Alutar: The Great Demon Read Free Page A

need every one of them to police the countries that they already hold. They are no longer a threat to the horse countries, and there will be no free men left alive west of the Barrier if you insist on fighting them. This Council of War no longer serves a purpose.”
    “So that is it?” snapped Prince Saratoma as he rose to his feet. The elven prince glared at the Koroccan prince and continued with a tone of anger, “The horse countries are no longer in danger, so the rest of us should just die or wither under the boot of the Federation? My people have already committed to this fight against the Federation. We have fled the Elfwoods. What are we supposed to do now? How are we to live in safety as those in the horse countries do?”
    Garth quickly rose to his feet to halt the arguing. He glanced pleadingly at King Wendal and asked, “May I have leave for a few minutes?”
    King Elengal gently placed his hand on his grandson’s arm and urged him to sit. The elven prince silently complied. King Wendal nodded to Garth and then nodded to Baron Stikman in a silent command to sit down. Garth turned and left the room. As soon as the door closed, soft conversations erupted around the table. Sensing a dangerous return to the bickering, Tedi took the opportunity to distract the attendees by telling them about the war in Alcea. The interest in the war was keen, and no one seemed to notice that over an hour had passed before the door opened again. Garth and Kalina entered, but they did not close the door or move to take seats at the table. Two Red Swords entered next and flanked the doorway. Baron Stikman’s eyebrow rose at the entry of foreign soldiers, but he soon understood their need. King Arik and Queen Tanya strode into the room, and Garth closed the door. All of the Alceans in the room rose and bowed low to the royal couple.
    “I apologize for my tardy arrival,” the Alcean king declared. “I understand that we have some problems regarding the war in Zara. I am here to pledge whatever support is necessary to see the Federation destroyed. Garth has informed me of the conversations so far, so I will not delay this meeting any further by asking that it be repeated.”
    The Alceans sat back down and King Arik approached the table. He turned and looked at Boric of Karamin.
    “Boric, you will have the extra men that you need,” declared the Alcean king. “I have already given the order to dispatch one thousand Alcean Rangers to Karamin. I consider them to be some of the world’s greatest warriors. The Alcean Rangers will be in your camp when you return home this night.” Turning his gaze to the rest of the assemblage, he continued, “Garth and I have also come up with a plan that will temper the problems in Vinafor and Tyronia. The details of the changes can be discussed later in smaller groups. What we need to discuss now is the attack on the countries east of the Barrier.”
    “With all due respect, King Arik,” Baron Stikman objected without rising to his feet, “I see no need for any such attacks. The Federation armies are not large enough to threaten us any longer. There are only 80,000 of them.”
    King Arik smiled thinly. He was ready for the baron’s objection.
    “Your information is woefully inadequate, Baron Stikman,” declared King Arik. “In the last month, Grand General Kyrga has increased the number of men under his command. Six new armies have already been formed. Three of those armies have been dispatched to Giza, Farmin, and Valdo. The other 30,000 men are still in Despair, and we do not know where they are meant to go, but that is irrelevant. We have in our grasp right this moment a chance to destroy the Federation once and for all. If we do not take that chance now, the Federation will reform and attack again. I will not let that happen.”
    “You won’t let that happen?” growled Baron Stikman. “I thought this was a Council of War. Are we all now under Alcean rule to do whatever it is you