Lily said nothing, and using this moment as an opportunity to be by herself, left Anest alone with Dorain, and went walking aimlessly along the ledge. Dorain studied the two of them in silence as he watched Lily go, but he seemed not to notice. More to distract himself than to make conversation, he said, "Do you think there will be any more trouble before we reach the Fortress?"
Speaking intuitively, Dorain replied, "I will help you to watch over Lily." Then, to broach a matter that concerned her, she said, "The enemy has somehow contrived to slip through our net in large numbers, and we seem unable to stop them. But for you and Belloc, we might have come to a sorry end. Yet I do not think your presence came as any surprise to them. In truth, my heart misgives me, for I believe this incident has enlightened our enemy, and I think that he expected to be so
enlightened. I believe the enemy was testing the two of you as much as Lily. Perhaps . . . perhaps he fears what you may do for her, or teach her to do for herself."
Anest was somewhat disconcerted by the shrewdness of the elf's guesses, but rejoined candidly, "Wizard and apprentive or no, I doubt that we could withstand another such attack, even close as we are to the Fortress. As it is, Brogan and I are without swords, and this is not a defensible area. This company is far too vulnerable."