"Yes," said the wizard nodding in comprehension, "I see what you mean. The end is utter silence. If anyone had prevailed, foeman or defender, then why do they not rule the wide lands to this very day? You don't suppose . . ."
"That they didn't wage war upon each other until they were all destroyed," finished Anest, "as many have speculated for generations. That some other power intervened, destroying Morag and the east in some great catastrophe that eradicated all knowledge, all life." The implications made Anest's head reel.
"It is possible," said the wizard. "If the east was not defeated, we would not be here. If Morag was not defeated, its descendents would undoubtedly have remained." He turned to the sylph who watched them, wide-eyed, clutching Anest's arm.
"Your little friend here isn't going to have much of a chance to survive unless she can be taught to defend herself. This she won't do unless she can be made to understand the need. For that, she must learn to speak, and quickly. Come here, young lady."
She didn't move, of course, so Anest took her by the shoulders and positioned her before the wizard.