The next morning, Ethan woke early and said his farewells to Faelith while they were still within the palace chambers, even before the sun had fully risen above the horizon.
He did not accompany her to the gates. Quite the contrary.
He let her go alone, and before doing so, he ordered his soldiers to treat her—and every member of her entourage—with the utmost coldness and contempt.
All to give the impression that the elf was being expelled from Goldenveil, without a shred of respect or recognition.
Faelith was not at all pleased with the arrangement, of course, but she knew exactly what Ethan was aiming for.
The ideal scenario was to make it seem she had made no progress whatsoever in the negotiations and had left the palace humiliated.
The spies scattered throughout Goldenveil, with no idea of what had actually taken place within those walls, would rush to carry the news to their lords.
They, in turn, would likely move to ask for Faelith's assistance without hesitation.
