~ TARKYN ~
Harth turned slowly to meet his eyes. "You think… No, Tarkyn, You can't know… Zev and Sasha got us out of the grip of the humans. They trust them—believe in them."
"Them, or Sasha?" Tarkyn said, his face grim. He traced the hair back from her temples, behind her ear. "Harth, there is real fear out there. Fear of Zev. He's looking… erratic. Unwise. Aggressive. If we go meet Elreth tomorrow and she responds as I think she will—with calm and dignity and humility—and Zev continues to spit hate and aggression… If Sasha pushes for peace and Zev for war… who do you think they'll follow? And where will that leave the pair of them?"
"No," Harth said, shaking her head as if to push the thought away. "It can't be that bad. They're just nervous."
"They're more than nervous, Harth. They came expecting a new life. They've been held too tightly since they arrived, and now that they're finally able to see a future… now Zev wants to make them fight again?"
