are at war, Verrian, of that there can be no doubt. We will be at war for as long as the Blood Mages and the Dracair continue to send unprovoked attacks against the Protectorate.” Shawnrik spoke with a passion that he had not known that he possessed before that moment, but as each word came forth his voice became firmer and more confident with each syllable.


    Well, if they aren''t going to teach people about the Dracair, I will.


    Good, you should be afraid. I know I am. “I''m not sure, Verrian. I don''t know what the stories here say about the Dracair. I would venture a guess as to say that they are probably worse than the stories though, and if they aren''t...” he shrugged, “the reality is bad enough for me.”


    Are they all blissfully unaware? He found that he was larger than most of the crowd in height, if not in sheer bulk, but there were also adolescent Giant-kin who dwarfed him nearly as much as he did everyone else.


    There must be thousands of us, maybe tens of thousands.


    Light, how am I going to be able to concentrate through class at this rate?


    tainted from the world. Always at the top of that list was anyone who possessed Elven blood who was not a full Elf. Once, long ago, all of the Elves had lived together. As the sect that sought the purification of the Elven race grew to power, the various factions split apart during a time that came to be referred to as The Cleansing.


    She knows who my parents are? As if to answer his unasked question, the Headmistress continued.


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Olivia? It was the gypsy girl from the Blood Orc camp where they had all been held prisoner a year and a half before. How the... his thoughts were cut short as the crowd once again reached a quiet hum under the steady gaze of their Headmistress.


    Women! The thought came unbidden, but after a moment''s consideration, he decided that he agreed with the sentiment wholeheartedly. Shawnrik knew what the talk in the dorms would be tonight and for the next few nights, and it was all because of those damn women. Why did either of them have to do that? A dozen reasons flitted through his mind for each woman, and he didn''t like any of them. A moment later, he thought of a different reason for Olivia''s actions. The thought made him pause, but he vowed not to show that he might be excited about that prospect.