ELIA
Elia blinked and shushed Aymora, confused. What had happened? What was Aymora talking about?
"I… I thought there was peace now?" she said nervously. Was Reth still fighting this war?
But Aymora growled in her throat, her tears seeming to dry in the face of her rage. "As long as that wolf lives, this war simmers beneath the surface," she said, her voice low and dark, rough with tears. "From the beginning we have learned that some from the tribes left believing that, if they found they were wrong to go with the wolves, they would be received back by their merciful King. Reth has… he has had to harden himself, Elia. And he is right to do it. You have to see it. You have to encourage him to be strong!"
Elia stroked her hair and shushed her again, still confused and uncertain. But seeing that Aymora was genuinely frightened… of Reth's mercy?
"Reth is good and strong and wise," she whispered. "I'm sure he wouldn't—"
