The interior of the house is rustic, but really comfortable. There are some impressive swords in the main room, and I wonder how well they have been used...
Brann serves us a hot drink, which looks like tea and which I drink with delight, as an intense comfort after an exhausting walk. Finally, exhausting only for me, because Lijdel doesn't seem to be affected : she's already starting to discuss with Brann about her unpleasant appointment that very morning, and I'm trying to follow the conversation despite the avalanche of unknown names. I can only just spot "Basst" and "Enthielam", the two empires that apparently threaten the small kingdoms in between.
When she finishes her story, there is a silence, during which Brann seems to meditate on the information he has just received. Then, he finally said, in a bear voice :
_ Lijdel... still running around the world to save Arkin...
_ I have to, Brann !
_ Maybe... but one day you may have to think about settling somewhere, having a real life... I've always known you living in the woods, never two days in the same place. You will end up exhausted, or fall into a situation from which you will not be able to escape this time.
_ Bran, I can't abandon Arkin! If I don't try, who will ?"
Lijdel has flashes in her eyes, her voice is full of anger. Bran keeps quiet for a moment, then resumes :
_ For Baklourin to betray us so suddenly, there are only two possibilities. Either Basst convinced Baklourin to become a kind of outpost, threatening them on the transport of wheat, for example. Either it was Enthielam who promised them more, and in this case it was to keep Arkin in a pincer.
_ But if it is Basst, Enthielam will react very quickly. And the reaction could be to invade Arkin, in order to directly threaten Basst. And we are defenceless, our armies are not ready, and even ready we know that we will not be able to hold on... Is there anything else we can do ? Are we submitting immediately to Enthielam to avoid the worst ? "
There's almost a sob in Lijdel's voice. Brann keeps quiet for a moment and then resumes :
_ Urkel will remain faithful to us, but his help will not be enough, they are in the same situation as us. So we now need to find support elsewhere. And I only see one possibility left. Kalten never wanted to hear about it, but... we no longer have a choice.
_ What support are you talking about ?"
Bran's eyes are getting harder.
_ The wizard lords of Diglath.
_ What ? But...
_ I know, Lijdel. But they are the only ones who can make Basst and Enthielam tremble.
_ Are you serious ? But at what cost ? And why would they even want to help us ?
_ First because they hate Basst and Enthielam. But also because we have something that belongs to them, and that they would surely like to find.
_ To the point of helping us ? What is this thing ?
_ A sword."
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