lowered his rifle.

"Leave us, Kel!" When the door closed, Tarian lifted the sheet of paper and rounded the cracked table. "Fitik, can you agree this raises questions?"

"It's as suspicious as Variel possessing the antidote to that creature!"

"We created the remedy after finding the beast." Variel's hand drifted to Tarian. "The tonic saved Keldon's life, not to mention yours, Fitik. Though that coincidence isn't as curious as the missive holding your signature!"

"That's not my mark!" Fitik slammed his fist onto the table.

Variel leaned forward, his voice cold as ice. "Are you suggesting we forged your scrawl? Or are you claiming the shadows etched your name?"

Fitik's knuckles whitened as his gaze burned holes into the elf.

Tarian gripped the dwarf's shoulder. "We can talk this out."

"No!" Fitik howled. "I'll not stand here and let my honor be tarnished."

With a haughty scoff, Variel looked down his nose. "You have nothing for me to denigrate."

"How dare you!" Fitik pulled a dagger from his belt and slammed its blade into the cracked table. "I demand satisfaction."

"Stop! We can't afford this!" Tarian jostled Fitik as he glanced at Variel, his eyes pleading. "Please don't provoke him."

Variel lifted a finger. "The dwarf does the same, implying that I forged his signature to that paper."

"Fitik did no such thing," Tarian said, quivering as he restrained the enraged warrior.

Variel inclined his head as he tapped the note's edge. "Are you suggesting our enemies produced this?"

Tarian bit his lower lip as his eyes flicked between the leaders.

In the delay, Fitik shoved Tarian away. "You're siding with the worthless elf?"

Variel crossed his arms as his lips curled into a smirk. "Of course he is."

"No," Tarian said, rubbing his chin and steadying himself on the table. "I don't believe Fitik would sign something this inflammatory."

"You brought me here!"

"We need to talk about this and everything it implies. It's also important that we discuss the implications Fitik mentioned. Your kin developed the antidote to the creature's toxin with extraordinary speed." With a tentative step, Tarian strode back towards his seat, waving the document over his head. He collapsed into his chair as he laid it down. "Before you object, I'm not dismissing the suspiciousness of finding Fitik's mark on something detailing an assault."

Variel turned away from the leaders. "I won't sit here and listen to either of you accuse me of treachery."

"Please, I don't believe you'd betray us. Variel, don't abandon this alliance now."

The elf jabbed the letter to the table, and leaned closer, whispering, "When these creatures return to sack you, you won't have our blades."

Tarian spun and grabbed the elf's shoulders. "You can't leave—"

"Goodbye, Tarian," Variel said, slipping out of his counterpart's grasp. Without another word, he departed, slamming the door in his wake.

Tarian turned toward Fitik, but the dwarf was already marching to the exit. When he reached it, he paused and stared at the knob. "I don't enjoy agreeing with Variel, but my kin will not stand with anyone who doesn't trust us."

"Those weren't my words!"

"You brought me here to accuse me of collaborating with those monsters."

"That isn't what happened. We must face what has transpired, including the forged mark." Tarian crushed the document. He staggered to the door and gripped the dwarf's arm. "Between the antidote the elves provided, this signature, and dozens of other examples, something strange is happening."

"Genuine friends wouldn't have accused me of anything." Fitik tore the crumpled paper from Tarian's grasp. The dwarf shoved it in front of his face, before tossing the note across the room. "And they would not attempt to embarrass me before fickle allies, like the elves."

"Please don't do this!" Tarian gripped Fitik's shirt and tugged it.

"Goodbye." Fitik brushed Tarian's shoulder but as his fingers touched the knob, his gaze drifted to the dejected leader. "It's unwise to search for my kin. It is beyond even Caleb's skill."

"This alliance cannot crumble."

"It has already turned to dust," Fitik said, opening the door, "the moment you accused me of betrayal."

Keldon slipped inside, taking in his friend. "I caught the end of that. Do you want to talk?"

"I splintered this coalition, Kel." Tarian's fingers curled into a fist as he punched the wall. "It's my fault that the foundations cracked."

"That isn't your note." Keldon pointed at the crumbled-up piece of paper before jostling his friend's side. "You also didn't produce the disease that almost killed me, nor its cure."

"The elves did not create the toxin that tormented us." Tarian gripped his neck as a sigh escaped his lips. "Neither did the dwarves plan to betray anyone."

"They've wanted to bicker, and this provided their excuse." Keldon walked to the table to stare at the crack. "You did what you had to do."

"It's hard not to see the broken table as a sign of what's coming." Tarian slumped to the floor. "The monsters who nearly destroyed us are still looming."

Keldon patted his friend's shoulder as he joined him. "We'll survive."