Ellumyn's eyes hardened "I don't think I like what you are implying."
"I'm not implying anything," Stefi protested. "I don't know enough to imply. I'm just saying...
"...that you'd rather stay in a human village than here."
Jeez, this guy's touchy, Stefi thought. Aloud. "This camp seems to be cut off from the outside world. It's not the ideal place for me to learn about what's going on."
"What is there to know?" Ellumyn demanded. "The humans encroach on our lands, ever forcing us back with their iron. No sooner is the ink of a treaty dry than they look for loopholes. We've just decided not to tolerate it anymore."
I could've sworn I saw some humans in this encampment, Stefi mused. I think this guy's an almond and cashew short of a nut mix. "That doesn't mean humans are all bad."
The elf snorted derisively. "No; a few manage to rise above their socological defects."
"Tell you what," Stefi said, keeping her voice level with effort. "I really do want to understand what's going on. I can come back to visit, ask you some questions as they occur to me." And talk to some other people in the camp who are a little friendlier, she thought
Sun Sep 30 13:42:20 2001