prisoners in open disgust, in part because some had never before seen a human, in part because they knew by the captives' bound hands and Galaeron's Tomb Guard cape that these were crypt breakers. Vala and her warriors did their best to fulfill expectations by sneering and glowering, but no one seemed to take these threats seriously. Galaeron wondered how that might have changed had they witnessed what he had beneath the tomb of the Vyshaan.
By the time they began to traverse Moondark Hill toward the Hall of the High Hunt, a small band of elderly elves had completely encircled the humans. Though none rose any higher than the chest of Vala's shortest man, they did not hesitate to laugh at the captives and make fun of their barbaric appearance, often in languages they knew the prisoners could understand. Though Galaeron could see the humans chafing under this abuse and would certainly have been insulted by it himself, he did nothing to prevent it. To Vala's great credit, she had only to issue one stern command to rivet the eyes of her men straight ahead and render them unresponsive to the mockery.
Finally, the tallest of the elves pulled back his hood and stepped to Galaeron's side. 'Glad homeagain, young Nihmedu,' he said in Elvish. '1 see you've brought us some crypt breakers.' Galaeron looked over to find himself looking at a moon elf with silver hair and a dignified bearing borne of great age and long service.
He bowed without stopping and answered in Elvish, 'Lord Duirsar.'
The elf lord nodded to someone behind him, then the tomb master, Kiinyon Colbathin, stepped up on the other side. His expression was far easier to read than High Lord Duirsar's-and Galaeron had good reason to wish it was not.
'We've been given to understand that in addition to losing your patrol, you could not wait to make your excuses,' the tomb master said, sneering at Melegaunt's back and speaking in Common. 'I hope it took more than these five.'
Allowing herself a luxury she denied her men, Vala spun on the elf. 'It wouldn't have taken that many, had 1 intended them harm.'
'That's enough, child.' Melegaunt forced Vala up the path. 'Let the fools have their fun. We will make our case to the elders.'
Galaeron had to restrain a smile. Whether Melegaunt knew it or not, he and the other humans were already making their case. The elves abusing them were the Hill Elders, and they had already begun the trial that would determine whether the crypt breakers lived or died. Kiinyon Colbathin reached out and shoved Melegaunt hard, causing him to trip and stumble into Vala.
Melegaunt merely raised his chin and continued on without speaking, as did Vala. Kiinyon shoved the wizard once more. When Melegaunt made no response except to catch himself before he stumbled into Vala, the tomb master turned his acerbic tongue on Galaeron.
'So, how did the great Galaeron Nihmedu lose his patrol to a band of thieving human murderers? Tell us.'
'Be careful who you call thieves and murderers.' Vala did not look back as she spoke. 'We took nothing and killed no one.' Lord Duirsar cocked a querying brow, and Galaeron nodded.
'That much is true,' he said. 'We tracked them through an opened tomb, but they left the bodies and treasure untouched.'
Galaeron went on to recount how he followed the crypt breakers into the dwarven working beneath the tomb and found them using a beholder to disintegrate a section of wall. Kiinyon Colbathin raised his brow and regarded the humans with newfound respect, for he knew himself how difficult the creatures were to destroy, much less enslave. Galaeron went on to describe how the beholder had killed Aragath and how the humans had refused to surrender but avoided fatal attacks. Vala could not help pointing out here that had she not restrained her men, the matter would have ended with the death of Galaeron's patrol, which would have been a much better outcome for everyone concerned.
Noting the look of condemnation that flashed through Kiinyon's eyes, Galaeron found himself wondering if the woman was trying to get herself killed. He went on to explain how he had heard Melegaunt calling for help then ruptured the Sharn Wall by ordering his patrol to attack the phaerimm with magic missiles.
'You, Galaeron? Puncturing the Sharn Wall?' scoffed Kiinyon. 'You've always had a high opinion of your talents, but this is a bit much even for you.'
Lord Duirsar was not so quick to dismiss the account. 'Kiinyon, if he didn't rupture the Sharn Wall, how do you explain the phaerimm?' The high lord shook his head in despair. 'Galaeron, how did you do this thing?'
Melegaunt turned to address them. 'Not that Galaeron has any need to explain himself to you, but the fault wasn't his. It was an unfortunate, ah, blending of magic that ruptured the Sharn Wall. If there is any blame, it belongs on my shoulders, not his. I should have foreseen the possibility. Now, if you will excuse us, good lords, we really must be on our way.'
Melegaunt grabbed Galaeron by the elbow and pulled him up the trail, and it was only then that Galaeron realized they had reached their destination. The Hall of the High Hunt was a great colonnade of soaring shadowtops that enclosed the Singing Spring of Solonor Thelandira, a gurgling fountain of silver waters whose sacred melodies could cure any wound. Dynod and Ehamond were already disappearing between the trunks of two shadowtops, holding Takari aloft between them and calling for High Huntsman Trueshot.
'I know all elves share a special bond, but we must alert the Hill Elders,' Melegaunt said, still unaware of who had been tormenting him. 'Remember, we have only until nightfall.' 'Until nightfall?' echoed Kiinyon. 'Why until nightfall?' 'In good time,' said Melegaunt. 'Now, as I said-'
'It is only a guess.' Galaeron ignored the wizard's insistent tugging and continued to address the tomb master. 'In truth, they may be free already, but this human laid some spells that he hopes will delay them until this evening.'
'This evening?' Lord Duirsar cast an uneasy glance at Kiinyon. 'That is no time at all.'
Melegaunt glanced thoughtfully from Galaeron to Lord Duirsar then finally seemed to realize to whom he was talking and stepped forward to address the elf lord. 'Milord, I know the time is but an instant by elven measures, but I assure you that if you can spare me only a small company of wizards and three high mages, I will have the situation under control before then.'
Lord Duirsar stared at Melegaunt as though he were mad. 'You, human? I should say you have done quite enough.' He turned to Kiinyon. 'Gather what forces you need, Tomb Master, though I agree with the crypt breaker in this much: a high mage or two may be in order, if their studies can be interrupted.'
'If?' Melegaunt growled. 'Milord, perhaps I did not explain clearly enough. You will need me and three high mages-' 'Do not presume to tell me what I need,' said Duirsar. 'Evereska was old before your ancestors left their caves. I think us more than capable of cleaning up any mess you can make.'
'It is a wonder your head is not as pointed as your ears!' Vala snapped. She stepped toward the elf lord and instantly found herself facing the tips of a dozen sharp swords, Galaeron's among them. She stopped but seemed completely nonplussed. 'You have no idea who you-'
'That is enough, my dear.' Melegaunt raised his hand to silence her. 'If the elves will not accept our help, there are others who will.'
'Perhaps so, but they will be difficult to reach from the inside of a bone cage,' said Kiinyon. 'Evereska is not in the habit of freeing crypt breakers.'
Kiinyon glanced around the crowd, and Galaeron realized he was already calling for the Hill Elders' verdict.
'If it pleases the council, I should point out that the tomb they broke was Vyshaan,' said Galaeron. While Melegaunt was being both presumptuous and rude in assuming the ancient magic of elves to be less than his own, his only intention was to help, which bound Galaeron in honor to speak on behalf of the humans. 'The humans stole nothing. They meant no harm, and in truth the only harm they did was to a clan reviled of gods and elves alike.'
Kiinyon Colbathin regarded Galaeron coldly. 'And what of the lives lost? The lives of your patrol?'
'That was fate's doing,' said Galaeron. 'And if not fate's, then my own.'
This drew a soft whistle from Vala, who said softly, 'The worm grows a spine…'
Galaeron ignored her and gestured at Melegaunt. 'All the humans save this one were our captives when the phaerimm attacked, and I owe it to him that any of us survived.'
'So you say the humans committed no crime?' asked Duirsar. 'The council should not rush to judgment.' As
