“I am glad that you have returned to me.” Those were the first words out of Atal's mouth as he entered, smiling at where I lay.

“Greetings Ancient,” I replied as I tried to rise from my laying position.

“Stay as you are, rest. I fear we'll need your strength soon.” That was ominous.

“Yes, I suppose Ian told you. Someone betrayed us, tried to have us captured and handed over to Cino. I'm not sure who, but it's important that we find out before they can act.”

The ancient elf's eyes gave me a very, very tired smile. “Unfortunately, attempting to take you was the beginning of their plan, they are already acting. I suspect they wanted to rob the city of your strength, and secure you as their weapon at once.”

I frowned, it wasn't like I was that important. “How bad?” I asked simply.

“Four of the villages you fortified have joined the opposition. While I cannot stand their treason I understand it, seeing what we have in recent years they likely feared for their people. They also know that you were instrumental in bringing down one of their more powerful elders, and some of your invention.”

That was bad news. I'd foolishly thought that it was those I hadn't reached yet that had turned on us, but no, the enemy let me strengthen them before turning their coats. I'd handed over weapons, designs, secure strongholds, or as secure as I could make. They'd played me and I'd danced like a stupid monkey for them. There was something that pinged on my brain though.

“Wait, if they took those, they're already close,” I muttered.

“Yes, though your escape and some quick responses over the last day or two has likely disturbed their plans. It's possible that their leaders don't know you're back with us, or that we know they're coming. We can't depend on that though. Do you have any ideas?” he asked. “For example, that ability you displayed to Ian, to kill quietly.”

“Probably not possible in an open area. Those conditions were very specific. There are a few dangerous things I've been holding onto, but unless they're close and massed...” I ran though some of the nastier chemicals I'd stored in my basement, gasses that could kill, flames that would be difficult to quench, or even impossible. I had things that would've made governments raise eyebrows in my previous world.

“We'll need to use them if we can.”

“How did you learn about their betrayal?” I asked.

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“Ah, runners were sent out about a day before you returned, we realized you weren't on schedule. I just got word back from some of those still loyal that they were attacked when approaching, and tried to keep runners contained. If they did or not remains to be seen,” he answered.

“Have you verified those reports?” I asked, worried that there might be even more traitors in the mix.

“They are as trustworthy as I can get without going myself. Like you though I am considering that they may as well be fraudulent.” Atal was strangely calm about this, then again he was always pretty calm.

“We've got to stop them and soon,” I said, rubbing my forehead.

“Yes, we'll need to quickly kill Cino and his closest before we can slaughter the rest,” Atal said with a nod.

“What if we don't kill the rest? I mean, certainly we'll need to kill the leaders, and anyone even remotely involved with what they're doing to the children. They'll have children of their own though, and those who had no part in this war. If we make an offer of mercy when possible then we might keep them from becoming enemies forever and save at least some lives.”

Atal looked at me for a long time. It wasn't clear at first what he was doing, but then I realized it, he was roaming through his own memories, reliving things that had happened in the past. There were ages behind those eyes, time that I probably couldn't even put well into words.

“I forget sometimes that you are so young Justin,” he said. “You have hope that this could work don't you? That we might allow at least some to survive. I've tried it before, and before all that it led to was more death. I don't think we could, and knowing my reputation they will never accept it anyway. I've not given any mercy to enemies in a long, long time.”

His words pained me. We couldn't keep this up, not as a species. Elves reproduced so slowly, so painfully slowly that every generation mattered, every life mattered. Between the monsters of this world and accidents we barely kept our species going, and war like this? It would be impossible to survive if we started using real weapons and real war. Maybe with the ceremonial things that had been done in the past, but it only took one person like Cino to realize that they didn't have to obey the old laws for it to fall apart.

“Maybe not the men, but the women and children at least?” I asked.

“From my understanding it was a woman who caused the death of your village was it not? Did her sex make her any less deadly? The children I might consider, but the women? Too many youths like you think them sweet and kind, but there are vipers in that nest Justin, and if you let them they'll show you their fangs.” He laughed. “Or have you already forgotten the one you helped me kill? Do you not remember her?”

“I do,” I admitted. “I merely worry that we'll kill ourselves out.”

That took his smile away and got me a thoughtful nod. “Indeed, I've worried about such things myself. Though an odd thing to worry about if you've not even tried to make a child with the woman I sent you isn't it? Certainly that's something you could work on solving yourself? Or do you prefer the one you had visiting you?”

Him having eyes on both Isha and Ida was a worry to me. Was he waiting for something? Would he continue to wait or try something else?

“Ida is a great help, but she wouldn't have a choice if I decided not to give her one. It may be silly in your view, but that bothers me greatly. Keeping others as property bothers me in general,” I told him honestly.

“Well keep her, in case your mind should change. I notice you didn't bring up the other though, Isha? Trying to keep her from my gaze?” He sat down beside me now, almost laughing.

“I would prefer it if she were left out of things,” I said seriously.

“Worry not child, I won't hurt her.” At my continued look he shook his head. “I give you my word, not even if to get at you will I harm the girl. Our enemies might though, so it may do you well to get some protections for her.”

“Would you?” I began to ask.

“If you think that I haven't had people watching both you and your home since you came under my purview you're even younger than I thought,” he now laughed fully, a rare, and slightly scary thing. “Though do try to keep her close.”

“Of course, and thank you.”

“You're quite welcome Justin. Now, soon as you're up to it get back to making weapons, we need them.”

He left me soon after. With the war ongoing and going worse I was sure he had things to do, things that I didn't need or want to know about. I couldn't organize troops, or slay monsters like he could, but maybe I could do enough. The hammer really needed finishing first, but I couldn't neglect some of the nastier surprises I could bring. If Cino and his people wanted to play, we'd play, and they'd sorely regret bringing themselves against me.