The elf swore in languages both familiar and forgotten, smacking things with his walking stick and yelling at them. For a moment, Thomas had to wonder if Morando’s original fear wasn’t due to the Chancellor but due to the Keeper’s reaction. “All the years of asking him why! All the years of him saying there was nothing he could do! All the years of being lied to! How dare he?! HOW DARE HE?! No man interrupted the Keeper’s rage, even as they all sat at the table staring into a fire that held no warmth. It felt like a physical blow to all of them. Betrayed by the highest power in elven lands… Thomas’ head bowed, and he found he didn’t have the strength to lift it again. The Capital, fallen. The countryside of Ludicra, burned. And now Verdonti, the one safe haven for magic-casters, was ruled by a corrupt Chancellor. “But why?” Zach said while the Keeper tried to catch his breath, “why would he strike this deal with Orano?
