Already in My Snare

"Sir Roderick, why give them such a massive amount of supplies? We consume a great deal here as well. If those elves still refuse to join the war, won't our investment be completely wasted?"

Mataus did not approve of Roderick's generous donation of supplies. Those ungrateful pointy-ears would be better off staying in the mountains and forests with their pride forever.

Neither Rohan nor Leopold spoke, but their silence itself represented an attitude.

Roderick's position within the Scarlet Crusade was rather delicate. He was not a senior Scarlet Crusade officer himself, relying only on Abbendis's full support and the tremendous prestige he had accumulated in previous battles to gain some say in matters.

If not for Abbendis's sake, the others might not have indulged him this time, even though Roderick had been appointed to handle these negotiations.

It was still more comfortable working within his own warband. Roderick had no desire to fall out with these core Scarlet Crusade commanders, so he could only explain.

He asked with a smile, "This group of rangers receives no support at all from Silvermoon City. How long can they hold out in the mountains?"

"Even counting the food we provide, along with what they can obtain by hunting, they can last no more than a month." Leopold had calculated such matters clearly. The Plaguelands were certainly no good hunting ground. It was remarkable that these elves had managed to find an untainted patch of land.

"High Elves have always thought highly of themselves and possessed proud temperaments. Even if I exploit their lack of food and insist that the rangers join the Scarlet Crusade's ranks, I would only be planting the seeds of division between us."

"The High Elf rangers would think we were taking advantage of their plight, behaving like contemptible villains.