[MysticTrunks01]

"So children...," he stood with his back popping, a slight wince of the eye at the pain of it, then the relaxed expression that comes from the relief of pressure in his spine leaving him.  He paced around the circle of kids, walking in front of and behind them, forcing their heads crane and twists as he spoke.  "Who here can guess why the Queen of Qeynos, apparently already knowing she had a fleet and soldiers that could fight waiting at sea, would have allied even temporarily with the Dark Elf Queen." They all looked serious for a moment.  Bitting their lips or some tapping a part of their face, like a cheek, chin, or forehead in the exagerated fashion young children do to make sure the adult knows they are indeed trying to think.  The hand of Jargo, a half elf boy who was sloppy looking.  His hair was cut with nothing more than his parents putting a bowl on top of his head and cutting around the edges.  He stammered a bit as he spoke. "'Cause sh.. she was a good guesser and.. and she .. umm.... Thought that maybe they would stay to help?  Cause... they are not all bad."  He looked to T'Rivala for confirmation that he was right instead of the story teller.  T'Rivala only rolled her eyes at him with that look that showed she clearly felt he was an idiot and once again had been completely wrong about something.  When her crimson eyes stopped rolling she spoke up, "No, [Removed for Content].  The Tier'Dal then were even less friendly than they are now."  She looked back up to the Tier'Dal who had paused behind and between the two of them with his arms clasped behind his back, his disheviled black robes fighting for space around his legs in the cool floral scented breeze.  "Papa, she did that because it is better to know where one of your enemies is at all time.  She could not chance that D'Lere would some how manage to get the Tier'Dal in on his side and ambush or out flank the Qeynosian army." He nodded approvingly as she continued, "It seems to me. That she..." Raising a hand he interrupted, "Actually.. the plan we speak of was General Givardi's he was a tactical genius in his day.  But continue.." Unfazed she continued with a nod of her royal violet hair, "General Givardi then.  It seems to me, that it was choice between knowing where your enemy is an expecting their betrayal to come and having them possibly take you out.  The Tier'Dal felt angered and slighted after their exodus from Freeport.  Even though Neriak would likely not have taken anyone that did not swear loyalty to Queen Cristanos.  Tier'Dal are proud.  To be rejected, let alone by a mere human would likely have them festering in their hate." "So it would be far easier for Qeynos to get them to aid that.  But they know the Tier'Dal well enough to understand the simple truth.  Neriak could serve itself by leaving at a tactically inopertune time and thus, the forces of both Qeynos and Freeport would be devistated in the battle, thus leaving the left overs for a clear victory by the Neriak forces.  However, knowing this, General Givardi sent ahead to gained the forces of the Dwarves, Elves and Fae of Faydwar to fill that gap after Neriak left.   Giving the Qeynosian side, a brand new fighting force that was not tired.  Thus, smashing the morale of the Freeporters while boosting that of Qeynos.  Along that line, it would also prevent the Tier'Dal from attacking after, knowing that the numbers would not favor them.  Likely making them continue their retreat home satisfied that Freeport and D'Lere would be usurped." "I have to say, T'Rivala.  I'm impressed, you came up with all that just by hearing my words?" She snorted and shook her head.  "No Papa, I already read this part in General Givardi's Tactics of War."  The story tellers face went flat, his long ears drooping slightly and in a rather deadpan monotone he said, "Remind me never to let you speak out of turn again..."