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<span class="mu-i"> ''I have struck a bargain; we shall begin setting course to Alfand.'' </span> Well, first you would need to return to join up with the rest of the fleet, which is close enough, you suppose.
<span class="mu-i"> ''So the elves will revolt against the Svengalians? That would be a reversal of fortunes as far as Alfand is concerned.'' </span> Herr Baron Ewald von Glaubitz remarked. When you had joined up with the rest of the fleet, they had already been reinforced by the men you had Cousin Markwardt muster. A token force would be left behind to keep Ölfland under the thumb for the time being.
<span class="mu-i"> ''Artuileno hinted to as much, my good baron, though I wonder if they will be in open revolt by the time we arrive.'' </span> Dinner had been served, mostly cod, with a side dish of roasted vegetables and other seafood. Normally, you would have enjoyed a bit of fish; a good salmon fillet was just as delicious as any beef steak. But with spending so much time on islands and on the sea, you did yearn for some more inland recipes.
<span class="mu-i"> ''And you would believe him, your majesty? Elves can be awfully two-faced when it comes to dealing with outsiders. </span> Glaubitz remarked.
<span class="mu-i"> ''I doubt he is two-faced in this regard; after all, he had promised me a subsidy in both coin and provisions.'' </span>
<span class="mu-i"> ''And he shall be forthcoming with it? </span>
<span class="mu-i"> "Only one way to find out now, is there?" </span> You deadpanned.
All throughout the journey to Alfand, the more observant sailors noticed that up to a certain point, the fleet was being shadowed, not by the Svengalians, but by the Elves, who dropped the charade as Alfand came into sight. They swiftly pulled up to your flagship and handed you the first bag of silver and a key.
<span class="mu-i"> ''There is a warehouse in Nénudor; our king intends to load the agreed upon provisions there. I would make a direct bolt for the harbour if I were you. Though it is on the other side of the island from where you are approaching. Things have already begun breaking down, and if you land somewhere unannounced, it might lead to unnecessary conflict.'' </span> The Elven representative explained.
Already from a far distance you could see the massive, pale tower looming on the island; it is bigger than Ölfland, though no less flat in elevation, dotted with pine woods and shimmering lakes. The great Elven tower was your point of reference; sail to it, and you would reach the harbour.
