themselves than in the workings of the world around them. Indeed, in many ways they were no longer part of the natural world. Their magic had gone from being a participation in the mystery of life, to becoming a craft whose sole purpose was dominion over the natural world. Such had been the doing of the King of Morag, who demanded the pursuit of such craft, as he deemed it necessary in fortifying his people against the traitor, Morlock.

Even Morlock failed to understand that the power he served had more insidious weapons at its disposal. For his dark Master knew all too well that the key to the destruction of the elves was to destroy their relationship to the world around them, and he accomplished this without the elves knowing it. The elves, to resist their enemy, had to understand the ways of their enemy, and to understand the enemy was to become like the enemy, if only in thought. And the enemy knew,

despite the elves' best efforts, that given time, thought became deed, usually through younger generations who without the benefit of time were blind to the insidious changes that for themselves had taken place at the time of their forebears.

With his back to a tree, and Lily leaning quietly against his chest, Anest began telling her a little about ancient Morag, but stopped when he noticed that all within earshot were listining. "Speak up," said Brogan, "I haven't heard much about ancient Morag." There was general assent, and smiling wryly, Anest said, "Nor do I. No one living is an authority on that period of history, and I am neither an authority nor a storyteller. But I have collected many tales about Morag, and I have




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