"You... really didn't have to come welcome me," Samael Night Song said, breaking the stalemate.
The Dark Night Elves in the clearing looked away one after another, pretending nothing had happened.
Annan blinked, caught the Black Rat before it could escape, and put it back on his shoulder. Then he slowly edged to the side.
The Dark Night Elves acted as though Annan didn't exist. They didn't spare him a glance.
Annan sighed in relief when he reached the edge. So did Samael Night Song, who had been watching from the corner of his eye.
"The Elders' Council has confirmed that I had nothing to do with the culprit. Next..."
Samael Night Song suddenly noticed the looks in the Dark Night Elves' eyes changing. He turned his head slightly and saw Annan coming back, edging up beside him in full view of everyone.
Did he even realize he was supposed to be a prisoner...?
"I know this is terrible timing, but could you help me undo this?" Annan held out his arm, showing the thorn markings on his wrist.
"Ahem..."
Samael Night Song cleared his throat and told the Dark Night Elves, "Dark Night's Thorn Rings can seal the magic of any Spellcaster below the rank of Archmage, but they do have a weakness. Branches from an Ancient Tree render them ineffective."
"Oh, thanks."
Seeing Samael Night Song's face darken, Annan corrected himself. "I mean, I won't tell anyone. Ever."
Annan was about to leave when a Magic Scroll suddenly floated into his arms.
"What's this...?"
Samael Night Song ignored him and continued addressing the elves. "Be careful. Humans can use Transformation Spells to take our form."
Annan understood. Holding the Transformation Spell Scroll, he decided the people of Dark Night were good after all. He would never make another