"I know of no such weapons," said Anest, "though I have used my talisman to temporarily imbue my own sword with such properties."

"Very few such weapons survived to see this age," replied Belloc, "and none of those are left to common knowledge. Scarcer yet is the knowledge to fashion such weapons. But such knowledge is on its way to the dwarf mines of Croft, even as we speak. We may all be swept from the Four Kingdoms, but not without a bitter price to be paid."

Four rafts were soon being prepared to bear the representatives of the Four Kingdoms and their horses. The work went swiftly, as the Fortress on the River Grey was very large, and many people were available to assist. All was nearly ready in a matter of hours, and as the hour of departure drew near, Anest went in search of Lily. He found her alone with Dorain, sitting at the edge of a pier upstream. On seeing him, Dorain waved Anest over.

Anest had to pick his way though elves rolling barrels, leading horses, carrying sacks of oats, bales of hay . . . when he approached the girls, he found Dorain with her leg propped up and Lily staring wide-eyed at the rafts.

"Lily? What is the matter?" he asked, looking to Dorain.




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