“Small remorse, child. I am hard -pressed to see why you should not be taken back to
elven lands and locked away in du ngeon deep.”
Then Groth, honorabl e son of Grath, heaved a sigh. “ Sir, I must speak. You know I hold
no great love for the long- ears.” Vissarion chuckled and slapped him on the back. Groth ignored
him. “But this Elladonna— the mischief that befell here is not truly of h er making. ’ Twas my
battle-mongering led to the man Jones firing his weapon, and to the conflagration of Dino’s
Diner.”
“His mongering and mine,” said Gar. “And I— I cannot accept mercy for seeking to sell
the Key if she receives none for seeking to buy it. Especially w hen she saved my imbecile life.”
At no cost to herself , I thought, noting the three red holes. Still, the deed was good . I saw
no malice in her, only a wildness untempered by maturity. And I have known lyrilim to learn
wisdom through the burdens of respo nsibility. “Vissarion Wingfoot?”
“Sir!”
“ It is no place of mine to meddle in elvish affairs. However, I beg to claim kinship with
this maiden by reason of our paternities, and to offer a suggestion to the Council, if they will
hear it.”
“ As their represe ntative, sir, I hear it gladly.”
“ The Goblins encroach on my Western borders. I need a spy who can tell me of their
movements.”
She clapped her hands. “ Oh, what fun! Vissarion, old friend, do let me spy on the
Goblins!”
“ Hush, hush. I can hear for the Council, but I cannot speak for them. All the same, I do
not doubt they will accept. Better, surely, to make use of your talents than to vex our jailers
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