Rolan, who I'd traveled halfway across these lands with smiled at me from atop his wooden throne. He seemed, at peace, satisfied with how things were going, and to be waiting for me to respond.

“So, is your name actually Rolan? Or was that a farce?” I asked lightly.

I heard the gritting of teeth from some of those here with us, but the Ancient just laughed, throwing his head back.

“See, that's what I like about you, you're... different. Too few would dare to make a joke like that, even of my own people, even of the ones I like. It is Rolan by the way, but few use it.”

The guards who'd visibly tensed loosened, though a few still glared at me. It was something to disrespect him here and now, even a little. This was his place, his home, his palace, and I had no doubts that if he wanted he could kill me with little effort.

“Well... I suppose that I've done my duty and delivered my message then. Though you said you wanted clarification?”

“Yes, who killed Atal, truly?”

“Cino, managed to get Atal stuck in the air and that was it,” I answered easily, it was the truth.

“Believable, I've never seen an Ancient fall that way, but others have. I'm sad to hear it, but what is done is done. The real question though is who killed Cino?” He stared at me, eyes boring into mine.

“I did, with a one use weapon.”

“What kind?”

“Made of magical crystals, not exactly something one finds sitting around everywhere.”

His eyes went wide and he leaned back. “That's, certainly effective, well, depending on the type of crystal...”

“He deserved it after the number of children he killed. Mind if I ask one though?” I didn't want him thinking too hard on where I'd gotten such a weapon, of if I could make one again. While I didn't think he'd mean me ill, it was still best to avoid that question.

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“Go ahead.”

“Why were you at the edge of your territory? It doesn't seem like a coincidence.”

Rolan laughed. “Oh yes, I was hearing of the increasing issues at the border. While I didn't want to I did need to consider that I'd have to act. If Cino won, or if he turned his eyes towards our lands next my presence there would have been necessary.”

I sighed a bit. “We really could have used the aid.”

“It was not my place to interfere in the doings of Atal's lands. There are few of us, and even though I liked him as much as I did that might have ended up with us in conflict. We avoid conflict most of the time, that is how me make it to our ages.” Rolan seemed almost saddened by that, but I got the feeling it was the truth.

Atal didn't, as far as I knew, ask for any help. Perhaps if he had Rolan would have sent some form of aid, but that would have displayed weakness, a weakness that would have invited other challengers that he surely didn't want. It also would have put Rolan at risk for a fight that didn't benefit his people at all. Surely neither of them wanted the trouble, and so they kept separate about it.

“Now I have a question,” Rolan said. “Why did you despise Cino so much?”

“He used horrid tactics, destroyed all that stood before him, and on a personal note destroyed my village. I had many reasons to oppose him.”

“But why did you?” he asked once more.

I took some time to think on that. I'd hated him, but for so many reasons. Sure, Atal had come to me for aid against him, but I wanted it to. Was it for the children? Perhaps if he'd just killed a bunch of kids I'd have fled. Was it that pool? While I certainly didn't want people messing with it I would wager there was only so much they could do.

“He killed my family,” I finally answered, the pain in my heart knowing that I would never see my parents of childhood friends again giving the answer.

Rolan leaned back once more, tapping the arms of his throne. “Yes, that is a good reason to oppose someone.”

He looked back at my companions addressing Isha first. “Though we've interacted little thank you for joining these two.”

“Justin needs someone to look after him, else he'll do stupid things like not eat,” she returned with a smile.

“You too Chien, you've much growing to do, but I think this journey will help.”

“Of course it will, boss knows his stuff. Nice tree by the way,” he joked.

“Thank you, I planted it when I was young and I must say it has grown better than I could have ever hoped, an old friend and family member of sorts.” He seemed to find the comment at least a bit amusing.

The old elf turned back to me, still smiling. “I enjoyed our time traveling, and while I'll still have to deny joining you for the rest of your journey I'll extend this invitation. When you are finished you are welcome to return here, I'm sure that I can find a place for you.”

“Thank you, I'll keep it in mind,” I doubted that I'd ever really want to join this nation, but it was clear that he meant it.

“In the meantime I'll have my people prepare you some supplies, to ease your trip.”

With that we were released, perhaps he wanted more, perhaps he didn't care, after all I was sure that he'd seen more than I could imagine. I got the feeling that while he liked me our grouped ranked far lower on his priorities now that he knew there was no direct threat and that Cino hadn't been killed by someone aiming for him too. Then again, what did I know of the priorities of a thousands of years old king? Not much other than that he seemed a bit more relaxed and less bored than the last one I'd met.

We were shown back to the guest room, now deprived of our formerly missing party member. In the time we'd been gone a feast had been arranged though, with plenty of fruits and vegetables, and even a good bit of meat. All of us dug in particularly to the last part, since we'd been lacking in the protein department horribly for the last few days.