‘You’re talking nonsense! You think that there were no spies present at the meeting in my Hall, the day you and your companions came to Mirrindale? There is no doubt in my mind that Prince Cir, at this very moment, gloats to himself that we have in our possession a weapon that is all but useless to us. No, my friend, do not blame yourself in these matters. You are not in a position to see matters overall, as I am. The doom of our people is not on your head. What you did, bringing the strangers to our world, was, to my mind, a foolish and rash act, but we both know that the King was ready to begin his campaign, that once he had finished killing or driving off our Faerie Kindred, a task that is all but accomplished, then he would at last turn his attention to us. I feel it in my bones that that day is nearly upon us.
‘Once the fighting has begun, however, the people, Faerie and Elf alike, will have a much better chance to flee. The King will attack our armies and strongholds first, in an effort to break our strength, before fully concentrating his efforts on exterminating civilians.’
Pran rose from his chair to stand before the fire, his features distraught in the red light.