But that question about marrying Dolph. Jenny knew the decision wasn't Electra's to make. Maybe the decision on staying wasn't Che's to make either, but that was only because he had passed it on to Jenny. That wasn't any good parallel. The whole situation of the marriage was complicated, and no one would know how it would turn out until it happened. Though they all had a pretty good idea.

Was there something more complicated here? Not a threat but some other factor? For Godiva simply did not seem like the kind to break her word, which was what she would be doing if she dishonored the truce and did anything to Electra or Gloha. In fact, it was Electra's definite impression that Godiva was telling the truth: that she would let Che go if he refused to be Gwendolyn's companion.

Then why was Che balking—and Jenny too—despite what they knew of the siege and Cheiron's determination to free his foal? If Che agreed, it seemed he would be well treated and even free to go outside, because a centaur's word was his bond. If he declined, he would be freed. So he had every reason to decide promptly. Yet he was not doing so—and neither was Jenny.

Electra shook her head, unable to make sense of it. She would just have to go back out and make her report.

"I guess that's it," she said. "We'll go now."

They moved to the door. "Tell Cheiron of our allies," Godiva said. "The land dragons too are coming to support us."

Worse and worse!

They walked up the tunnel and finally emerged into bright daylight. Squinting, they walked to the winged monster camp.

Cheiron met them there, with Chex beside him, and Prince Dolph and Princess Nada in human form. They all looked grimly hopeful.

"It—it's complicated," Electra said heavily. "They aren't letting Che go, exactly, but they aren't exactly holding him either. They want him to decide whether to be the companion of Godiva's daughter, Gwendolyn, and he hasn't decided."

"A decision made under duress would not be valid," Cheiron said. "He knows that."

"Yes. But this doesn't seem to be that, exactly. He—he's having Jenny Elf decide for him, and she hasn't made up her mind. They'll treat him well if he agrees, and let him go if he doesn't. He—seems satisfied. Just not decided."

"There has to be duress," Cheiron said grimly. "We know how to deal with that."

"But there's more," Gloha said. "They have allies."

"Allies? Who? More goblins?"

"The Flower Elves," Electra said, hating it. "The callicantzari. The land dragons. And the naga."

"What?" Nada demanded, shocked.

"Your brother, Prince Naldo, was there. There's an ancient covenant. They have to help the goblins against the winged monsters." There: it was out.

"My own people!" Nada cried, appalled. "I forgot about that covenant!"

Cheiron turned to her. "There is such a covenant?"