Annan and Tadel emerged from the Jade Ancient Tree after accepting Lord Emerald's request.
"Tadel..."
"I'm coming with you," she said.
Tadel's presence was proof that the Elven Royal Court had to listen to Annan.
But Annan still wasn't sure how far his authority extended. "Who can I give orders to?"
"As long as your orders are reasonable, any elf in the Elven Royal Court must cooperate."
Tadel meant that elves were united. Annan, however, had something else in mind. "Even the Elders?"
"Even the Elders."
Annan quickly searched his memory for any elven Elders who had wronged him... and realized there weren't any.
Elder Ares was an arrogant old elf, but his past had been tragic. If Annan had lived through the same things, he might have done more than harbor a prejudice against humans. He might have pointed beyond Aldo Forest, declared, "The enemy lies on the other side of the forest," and devoted the rest of his life to wiping out humanity.
As for the others, they were irritatingly arrogant at worst. None of them were bad at heart.
Having no enemies among them left Annan rueful. Not so long ago, even the elven Guards had refused to look him in the eye. The first thing he'd had to do upon arriving at the Elven Royal Court as a future ally was learn elven etiquette—
Once he rescued Idelia and Lord Emerald's child, Annan fully intended to bring those arrogant elves to Free City and give them a thorough lesson in Free City Etiquette!
"Lord Emerald's child is in Aidan's hands. I need a small, elite team with a Legendary Mage and a Ranger. Can you arrange that?"
"No problem."
"And I need Mr. Leonafa to come help me."
"The Elven Royal Court doesn't want outsiders to