‘Will you tell me what you did with the gemstones? To make them work again.’

‘It wasn’t me. The Queen absorbed all the essence in her vicinity when she awoke. You happened to be close, hence your gemstone cracked. Then you moved from her, and the faelin could reach the stones again.’

‘Who’s this queen?’

‘Amrith.’

‘Oh. I see.’

‘I don’t doubt it, Herald.’

‘I thought you were talking about your wife every time you mentioned this queen.’

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‘Oh my, no. I have a lovely wife. But Amrith, I would not ever wed. Her marriage had only brought chaos and desolation upon mankind.’

‘I’m afraid I’m not familiar.’

‘Few are.’

‘Hmph. What do you know about her? Isn’t it a bit sinister to call someone the same name the people call this land?’

‘You get it wrong. The land is called after what the people called her.’

‘Should we be wary of her?’

‘Yes. But soon she shall stop. Then … well. What happens then is a great question, one to which I might not know the answer. But I’m convinced you’ll … we’ll figure out something.’

‘Yes. We will figure out something. Don’t worry, Sire.’

‘Thank you, Idamin.’