Midnight rolled around. October 3rd. Solveig was squeezing the life out of a small but rare Xadian creature. It's panicked squeaks died down, in time for the bowl in front of him to catch purple fire.
"Good evening", said the fire, "What is it?"
"Kel is dead. The Katolin brat all but confirmed it."
"Hm. Her age must have gotten the better of her. I should have guessed she would not be able to stand up to the assassin. Do we know their whereabouts?"
"Ezran is a talkative boy, so yes, somewhat. Somewhere near a mountain range. There apparently are hot springs and tentacle-like trees everywhere. Mean anything to you?"
The flame seemed to think, there was the rustle of pages.
"It's likely to be the Wall of Fire, the trees and hot springs are described in Kindulathin's `Maps and Features of the Plains of Korhal`. It makes sense for them to take the pass, if it still exists."
"So, deep behind Xadian lines at this point."
"It is. Minister, I say again; We can't let them return the whelp. It is far too powerful to allow it into Xadian hands and much too potent to ignore its uses. Strange they haven't handed the dragon over to the elves yet."
The flame flickered, as though it was considering something.
"I was really hoping Kel would do what my children would not. No matter, they are not so far as to be without my reach now that I have… capacities."
Solveig frowned.
"Your `reach`? Arms length, from what I can see. Why would you travel to Taelin? No elves to be killed there."
The fire scoffed.
"You musn't be rude, Solveig. The fact that my spell annihilated a large piece of the Xadian Auxilia should be good enough for you."
"And yet, they are well enough to receive gifts from our dumbest ally."
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"De Peverell. He's given them the dragon we had him stash. Found out about your little trick through indection. Fact that it took them so long to hit upon it only shows we're dealing with children and idiots."
"While the loss of the material is unfortunate, I am no longer troubled by the failure of that awkward first ruse, Minister. Simpler plans will suffice."
"Simpler plans? Such as whipping up a rebellion of the rabble against their child king? He's coming for you, you know."
"Well, well!", the flame snickered, "To be frank, I do not think of them as rebels, Solveig."
"I don't follow."
"They are", the weakening flame flickered and went out, allowing only for a single additional word:
"Bait"