“Not alone, for I am certain you’ll need to consult the Queen. I’m here at Pug’s behest.”

At the mention of his childhood friend’s name, Tomas’s expression became concerned. “How is he?”

“Well, I guess. He took Miranda’s death very hard.” The elf said, “I don’t know how such things are with humans, I must admit, but I got a sense of a profound sorrow. Lately, however, as the matters that brought me here have arisen, well, I think he’s coming out of his darkness.”

“That’s good to hear,” said Tomas, adjusting the white tunic he wore when not armored. Even without the helm of gold and the white and gold armor, he was an impressive sight. Laromendis was one of the few beings Tomas met who was taller, yet the Star Elf was still in awe of the imposing Warleader of Elvandar.

“To the point, then,” said Laromendis. “Pug asks if you might be disposed to convey the following to the Lord Regent at E’bar: indications are that the Demon Legion may be arriving in Midkemia soon. Would he be willing to discuss a mutual defense?”

Tomas was silent for a moment, then laughed. “Why is he asking you to ask me?”

“Because I am not particularly in a position to influence the Lord Regent and, frankly, of all of those not of our race on this world, you are perhaps the only being he holds in…”

“Fear?” said Tomas with a slight smile.

“I was going to say respect, my lord.”

Tomas inclined his head slightly, as if considering a question. “Your Lord Regent is a complicated person. He exhibits a certain deference to My Lady and myself, yet I sense he views us with some suspicion.”

“He’s is a proud being, of ambition for our people and himself personally, as well.” Laromendis continued, “My brother and I have spent more time here than any Taredhel, so we begin to understand, at least a little, how profound the Eledhel ties to this world, this Home, are.” He fell silent a moment, then said, “But even we have no doubt that our branch of this far-flung family is…”

“Superior?” supplied Tomas with a slight narrowing of his eyes.

“I was going to say more highly advanced.” He glanced around the room, fashioned from within the living bole of a majestic “Star,” as Laromendis’s people called these magnificent trees. “There is a fundamental rightness here, Lord Tomas. Those who remained here kept intact an unbroken line of service, remaining in harmony with the most fundamental aspects of our world.

“We who fled the Chaos Wars took with us what we could carry, nothing more, and out of that humble beginning a ragged band of refugees conquered the stars.” He looked Tomas directly in the eyes for perhaps the first time and said, “If we tend to be arrogant, we earned the right.”