originally posted in:The New Dojo
"War for survival is one thing. Heck, even war for conquest makes sense, but neither of your beliefs demand the other dies, correct? Then why fight?"
English
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"Because centuries ago the Grenwald persecuted and discriminated against us for our beliefs!" Ulfric told Can. "We separated from the original clan of the Kakusa grove a long time ago because of that. And clearly, nothing has changed." "Except everyone who is here now." Hiebert said. "We, the people of these clans, are different. We can live together in peace as long as no one tries to kill the other." "Precisely. It's about respect for the other party no matter what they want to believe in." Yuri stated. "And why would we have enemies when we can have friends, right?!" Bella exclaimed to her father. He looked down at her, but Can saw that the man was still conflicted.
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Cannon remained quiet, Bella having taken the words from his mouth.
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"That...it isn't that simple." "Of course it is!" Abraham said. "The easy part is making the choice. The hard part is seeing it through."
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"Wise words." Cannon agreed with him.
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"For crying out...fine! Fine!" Ulfric declared. "Let's end a thousand year war with peace! I give in!" "YESSSSS!!!" Bella exclaimed as she hugged her father.
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Cannon smiled, albeit tiredly, leaning on his sword.
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"But how are we going to do this then?" Ulfric asked. "We need the grenwalds to co-operate. Cannon do you have any ideas?" The Tokage leader asked Cannon.
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He shrugged. "Stop shooting at them for one thing. White flags are also useful in these situations."
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"Also, Grenwalds have some gestures that may prove that the Tokage actually do mean peace." The two said. "They are gestures only the grenwalds know, so if they see that you are doing it with us at your side that should attract some less hostile attention.
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"Well then, this might actually work." Cannon muttered, smiling slightly. He felt sick from his injuries.
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"Great. We'll roll with that then." Ulfric agreed. He turned to Can. "Cannon...despite your condition I need you to see this through. You are the best middle man for the negotiation that will transpire."
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He nodded. "Assuming I don't collapse, you can count on me." He looked pale.
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"Alright. Then let's get to it." Ulfric said as he walked past the group. "You two grenwalds, stay with Cannon. I need to tell the Tokage what is about to transpire."
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Cannon looked to his new comrades. "Either of you happen to have some food? I haven't eaten all day."
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"I have a granola bar and a half eaten sandwich." Welters told Cannon as he took out the two crumbled food items from his pocket as the group walked down the stairs.
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"May I have them?"
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"I didn't take them out of my pocket for show." Welters told Can as he handed him the food items to his only hand while the group approached the door of the cabin. "You two!" Ulfric told the other two Tokage. Round up all of our forces and have all of them meet within the streets, where we will have cover. Got it?" "Yes sir!" A woman said as she left the cabin and the others followed behind her.
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Cannon scarfed down the food. "Thanks... I needed that."
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[spoiler]10/10 content would scarf again[/spoiler] The group headed outside where they walked into the streets quickly to avoid the barrage of Grenwald arrows. They found cover in the streets, where Ulfric had the men and women who remained gather around him. "Men and women of the Tokage!" Ulfric began. "I...have come to a form of revelation, regarding he grenwalds. For one, it was not them who kidnapped Bella. As you see, she is here, beside me!" He told everyone as he put his hand on his daughters shoulder. "And as you can also see, Cannon is here as well. After he fought none other than Diana Coldbourne, the kidnapper." There was a rustle in the crowd. Cannon saw some faces turn a very deep ominous look as he observed. "That being said...the Traitor is gone. And I'm afraid...I am afraid I have led all of you to our demise." "What?! We can hold em off!" A woman said. "We can end this war! I know we can!" "At what cost dear Gertrude?" Ulfric told the woman. "At the cost of only a few of us making out of here?" "Majora would want this destruction!" Another member yelled out. "As long as the grenwalds die, it is worth any sacrifice!" Said the man. He seemed to gather some support from the crowd. "Killing yourselves is not worth pleasing your god!" Hiebert spoke out. Suddenly the mob turned their attention to him. "And what would YOU say Grenwald? In fact, why are you not bound?!" The man asked. "Because I am not a damned prisoner!" Hiebert informed him. Suddenly the crowd began to get more riled up.
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Cannon stepped up to protect the Grenwalds should the crowd turn violent. Despite his wounds, He was still intimidating. "You people don't get it. This war... There's no winning. You either all die or you coexist."
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"Then we die!" The man declared. Some people nodded their heads, while most seemed to Like the latter of Cannons statement, "NO! YOU WILL NOT DIE!" Ulfric bellowed at the crowd. "You people are my family! I will not have more death than there already has been! People of the Tokage, this war is senseless and immoral! We were once discriminated against for what we believe, this is true, but dying over a simple difference in beliefs no longer fills me with determination but guilt!" "But Majora would-" "What would Majora do? What has the God of destruction done for us lately? My brother was killed on the dragons peak, where the last artifact of the dragon was! He died senselessly for his beliefs and why? To protect old bones?!" The crowd seemed to wane a bit, taking in their leaders words. "I am DONE with this war. I am DONE losing my people, my family!" Ulfric told everyone as he rested his hand on his daughters shoulder. "And I am DONE being angry at the grenwalds, and being the bloodthirsty religious nut jobs that they think we are! It is time to offer peace! It is worth a shot! And if the grenwalds deny that peace, then we will know who is truly in the wrong! So I ask of you, Members of the Tokage, will you stand by me? Will you come with me as family as we end this war once and for all?!" The crowd cheered at Ulfric's words. Even the man who had started the rant before began to chant with the crowd. The grenwalds looked around, and Abraham nodded his head. "Huh...well said." The Grenwald remarked.
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"That was one heck of a speech." Cannon smiled slightly, clutching his stump arm. "Let's hope the Grenwalds are as easy to convince as well."
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"Doubtful." Hiebert told Can. "We are significantly more stubborn than the Tokage."
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"That's hard to believe." Cannon joked with a smirk.
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Hiebert raised his eyebrows at the man's remark. "Ya well...you'll believe it soon enough." "Now!" Ulfric yelled. "The two grenwalds, Can, and a small group of Tokage will walk with me across the bridge. These two Grenwald men, Hiebert and Abraham, aim for peace as well. I will speak with their leader, Halt, and we will try to come to an agreement. This is the only way my friends." Ulfric turned to Cannon. "Can, are you ready?" The Tokage leader asked him.