cheers, Disqualification.

“Most exasperating fool.” a strained, hoarse voice returned, as if each word was a concentrated effort, “Is it such a common sight in this age to see elves, dwarfs, gnomes and humans traveling together?”

“No, my king.” the man watched as the figure inspected its own hands, as if just seeing them for the first time.

“Then it is quite clear it was them I was speaking of. And apparently, they’ve picked another, as these sort often do…” the figure trailed off.

The man kept silent.

“Perhaps it was foolish for me to expect them to take out Downey,” the figure chuckled, then quipped with a terse voice; “Or at least I expected him to take them out. Not I. He is secure, is he not ?”

“Yes, my king.”

“Very good…” the figure reflected. “It is unfortunate your fellows couldn’t deal with these adventurers… it would not be wise to allow them to run loose, as it were, interfering…”

“No, my king.”

“I could still use them, as I did before. My daughter is proving to be too much of a nuisance. Arrange a meeting Lillylend, “the king said, glancing at an elf. “And make it seem as if it was wrought from their own cunning…”

And he let out a laugh as dry and hollow as a death rattle.