Orian Whisper returned after leaving partway through.
The Wind Elf Elder had brought a human boy back with her.
Several Elders by the flower bed looked over. One Blood Elf Elder asked, "Annan Reeves? Why did you bring him here?"
"He says he knows the Attacker's true objective."
At the mention of the Attacker, the Elven Elders grew solemn and watched Annan approach the flower bed.
He was human, yet he looked entirely at home among Elves renowned for their beauty. Only his height displeased them.
"Elven Elders, you know I've been investigating the Attacker. Today I uncovered a new lead. Prince Aidan doesn't want revenge for Losthome. He's after someone else."
The Elven Elders murmured among themselves. Then a High Elf Elder asked, "Where's your evidence?"
"My evidence... comes from my sources. I can't reveal them."
Annan had made up his mind. He would not reveal the truth until he rescued Irilanze.
"You mean your Mob?"
The High Elf Elder snorted, then turned to his companions. "Why should we believe a human? His kind are still causing destruction all over Evanas."
Annan's days at the Elven Royal Court had not been wasted. He had learned how to deal with Elven arrogance: when someone threw mud at him, he did not explain himself. He threw dirtier mud back.
"You're a spy for the humans!" Annan shouted, pointing at the High Elf Elder.
"What did you say?"
The accused Elder froze, as did the others.
"I said you're a spy for the humans!"
The accusation was so absurd that the High Elf Elder could barely muster any anger. "Do you realize you're human?"
"And do you realize you're an Elf?" Annan shot back. "Give an Orc two Gold Coins, and even it knows one coin isn't righteous while the other is