Eccar and Krono exchanged a brief glance of understanding that carried more weight in their mind than words.
Krono gave a single deliberate nod and Eccar understood that they have to keep the act no matter what happens. They have to appear weak, compliant, and harmless.
He remembered what Krono had told him before entering these woods that in this kingdom, strangers who were not Elves were watched with the suspicion of a hawk over prey. The slightest sign of rebellion could trigger an immediate attack, which would force them to defend themselves and probably kill. It was an outcome that would leave Elves dead and their own mission in failure before it even started. They were here to gather information, not bodies.
The three Elves who had captured them led the way up the wide, root-twined steps toward the castle.
