The Mad Dog of the Duke's Estate

In the council chamber of Aileen...

A tense atmosphere loomed over the council chamber as an unexpected guest arrived.

"...Release him," the High Elder ordered.

"But, High Elder! This man used the village elder of Nenya as a human shield!" Renda shouted.

"I said release him. He is not our enemy," the High Elder repeated.

Baltho, the High Elder and leader of the elves of the Eastern Great Forest, pressed his fingers to his temple as he spoke.

At the center of the chamber stood a massive round table, encircling a young World Tree sapling. Seated around it were five council members, each watching the guest with unwavering gazes.

"Oh, come on, I already told you I'm innocent," the guest complained. "Why is it so hard to take my word for it?"

"My mistake," Baltho said. "Caron Leston. I did not explain the situation to the guards in detail."

"Why not?" Caron asked.

"You already know the answer to that," Baltho said, then studied the young human before him with a complicated expression.