"And that is how I came to travel with Vai."

"Interesting. I see you are a man of many talents." Astute eyes steadily regarded him, "There is much to discuss, I think."

Throughout, Vai remained stiffly silent. Scar too, said nothing.

"Who are you, elf? That you appear out of nowhere. Where are you from?"

"A bastard."

"Aurifyr!" Vai hissed, then moderated her tone, "Please excuse him, your grace. His manners leave much to be desired." From her look, she could have kicked him.

"It's all right; I am no stranger to coarse language."

"Why the interest in me? What warrants a duke's interest?"

"The bounty on your head has not gone unnoticed. Even had you not chosen to neglect that detail, I would have raised it. I do not often take interest in such things, but less savoury circles have been drawn to its reward. A steadily rising reward, for which no explanation has been given or found. I have my own agents, Aurifyr, and no one can turn up anything on you, or indeed, the one responsible for its posting. Who wants your death so badly they offer an earl's ransom for your head?"

Vai stared at him.

"You seem surprised, commander. Were you unaware of the price on your friend's head?"

"Yes, but… an earl's ransom? I do not mean to question your grace, but–"

"I do not exaggerate." He addressed Aurifyr, "You have some very powerful enemies. I want to know why, and what threat you pose to this city."

He met the duke's grey eyes coolly, "I am neither enemy to you, nor your city."

After a moment, Eltan leaned back, "Aye, I believe you, elf." His lips did not quite purse, "but I'll not make the mistake of believing you to be harmless. You're dangerous." His gaze flickered towards Vai, "After that… business at Nashkel, well, shall we say, there are those who might suspect you of being an Amnish agent."

"You know about Nashkel? …Your grace."

"And what would you say?" Calmly, Aurifyr ignored Vai's interruption, as did Eltan.

"I say you are not what you appear." Eltan stroked the edges of his chin, as if he had recently shaved off a triangular beard and had forgotten, "You do not strike me as an agent, Amnish or otherwise. No, there is more to you than meets the eye." His look became knowing, sharply focusing as unseen pieces clicked in his mind, "Your kind is not so common that you can pass unnoticed for long, not if you leave a trail in your wake. My spies confirm there was at least one other elf in the area, and there are rumours, though how credible is open to question, about a third elf. One dispatched from Evereska."

"They're both dead."

Eltan's eyes widened slightly, then he nodded. "You have knowledge of their fates?"

"You – you never mentioned this," Vai growled almost to herself. Then she promptly fell silent.

"A bounty hunter felled the Evereska agent. He is now dead."

"And the second?"

"Driven mad with grief. I encountered him briefly in Cloakwood. Before he killed himself, he spoke of how his lover was tortured before his eyes, and mentioned the leader of a camp of bandits we had razed responsible. Upon reflection, I believe the one responsible for his torment was 'Tazok'."

"Tazok… I have heard of that." Eltan frowned, "I will have to search through my agent's reports, but I have heard that name."

Vai shot the elf a long, hard look; it promised there would be words later. She had not missed his neglect to mention whole truth over the grieving elf's demise.

"How did he come to meet you?"

"He found me." Aurifyr shrugged in a very humanlike manner, "He needed to share his tale."

"Convenient that he would just take his own life. You had no part in this?"

"He was dead before I arrived." Eyes flashing, Aurifyr met the duke's calm coldly, "If you knew our kind, you would know what happens when our soul-bonded expires, especially violently. We become shadows, wraiths, half living, half dead."

Slowly, Eltan stroked his chin, "Aye, I know. I had to ask." He paused deliberately, "Now, I would hear more about this bandit camp. What else have you learnt?"

"Vai – the letters." Aurifyr prompted, "I believe the organisation the 'Iron Throne' to be responsible."

"That is a troubling accusation."

"Aye," Scar spoke up suddenly, "but one that may not be so far-fetched, your grace."

"I concur."

Vai held out the satchel deferentially, formally offering it to her liege.

Eltan gave her a long look, but chose not to say anything on the topic, "I will review these at my leisure."

"They are conclusive proof of the involvement of someone within the upper echelons within the Iron Throne."

"And there are no other copies of these?"

"None."

"Commander?"

"No, your grace."

"Then we must take care of these. Scar?"

"Yes, your grace?"

"After I have heard the rest of the tale, debrief and enlist those loyal to us. If the 'Throne is trying for a bid for power, I want this stronghold and the ducal palace secure. It is more likely that they will back a claimant." Something passed between the two men. "We've had our eye on the 'Throne for a while now. Your report is disturbing. Now, the rest, if you please."

Aurifyr exchanged another look with Vai, shrugged and began.