Free The New World (The Last Delar) by Matthew Cousineau

dressed only in loincloths and their bodies are covered in red war paint, with white paint splashed over their heads. Ush-Ka walks up to the Chiefs and bows his head in respect.  Through his long rotted teeth, he spits his first words with a sneer: "Such a grand turnout! I am pleased to see you honor your future king with such respect."
    The room erupts in anger and Black Claw steps down from between the Chiefs and approaches his enemy, shouting and pointing to Ush-Ka’s master.  "Tell me Beast, by what right does your King believe he has ownership over our lands? Did he bleed with our ancestors as they fought and forged our great city?"
    The room again begins to echo with talk as the men nod their heads and point toward Ush-Ka, agreeing with their captain.  General Ush-Ka looks to his master who yawns with boredom.
    "I do not speak to lowly tree rats," he hisses.  "I ask the Chiefs to swiftly punish this rodent's insolence and without mercy.  Anything less I will take as a personal insult."
    The room erupts in shouting and fist-shaking.  Red Fist is the first Chief to speak.  "This is the Captain of our city whom you insult, General.  You will show him respect while you are inside our borders."
    Ush-Ka chuckles, "Captain? This is your Captain? Well, if this is the greatest warrior you have, then you are in greater need of our King's protection than I perceived." Ush-Ka turns and points to all the Meno and Salali in the hall.  "Those who swear allegiance to the greatest and most powerful King in this world will be under his protection.  They will be allowed to work on his majesty's lands. Lands that he will generously provide to his loyal subjects.  Those who prove their worth will receive his blessing, but those who oppose him will burn in the ashes of his fury.  This is not a threat but rather an offer and a DEMAND! Do not be so foolish as to let courage fill your chests . . . my Lord has the means to destroy your city, and I will do as my King commands.  My new brothers, submit to the new master of the world and live under his rule . . . in peace . . . or oppose him and die."
    Black Claw opens his hands and flashes his large thumb claws.  "We do not need your protection, nor do we need permission from your farce of a king to work our own lands." The hall erupts in yelling in support of Black Claw.  The men stomp their feet and the Salali scratch the ground and brandish their claws toward Ush-Ka and his men.  "And as for his fury, it is you who should be worried about ours, Dog!"
    Ush-Ka turns toward the chiefs, turning his back to Black Claw.  "Chief Grey Back, you have been read the terms.  You will bind your allegiance by signing the scrolls with the ink of your blood.  This act will prove your oath to your new Lord and allow your people to live."
    Grey Back stands proudly and points his aging finger in the Wicked King’s direction.  "And after we have given you everything we possess, including our sons and daughters, what then do we have left? I will tell you . . . nothing. We will have nothing.  Take our lives if you must, but you will not take our honor or our freedom without a fight."
    Ush-Ka walks up and down the aisle, purposefully looking into the eyes of both races.  "Hagur, Leaf, show these peasants what true warriors are." With these words Ush-Ka’s bodyguards begin to perform.  They shout out the Nossa cry of war.  They begin to do a war dance showing all in the hall their skills of combat while chanting and slapping themselves violently. This demonstration brings uneasiness to the room, and fear begins to fill the hearts of the men and the Salali.  Ush-Ka can smell their distress, and he begins to smile.
    Black Claw tries to bring courage back to his men.  "The only thing we need protection from is your master, your black-hearted king who orders you to slaughter the innocent and steal what is not yours.  We will never become slaves working our own lands or in your cursed