The Library was too important. Surely the Elven Royal Court would not sacrifice it.
The Elders' Council wanted the elves to see the danger outsiders posed, not start another war...
But who could say for certain?
To Annan's relief, when they approached the Library, they found the surrounding area under tight guard.
Guards riding Elf Dragons searched everywhere. Annan's group was no exception; they were stopped and questioned as soon as they drew near.
"Who's in charge here?" Elder Theron asked.
"Elder Ares... Elder Theron, we haven't found anything," an elven guard said.
They had launched a massive search, but it had turned up nothing.
The sunset was fading. Night was near, and there had been no further explosion.
Elder Theron and the others first breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at Annan with deepening concern.
Elder Ares approached with two Elven Guard Officers. Annan pressed his lips together, knowing what was coming.
He could argue that his intervention had prevented an attack on the Library.
But the elves did not see it that way.
"Annan Reeves, would you care to tell me why you're here?" Elder Ares demanded haughtily.
"I..."
Ares had come looking for a fight, but Annan could not betray Tadel.
He changed tack. "Why I'm here doesn't matter. What matters is that I can find the culprit."
"You mean the way you sent the entire Elders' Council chasing your false information?"
Annan glanced at the elves still searching. "You seem to have forgotten that I saved the Tree of Wisdom and kept Aipo Heights from being destroyed."
"Who knows how you managed that..."
Ares tilted his head, signaling the Elven Guard Officers to seize Annan.
Annan frowned. He had no time to argue with Ares. "We want the same thing: to find the culprit. I