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isn’t how everyone sees it. They see you as an upstart, a trouble-maker. To give evidence to their claims, you have helped shift the delicate balance of power between the races further on several occasions.”
    “Such as giving the Blue Jewel to Tomkin.”
    “Yes, and slaying Fafnir.”
    “How can anyone argue that dragon deserved to keep the Orange?” demanded Brand.
    “They don’t, but they would rather not see it being wielded by the Kindred. The Kindred, Brand, are at the core of the entire problem. They are only dangerous when they have a monarch. You have helped give them that monarch, and a Jewel at the same time. Never has the world seen such a combination.”
    “So? What terrible thing might they do with it?”
    “They have enemies, enemies that sleep, enemies so ancient the Kindred themselves have forgotten them all. And these enemies are fearful of the Kindred, especially when they have gained a great power and are filled with purpose.”
    Brand threw up his arms. “I can’t see how I am involved in this. I can’t understand how the Kindred scaring others is a bad thing for the Haven. They are, after all, our allies.”
    “Exactly,” said Myrrdin. His face became thoughtful, almost calculating. “You see, the state of the Kindred is being used to create fear among others. They are a threat, and others are preparing to meet that threat. Your alliance with them doubles that threat. As does the third member of the alliance.”
    “You mean Tomkin.”
    “Yes,” said Myrrdin, as if even the thought of Tomkin annoyed him.
    “So, what are you asking? Speak plainly, man.”
    Myrrdin leaned forward and spoke quietly and intently. “Leave the alliance. Declare neutrality. It isn’t even necessary that the entire River Haven do this, just you, Brand. The rest of the world doesn’t care much about the Riverton Constabulary and their blue fluttering cloaks. It is you and your axe they fear. You don’t need the protection of the Kindred, and they don’t need yours. In fact, you may well keep the peace if you denounce them.”
    “Let’s entertain for a second that I would do such a thing,” said Brand, fighting to keep his voice even. His axe was thumping into his knees and he had to admit it had a point on this occasion. The wizard was clearly not on his side. “What possible good could it do? If our enemies fear to strike due to our strength, then appearing weaker will only embolden them.”
    Myrrdin shook his head determinedly. “No. No, there you are wrong. It is their fear that is driving them. They fear you, and the Kindred, and even Tomkin. They fear you as an unknown, as an upstart. A group of upstarts, if you will, who have banded together and have managed through an alliance to shift the ownership of Jewels willy-nilly.”
    Brand’s fist came down on the armrest of his chair. “Well, I won’t do it. I will not say I am neutral, because I’m not neutral. If any enemy were to strike at Snowdon, I would march to intervene. I believe knowing that helps keep the peace, more than it foments war. Let them worry about what we might do. We are tired of fearing them, of putting our children to bed with terrible stories of stealing hands and of lilting voices that might lure them into the forests.”
    “Brand, you must try to see the wider view—”
    “No! Again, I tell you Myrrdin, no . It is they who must adjust. It is they, the elder races who are set in their ways, who must alter their behavior to accommodate the younger ones.”
    Myrrdin stared at him angrily for several seconds before replying.
    “You think you have won. You think this is all over, because you have outfought them and cheated them a few times. Brand, you don’t understand what you are dealing with. These beings may just wait out your short, flaring lifetime and then swoop down upon your descendants, when they are weak and Ambros is ready for the plucking.”
    “Then I will work hard to make sure our children are