That day, Aaron did not receive a definite answer from Elminster.
Sending troops into Cormanthor Forest had always been part of Aaron's plan, but he had not made any careless promises. He still had to give priority to his business with Eilistraee.
After Aaron and the others left, Elminster hesitated for a while before returning to his room. Following a simple incantation, an apparition of the Archmage Khelben Blackstaff appeared on the other side of the room.
"El, how are you holding up?" Khelben Blackstaff spoke casually.
"Mm." Elminster gave a noncommittal nod. "Don't worry. I won't die."
"Please take good care of yourself. I can hardly imagine what the Realms would become without you." Khelben Blackstaff spoke boldly. "What would happen to the Harpers without your guidance? Each of them is more reckless than the last."
"How are things in Anauroch and the Moonsea?" As time passed, Elminster felt increasingly that Khelben Blackstaff's understanding of "good" differed from his own. That was perfectly normal, but it also meant that Khelben's views on the Harpers might already have changed.
"Absolutely outrageous." Blackstaff laughed as he spoke. "The Salian Shogunate army already numbered fifty thousand. With the newly incorporated Baid cavalry, it's now sixty thousand strong. Ha! I'd love to see the look on Manshoon's face."
"The situation has become very serious." Elminster held his pipe between his teeth. There was not a trace of amusement on the Great Sage's face.
"Maximian's vanguard has already reached Dagger Falls. The army is making camp there, and enormous quantities of supplies from Tifanton are pouring into the camp without pause."
"He won't attack Zhentil Keep. At least, not yet." Elminster shook his head, looking troubled. "If he launches an attack rashly now, it will be seen as a war between him and the