"It is... strange to them," Tolan admitted honestly, although he seemed rather distracted. Something Irzen had said was playing at the back of his mind, he just couldn't quite put a finger on it. "Your people and the Elves have been at war for centuries," he went on to explain. "Though at this point, I'm not so sure anyone remembers what the original conflict was about. Still, we of Yarfell consider ourselves, if not the allies, then certainly in harmony with the Wood Elves. To the Wood Elves, you are the enemy, and by that token, the friends of the Wood Elves consider your people to be the enemy as well. I am sorry, but it is the truth," he apologized, spreading his hands in a gesture of helplessness. "As a result, there is not a lot of willingness amongst the people to simply open their arms and embrace your offer. There is also the question of your motivation. Some feel that your offer was entirely self-serving, that you came to Yarfell simply to seek money and supplies to fuel your own quest for revenge for what Venger did to you. But by all means, not all of my people believe this, Captain. Many are thankfully a little more sensible."
He sighed, resisting the urge to pace. What was it that the Captain had said? What was triggering some thought that he couldn't quite reach?
"The Princess believes your sincerity and is grateful for your help," he went on, gesturing to the royal commission. "Else you would not have that. I wonder, though, if she is expecting a miracle. She, and many of the people of Yarfell who have faith in your offer, might believe that your hundred and fifty men can bring a screeching halt to Venger's army of ten thousand. You can do significant damage, I am confident. But you cannot do it all alone. We will need to raise an army of our own. That much I can do. As you and I are both aware, a man fighting to defend his home is worth ten hired soldiers. Still, as you suggest, if we can secure the help of the Wood Elves and the Swan May-"
The Swan May.
That was it.
Irzen had been right, that moving the orc army through the Forest of Macul would bring swift retaliation from its inhabitants. Several times in the last few days, Tolan had pondered every possible plan that Venger might have come up with to move his army safely through those woods. Now, suddenly, it spun into crystal-clear focus.
Stopping in the middle of his sentence, Tolan stood gaping in shock at the utter simplicity of Venger's probable plan. "That little girl!" he blurted suddenly. "Ingeld, the one rescued from Venger's fortress! She was a Swan May child, was she not?
