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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 7474554" data-attributes="member: 143">Chapter 188It was a different group that met with them this time, though several of the faces were familiar.  They were in a small meeting room instead of the more spacious Council chambers, dominated by a long conference table and a hearth that was currently black and cold.  There were two members of the Council of Elders present, though they sat in the back and did not participate in the discussion.  Bredan’s eyes kept heading in that direction, wondering what they were thinking.In the foreground, and dominating the meeting, were Dergan Steelshield and Akhenon Loremaster.  Darik also remained present, though he was not seated at the conference table and instead took up a position near the door.On the visitor’s side of the table were Bredan, Quellan, Xeeta, and Konstantin.  The wizard had not participated in the attack, but he had been briefed by Bredan and the others, and he had a serious expression as he listened to the dwarves speaking.  Bredan, still exhausted, felt his mind wandering during the account.  He’d already heard most of it from Darik on their journey to the Lakehore Grotto and from Goran Thunderhammer, and the reality of the trolls’ grudge against the dwarves he of course knew from firsthand experience.“So now you know what we are up against,” Dergan said as he finished.  “These trolls are not common foes, and with giants as allies they represent an even greater threat to Ironcrest.”“They wish to exterminate us,” Akhenon said.“I understand,” Konstantin said.  “But if you are confronted with such a danger, why did you not reach out to us sooner?  We could have provided aid.”“When confronted with such a danger, it is easy to see threats everywhere you look,” Akhenon said.  “In such circumstances trust comes slowly.  Especially when there is so much history between our peoples, so much of it troubled.”“We were allies, once,” Konstantin said.  “Mistakes have been made, but that does not change that fundamental truth.”“What if this is all connected?” Xeeta asked.They all turned to her.  In the light of the gas lamps her ruddy skin seemed almost to glow.  She fidgeted a bit under that scrutiny but did not lower her eyes.  “What do you mean?” Akhenon finally asked.“The trolls were altered,” she said.  “And it is clear that there is a greater intelligence behind this attack, someone or something that could bind the trolls and these formorians together.  Furthermore, it seems obvious to me that there is magic at work here.  I sensed it when I battled the trolls, they resisted my spellworking.”“There are many creatures that are resistant to magic,” Dergan said.“There was magic behind Kavel Murgoth as well,” Xeeta continued.  “We have told you about the Blooded, and the warlock we encountered.  My own existence is evidence that there are people who are eager to meddle with outside entities for the sake of power.”“There is no evidence that the two things are connected,” Akhenon said.“There is no evidence that they are not connected,” Quellan pointed out.“There is something going on that we cannot fully perceive,” Bredan said.  “There is a greater power at work here; I have touched that power myself.  The hobgoblin was seeking it, and others have as well.  It led me to the Libram.  I don’t know that the answers are in that ancient book.  But it is not an accident of fate that brought me here.  You say you are in danger of extermination; I say that we are all in danger, humans and dwarves and elves alike.  You joined with us against the Dead King.  We shouldn’t wait until we’re facing another existential threat before we agree to work together.  If we wait too long this time, it might be too late for us all.”Another silence settled around the table as Bredan finished.  The dwarves exchanged a long look, the two in front glancing back at the pair of Elders seated in the back.  Some silent communication passed between them, then Dergan turned back to the others.  “We will think on your words,” he said.Bredan got up, the others following his gesture.  “Don’t think too long,” he warned.</blockquote>

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