Affronted, several of the Merchants and members of the gallery rose to leave, until the Thane raised his voice.
‘Remain seated!’
They did so with very poor grace, unnerved by the implicit threat in the Thane’s tone.
‘Please continue,’ the Thane said.
Gathering himself once more, considering his thoughts, Pran said, ‘I know what you are thinking! Pixie loyalty . . . who has ever heard of such a thing? Pixies are spiteful, untrustworthy creatures, who abduct the young, who steal small but valuable objects, who seduce young men in the guise of their lovers, and who are notorious for their pranks and their mischief.
‘Some of this is undoubtedly true, that they are vengeful and spiteful towards us. Small wonder, considering the atrocities we have committed against them! That they commit mischief and small pranks is certainly true, for I have seen these often, as have many of you. However, it should speak much for their character, that there is so little harm in their anger toward us.
‘But as to the rest . . .
‘When my daughter, Rani, was but four years old, she wandered off and was lost in the woods. After several days of frantic searching, my wife and I had given up all hope, and were beside ourselves with grief, certain that we would never see our little girl again.