Pulling aside the canvas flap and entering the camp tent, the elven scout said, "Yaevinn, I saw them to the forest border. They've already left." Then he remained where he was.
Yaevinn, seated at the table writing a letter, noticed that his subordinate showed no intention of leaving after he finished speaking. He looked up at him. "What is it? Your face is full of questions."
The scout placed a hand over his chest and bowed. "Yes, Yaevinn. I'm curious—why were you so accommodating toward them? Even if they are friends of Floating Harbor Forest, and quite good bards, still..."
Yaevinn smiled and waved for him to stop. Taking out a letter, he handed it to the scout. "Read this first, then we'll talk. It's fine, nothing confidential—just greetings between friends."
The elven scout accepted the letter with both hands and opened it to read. Skipping over the ornate flourishes, he quickly found the part his commander wanted him to see.
Yaevinn continued, "Anyone introduced in a joint letter from Iophis and Toluvel must possess some exceptional qualities... You heard it too. 'With You' truly is a fine song." At that, he closed his eyes and spread his arms. "Even now, I can still feel its lingering echoes. So beautiful. What a pity it wasn't music made by elves."
After folding the letter, the scout returned the greeting letter to the table.
"Even so, I still feel that helping them without asking for anything in return is too abrupt. It may instead make them wary, which won't benefit a long-term relationship. Perhaps we could ask for some alchemical products—"
Touching his nose, Yaevinn interrupted in a deep voice, "—It can't be helped if they become wary. We don't have time to cultivate a relationship slowly, so it's better to let