So he spoke. He did not tell the truth, save for the final point. As an alternative, though, his version of events was no less credible than the real one.

“You are telling me we’re at war? At war with a race I’ve done nothing to? All because of a league gambit gone wrong? All because you couldn’t tell an enemy from a friend?”

Sire Dagon seemed to have difficulty accepting the entirety of the statement, but he could not settle on which part to take issue with. He answered rather sheepishly, “Ah … yes. In part.” And then, not so sheepishly, “We were not the only ones fooled. But that doesn’t matter. Your Majesty, at the moment I pray that we have the leisure for you to berate our stupidity at length. Now is not the time, though. The Numrek have played us all for fools, and they yet stand outside your door. Your Majesty, they must be exterminated. Right now. Today. This very hour. The vessel the messenger arrived in is stuffed with Ishtat. They are armed and ready, and they will take the palace any moment now.”

“What?” Corinn somehow made the word sound like a spell of damnation.

“It’s all we can do. If the Numrek knew that their brethren have succeeded, they’d begin the slaughter. That’s what they’ve been waiting for, a sign to commence.”

“The Marah. They will—”

“Some will die in the confusion. But others we’ve tried to contact, to explain—”

“You take great liberties!” Rhrenna spoke through teeth that still seemed ready to bite.

“And why should I believe you? The Numrek have never once shown a sign of deceit.”

“Oh, yes they have. Majesty, they’ve written their treachery in blood. In your brother’s blood, I fear. You haven’t seen it, but must you lay eyes on everything to believe it real? As for you, why would I come to you with this tragedy if it were not true? What fool would make up such misfortune?”

Corinn stared at him for a long moment. “If this is true, how would the Numrek learn what happened? They’re not going to pilot a ship back themselves, are they?”

“I … I don’t know,” Sire Dagon sputtered.

“Would one of your people carry the message?”

“No, of course not. They’ve attacked us. We—”

Rhrenna interrupted. “You’re the messenger.”

“What?” Sire Dagon grimaced. “No, I’m here to warn you.”

“You fool,” Rhrenna continued. “If what you’ve said is true, look at what you’ve just done. You walked in here sweating, ashen-faced, nervous. You think the Numrek guards wouldn’t notice that? Then you push us into a secret room! What more confirmation do they need that something grave has happened? And you’re going to attack them? Only a handful of them are on the island. The rest will learn all they need to know because of your actions!”