"We have felt it," Damond muttered, speaking for all of them. "Yet under the circumstances, is this not to be expected?"
Prince Wilkin remained silent for several moments. At last, making a conscious effort to rally himself, he cleared his throat discreetly, apparently deciding to change the subject, though he did allow himself a private inward smile at the sight of Dorain's and Brogan's interlaced hands.
"I have no illusions about Alin's defensibility, but here we must make a stand, and exact a harsh penalty from the enemy. The four of you are no doubt well-aware that Alin must not be fully deserted until after Lund falls and is fully evacuated.
"That said, what news, Gart of Darkhun? Will your King not evacuate his people? Is his yet his intent to hole up in the mountains?"
"My King will not evacuate," Gart told him, and it was clear that he was troubled. "The Dwarvish people will not leave the sight of their ancestral mountains. They will stay and fight to the last woman and child. In their minds, they think that they will teach the Enemy to fear the mountains of Darkhun. In their hearts, however . . . they believe that, were our homeland to fall, it would be better that our people fall with it.