head.
"Well there was, that's important. The elves and dwarves were at war, and the elves were wondering if they could drag man into the war on their side. But Turnpike was just there to spread God's word - would speak to whoever was willing to listen - so when the dwarves offered to meet with him, he agreed."
"Wasn't that dangerous?" Maureen asked, a question she'd actually wondered about since first hearing the tale.
"Probably," admitted Rofen. "But he was religious. Probably believed in the protection of the power of God or some nonsense. That's not important, the fact that he met King Larstromer is though."
Rofen stopped and took a big noisy slurp of his tea.
"So much better when it's tepid don't you think?" Maureen nodded before Rofen asked, “where was I?"
"Larstromer."
"Ah, Larstromer. Clever old dwarf, Larstromer. You see he wanted to get man to fight for him but knew Turnpike wanted no part of the war. So do you know what he did, what clever old Larstromer did?"
Before Maureen could react, he continued. "He offered to convert. Said his people would renounce their old gods, would embrace man's God. Would give man the captured elven city Turnpike renamed New Salisbury."
"This city?" Maureen asked.
"Yes, the very same. The dwarves had taken it in the war and the library was partially destroyed but enough remained so Turnpike and his men could study magic freely."
"Sounds like an offer too good to refuse."
"It was, Maureen, it was. But Turnpike was a man of peace, so went back to the elves and told them all Larstromer had offered him. Of course the elves were none too pleased and made their biggest mistake. Do you know what their biggest mistake was?"
"No..."
"Pride. They denounced man's God, insulted him in front of Turnpike, before casting him out of the city. Some say there was a battle, but I think this is just fanciful storytelling. Mankind didn't have a fraction of the abilities the elves have. Either way, with the elves effectively proving to be heathens, and the dwarves now catholic, it brought man into the war and tipped the scales in favour of the dwarves. They've never forgotten it, either."
"I thought relations with the elves had improved?"
"Oh the Friary might have broken away from the Catholic Church little over a hundred years ago, but the elves still view it as that religious organisation that stole magic from them."
"But Ernest told me...” she caught herself, stopped and carefully phrased her words. "I mean, Ernest gave me the impression that there were elves in New Salisbury." He had specifically been moaning about his elven neighbour and his constant habit for late night parties.
"Yes, there are elves, but they're either political or social exiles from the elven lands or spies pretending to be."
"Spies?"
"Most certainly. Diplomatic relations have never been worse. Probably some elf behind Ernest's death."
"But you said he was murdered in London?"
"Don't think the elves don't have human agents in your Realm, just like we have you."
Maureen certainly didn't feel like anyone's agent, but the revelation that the elves could be behind this troubled her.
"You really think so?" she asked.
"It's entirely possible. We might no longer be a religious organisation, although I'll admit we do still retain the names, but the elves have a hatred of human wizards that can only be described as zealotry. If you only knew half the things they're currently up to..."
He stopped mid-sentence and coughed, aware that he was maybe indulging Maureen with information he really shouldn't be imparting.
"Well anyway, the Inquisitor will be with you in the morning," he said, his tone less excited and animated.
Maureen finished her tea in silence and then stood up.
"Thank you Abbott," she said. "It's late. I ought to..."
"Oh yes, yes, certainly," Rofen said, slightly flustered. "I always forget the time difference.
Angus Watson
Phil Kurthausen
Paige Toon
Madeleine E. Robins
Amy McAuley
Robert J. Sawyer, Stefan Bolz, Ann Christy, Samuel Peralta, Rysa Walker, Lucas Bale, Anthony Vicino, Ernie Lindsey, Carol Davis, Tracy Banghart, Michael Holden, Daniel Arthur Smith, Ernie Luis, Erik Wecks
S.K. Epperson
Kate Bridges
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Donna White Glaser