THE WIZARD AND THE SYLPH
Chapter Nine
Some Disturbing News
Anest was awakened from the deep, dream-filled, restorative sleep of the travel-weary by an annoying, persistent knocking at the door. He groaned inwardly when the caller let him or her selfin, uninvited, bringing an air of impatient urgency into their cell.
The caller was Dorain.
"My apologies for this intrusion, but there is to be a meeting in the main hall in half an hour." As Anest lay with his back to her, stretching and groaning himself into wakefulness, Dorain was able to gaze unobserved upon Lily, who was still very much asleep, a half-smile remaining on her lips. For a few moments the elf-woman's mien was softened with envious empathy . . . the momentary otherness of her gaze suffused with a wistful longing of her own.
When Anest at last turned over, opened an eye and considered the elven woman, her composure was restored. Yet to his eyes she seemed reduced in stature, less certain of herself. He frowned. "You appear not to have slept."
Unable to meet his eye, she said quietly, "Sleep is the least of my concerns." Pointedly changing the subject, she said, "I have come here for a purpose. A prisoner is to be exhibited at the meeting. A prisoner," she added with alarming poignance, "from the Burning Lands. I have already informed Belloc of this. And now I'm telling you."