"Now, they kill with abandon."

Vambran saw her shoulders sag, sensed her sorrow. He understood that, though she had little tolerance for the world beyond her woods at large, she still suffered to see relentless killing. And though he knew he personally had little to do with the bloodshed and violence visited upon the people of the woods, he felt a sense of guilt wash over him, guilt at his chosen life, that of a professional soldier. "My uncle and brother and their partners sought to profit from the fighting," he reminded her. "Perhaps they foresaw greater profit through protracted, total war."

"Perhaps, but I think there is more to this tale," Shinthala replied. "The men who kill with abandon fight on behalf of the city of Reth. They make a point of claiming so, to all who survive the carnage. It is as though the leaders of that city wish it to be known that they push against us, and against all other armies serving all other patrons."

"Yes," Vambran said, his sense of sorrow and guilt growing at the woman's descriptions. "Perhaps they wish to have an insulating layer of anonymity between themselves and the actual armies. They will profit from the increased control of the woods and the logging that goes on there after they have secured the field, but they do not want the populace to make the connection between the coin they spent slaughtering all opposition and the coin they gained cutting down trees."

"Perhaps," Shinthala repeated, but she sounded doubtful. "But don't you think it odd that these 'businessmen'"-and she spoke that word with great distaste, reminding Vambran just how vast was the gulf between their lives-"would choose to back the government of Reth, formerly a part of your own country, against soldiers serving Chondath? Is not Hlath still under the rule of Lord Wianar?"

Vambran considered the woman's words, trying to make some sense of why Grozier Talricci and Grand Trabbar Lavant would choose to fund an army to go against Chondath, especially in such a conspicuous manner. It was as though they were trying to draw attention to themselves, trying to see what Hlath would do in response.

"They are trying to draw out the army of Hlath," he said, sitting up. "They are trying to goad Chondath into a reaction."

"And what would that reaction be?" Shinthala asked, as though she already knew the answer.

"Wianar would see an opportunity to retaliate," he said. "He might even see a chance to crush Reth's resistance once and for all," he added, realization dawning, "and restake his claim to that city as being part of Chondath. The alliance is working for Lord Wianar in secret!"

"Yes," Shinthala said, turning and looking at him, her emerald eyes sparkling dangerously. "And why, do you suppose, would this alliance you know of go out of its way to involve the Enclave? Why suffer the wrath of two enemies instead of just one unnecessarily?"

"Because," Vambran said slowly, thinking the issue through to its logical conclusion, "if Reth and the druids tear at one another, it weakens both of them, and the armies of Chondath will march into the aftermath and win an easy victory. Wianar reclaims Reth and grievously wounds the Emerald Enclave, long a thorn in his side, all at once."

"You are wise for one so young," Shinthala said, running her delicate fingers along his cheek. "But there is one part of this matter that you have not considered."

"What is that?"

"That you and your soldiers are from Chondath. Further, you serve the same temple that is a part of this alliance, a part of this conspiracy to raise war and retake lost territories. It would be natural to expect Lord Wianar to draw on every 'resource'"-and she gave Vambran a knowing look at the use of that word-"at his disposal to win his land back. That would include a very cooperative Temple of Waukeen, would it not? That would include the armies of the Order of the Sapphire Crescent, true?"

Vambran did not speak. The evidence was damning, and he had no rebuttal other than what he had already claimed.

"We cannot hope to win a two-front war," Shinthala said, drawing her shirt about herself. "And if we allow ourselves to be drawn into this conflict, that is precisely what will occur." Vambran nodded in understanding, beginning to pull on his own clothes. "But if we do not fight," she continued, "then we allow the people of the cities to control the woods, and we have failed in our course. So we are at a difficult crossroads."

At that point, Shinthala turned and looked at Vambran directly. "You have offered your help to us, Vambran," she said. "What do you propose to do to stop this plan?"

The lieutenant paused, considering what he was willing to do. He had offered to help, and he intended to prevent the war, but his methods of doing so might not make sense to Shinthala, who seemed to approach all things in a direct manner. "I will aid you as I can," he offered, rising to his feet, "but I must also look to my own soldiers. They follow me loyally, and I must do what I can to save them. Let me free them from the army camped in the clearing, and I will find a way to diffuse this impending cloud of war that hangs over the Nunwood."

"And what of your family, back in Arrabar? What of your sister?"

"I don't know," Vambran answered, frustration and helplessness rising. "I should go to her, too, but my duty to my soldiers… I am torn. And every moment I spend here, as pleasant as it is," he said meaningfully, wanting her to know he did not regret their day together, "keeps me from either one."

Shinthala considered Vambran's words. "I believe your sincerity," she said at last. "And I wish for you to succeed, on both fronts."

Vambran reached down and helped her to stand. "Then let me and my soldiers free," he said. "We can stop the killing."

Shinthala stared at him intently, those brilliant green eyes glowing warmly, then pulled him close in an embrace. "I actually believe you can," she said against his shoulder.

Emriana was sitting in the formal room of House Darowdryn. The first to arrive in the parlor was Ariskrit Darowdryn, the woman Emriana remembered from many occasions in her youth, most recently her birthday party. The woman took one look at the girl and came right over and gave her a warm embrace. Just seeing the elderly matriarch nearly made the girl cry, for though she was able to speak with her own grandmother, the magnitude of Hetta's disembodied condition still overwhelmed her.

"It's going to be all right, Em," Ariskrit said. "You were right to come to us."

Tharlgarl entered shortly thereafter. Thankfully, he was not dressed in his immense suit of armor any longer, but was instead wearing a comfortable-looking riding outfit. More members of the Darowdryn family soon followed, none of whom Emriana knew.

Once more than half a dozen of them had gathered in the parlor, Ariskrit said, "Now, Miss Emriana, tell us what, exactly, has happened to my dear friend Hetta, and do not leave anything out."

Emriana nodded and began to reveal her tale, including the fact that Hetta's spirit was somehow implanted in the ring she wore. Several times while listening to the girl explain her reasons for being there, Ariskrit's eyes sparkled in anger. When she was finished, the matriarch nodded.

"Hetta has been my friend and confidante for many years," she said, "and though I don't know if she can hear me or not, you assure her that we are going to help you set things right. That whelp Talricci will not get away with this, I promise you."

Emriana smiled. "Thank you so much," she said. "I cannot tell you how much it means to me."

"Well, there is a lot we must do, but before we formulate any plans, my grandson Pilos here needs to add a little to your story." The young man sitting just to Ariskrit's right smiled and sat forward in his seat. Emriana had noticed before that he was dressed as an Abreeant priest of the Temple of Waukeen, and she had glanced at him more than once during her explanations of the family's suspicions about Lavant. In the back of her mind, Emriana had worried that she would offend the young man, but each time she mentioned Lavant by name, she saw him grimace, and the girl realized that he found the obese priest as repugnant as she did.