looked over at Amlaruil. “I refuse to compound negligence with folly. In fact, I find that I am not at all confident that this matter should be left in the hands of the throne’s agents, seeing as the council has just learned how easily our defenses were defeatedagain.”
“What are you implying?” Seiveril demanded.
“I imply nothing,” Lady Veldann said. “I will observe, however, that since King Zaor’s ascension the throne has assumed increasing power over Evermeet’s affairs and defenses, but our walls seem to be growing more and more porous. As the council has been relieved of the responsibility of overseeing our magical wards and physical defenses for some time, it is clear where the responsibility for these failures now lies. Perhaps it would be wisest if the council assumed direct oversight of the investigation of this entire affair and the organization of an appropriate response.” 74
Corellon, grant me patience, Seiveril fumed.
For decades he had listened to Ammisyll Veldann begrudge the queen’s every effort to unite Evermeet’s defenders behind the throne, and she had the temerity to wonder why Evermeet was not invulnerable to attack? He started to speak, but he sensed a small wave of the queen’s hand. He shut his mouth and turned to look at Amlaruil.
“I accept responsibility for the losses at Tower Reilloch,” Queen Amlaruil said. Her eyes flashed, but she did not lose her composure. “The preservation of our realm’s People and treasures is the single highest privilege and responsibility of the throne. When the lives of our elves are lost, then I have failed in my duty, and I deserve censure. But know this: I intend to exercise the full power and authority at my disposal to recover the crystal and oppose the purposes of our enemies, wherever they may be found.
“I swear by the Seldarine that this crime shall not go unpunished.”
CHAPTER 5
29 Alturiak, the Year of Lightning Storms
The town of Daggerford was a sleepy little stopover on the Trade Way near the mouth of the Delimbiyr River. It was a human town, with only a scattering of other kindred, and though it was protected by a wall and a sturdy keep, its streets were unpaved and its buildings had a ramshackle, weather-beaten look to them. Araevin was amazed at how much the soporific little town had changed since last he walked its streets. In some ways it felt much as it always had. A strong wet wind blew in from the Sea of Swords. Freezing slush lined the streets. Rustic, heavy-handed craftsmanship was evident in the iron-hasped doors and thick-beamed buildings. Acrid smoke filled the air from open-air smithies, fuming smokehouses, and seemingly every home and store. But half the buildings he remembered had vanished, replaced by new ones.
“Incredible,” he murmured. “I was just here only a few years ago… and it seems they’ve knocked down the whole town and rebuilt it since then.”
Ilsevele stayed close to his side, warily eying the passersby in the wide, muddy street. She wrinkled her nose at the heavy smoke in the air.
“I feel no Tel’Quessir nearby,” she said. “How strange to be in a town of this size and sense no one else.”
“They are here. Humans do not experience community the way we do. Each is a lonely isle in the sea, out of sight of his fellows.”
“Then why do they dwell in such close quarters?” Ilsevele muttered. Her eyes watered from the smoke of a nearby smithy. “And do they each have to have their own fire?”
“Ah, here we are,” Araevin said.
The Dragonback Inn was a large, rambling building with chest-high walls of fieldstone from which rose sturdy wooden walls with thick timbers framing the structure. Dark, small-paned windows of green leaded glass looked out over the broad ford of the Deliymber below, and a creaking sign of grayed wood hung over the strong door.
Araevin noticed Ilsevele’s dubious expression, and said, “It’s not so bad, really. Come on, let’s go
“What are you implying?” Seiveril demanded.
“I imply nothing,” Lady Veldann said. “I will observe, however, that since King Zaor’s ascension the throne has assumed increasing power over Evermeet’s affairs and defenses, but our walls seem to be growing more and more porous. As the council has been relieved of the responsibility of overseeing our magical wards and physical defenses for some time, it is clear where the responsibility for these failures now lies. Perhaps it would be wisest if the council assumed direct oversight of the investigation of this entire affair and the organization of an appropriate response.” 74
Corellon, grant me patience, Seiveril fumed.
For decades he had listened to Ammisyll Veldann begrudge the queen’s every effort to unite Evermeet’s defenders behind the throne, and she had the temerity to wonder why Evermeet was not invulnerable to attack? He started to speak, but he sensed a small wave of the queen’s hand. He shut his mouth and turned to look at Amlaruil.
“I accept responsibility for the losses at Tower Reilloch,” Queen Amlaruil said. Her eyes flashed, but she did not lose her composure. “The preservation of our realm’s People and treasures is the single highest privilege and responsibility of the throne. When the lives of our elves are lost, then I have failed in my duty, and I deserve censure. But know this: I intend to exercise the full power and authority at my disposal to recover the crystal and oppose the purposes of our enemies, wherever they may be found.
“I swear by the Seldarine that this crime shall not go unpunished.”
CHAPTER 5
29 Alturiak, the Year of Lightning Storms
The town of Daggerford was a sleepy little stopover on the Trade Way near the mouth of the Delimbiyr River. It was a human town, with only a scattering of other kindred, and though it was protected by a wall and a sturdy keep, its streets were unpaved and its buildings had a ramshackle, weather-beaten look to them. Araevin was amazed at how much the soporific little town had changed since last he walked its streets. In some ways it felt much as it always had. A strong wet wind blew in from the Sea of Swords. Freezing slush lined the streets. Rustic, heavy-handed craftsmanship was evident in the iron-hasped doors and thick-beamed buildings. Acrid smoke filled the air from open-air smithies, fuming smokehouses, and seemingly every home and store. But half the buildings he remembered had vanished, replaced by new ones.
“Incredible,” he murmured. “I was just here only a few years ago… and it seems they’ve knocked down the whole town and rebuilt it since then.”
Ilsevele stayed close to his side, warily eying the passersby in the wide, muddy street. She wrinkled her nose at the heavy smoke in the air.
“I feel no Tel’Quessir nearby,” she said. “How strange to be in a town of this size and sense no one else.”
“They are here. Humans do not experience community the way we do. Each is a lonely isle in the sea, out of sight of his fellows.”
“Then why do they dwell in such close quarters?” Ilsevele muttered. Her eyes watered from the smoke of a nearby smithy. “And do they each have to have their own fire?”
“Ah, here we are,” Araevin said.
The Dragonback Inn was a large, rambling building with chest-high walls of fieldstone from which rose sturdy wooden walls with thick timbers framing the structure. Dark, small-paned windows of green leaded glass looked out over the broad ford of the Deliymber below, and a creaking sign of grayed wood hung over the strong door.
Araevin noticed Ilsevele’s dubious expression, and said, “It’s not so bad, really. Come on, let’s go
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