The gathering started with an emotional outburst from the giant monarch, setting a tense tone before the meeting had even properly begun.
Rendry Pardera was the first to respond, his voice tight with offense.
"There's no need for disrespect toward the king," he said. "Especially not after all the reinforcements we have sent."
"Huh. The king." Thrumgar's crystal eye flared. "He's your king. Not mine. And you dare call what you've sent reinforcement?"
The giant's voice carried the frustration that had been building for far too long.
The high elf King Ellendir exhaled slowly.
"Let's not open this meeting with a fight."
He turned toward Valder, keeping his tone deliberately even.
"Please. Continue."
Valder let the giant's outburst pass without comment. He had clearly expected some degree of hostility, and moved straight into the matter that had brought them together.
