All That Is Evil Is Not Dark/Chapter 34

Darin found Tralin's implacable demeanor to be discomfiting. He knew that a war must go one in the king's head. A debate between his home and the loyalties there, and his crown. A debate also between intention and social appearance, but Tralin remained silent, waiting to be spoken to.

"Accept their offer," Darin said finally. "Traditional expectations, alliances, and prejudices have NO place in this decision. We are faced with a simple fact: the Drakel have successfully driven off the Brilhado before, and no conceivable ulterior motive exists behind their search here excepting the possibility that they have found an artifact of value in their struggle. Since their struggle is WITH the Brilhado, it behooves us to act in their favor. We are continents away from Battleonia; the affairs that occur there can only peripherally interest us. What happens in our own backyard is far more important."

"Isolationist viewpoints will not help us, Darin," Jano interjected.

"I am not espousing isolationism; quite the contrary, I am supporting an idea that our culture open itself to places it has NEVER been before, that we take this opportunity for all it is worth. On the grounds that we get a glimpse inside the Drakel world alone, it should be worth any risk, never mind the increasing of relations with them. How can we even consider rejecting it?"

"They want something. They have found something," Jano said.

"That we should probably not keep from them anyway. If it can stop the Brilhado, we should be encouraging its location. We should personally deliver the item to them. Heaven knows we are ill-equipped."

"While we are uncertain we agree with the sentiment that we are ill-equipped, we concur on most everything Darin has otherwise said. He really has spent time with Drakel culture, even if it was among the water casters. It is still not that simple, however. Our own local neighbors will weigh in with our sudden changing of alliance. Your own, Vandarians, may have much ill to say about this situation."

"With respect, your majesty, my own people are even more ill-effected by the undead than Deren. Look at the mess in Neld and at Stone Deep. They will support ANYTHING that opposes the undead armies."

"Very well then, we have made our decision. Call in the emissaries."