Desperate times

Miri had the meeting in a tavern, located about three miles away from Avon. Only a few people showed up.

"Secure the area!" one of the Lenfel men bellowed as he came in. "I want this building queen-proof. There had better be a good reason for you to call us here, Miri. What is it."

Miri shrugged. "I don't know. Ask him."

I stepped over to the table. "Evening, gentlemen. I understand that you war leaders don't talk much."

The oldest leader slammed his spear into the ground. "Not at all. But let me guess. You and your Loreesi scum talk all the time."

I tensed. "Well, yes."

The captain-looking one drew his sword and stalked toward me. "You Loreesi!"

I jumped backward. "Whoa whoa whoa! Umm. . . We are all fugitives now -- outlaws in the eyes of the Queen! It's time we three nations start working together!" those words sounded familiar I glanced over to Miri. She had a grin plastered all over her face. Obviously, those words were familiar to her too.

He lowered his sword. "Humph. Speak."

I stepped back to the table. "Yes, uh, right. Let's cut to the point. We need to work together to stop the Queen's invasion. If we do, I think we have a good chance of winning."

The big Lenfel pointed his chicken leg at me. "We would have to be pretty desperate to have a Loreesi lead us."

Miri stepped up. "Ah, but he has experience with large-scale military strategy, something none of us have."

Big Burly's brother lowered his bottle. "Still, it has to look pretty hopeless to have a Loreesi help us."

Just then, the door flew open as a scout ran in. "Outlaws! Massing just to the east of us! We're caught between a hammer and an anvil!"

Mr. Chicken-Pointer shook his head. "What's your plan, Loreesi."

Done