Elise tensed, gripping her sleeves, but managed to keep a smooth face. Her voice, however, wavered slightly.
"I haven't come to speak of myself, Lord Splitbark, but to plead for your support of my cause. We have every intention of saving as many elves as possible, but only with your cooperation can we–"
"Like Talonvein?" Lord Splitbark asked, his tone frosting over. "And Erethdew? Not to mention the dozen or so villages scattered north of here. It was demons who razed them, who piled their children on altars made of their parents' corpses and let their blood run in the gutters."
"So you've heard," Elise whispered, face pale.
"I see you're not surprised," he replied, eyes narrow. "And yet you've chosen to come here anyway. I wonder whether you have as much authority to command the demons as you think you do."
