"I do not know if I can do that, Elody. He is my brother."

"I do not know." Vrasha said, sadly. "What you're saying is so dark, so terrible. But Kanor is still my brother. I remember him as a kid, you know? You're telling me that he is going to be a monster, and I don't want to believe you."

"The empire will suffer for him." Elody said. "Not now, but in the future. He will turn the world against you. His lusts and desires will grow more and more ****. This I have seen. I know it is hard, I know I am a stranger to you, but please Vrasha, trust me on this. The things I have seen..."

"I do." Vrasha said, and was surprised to see that she did actually. "I do trust you, Elody. You're strange and innocent, and so many people would say not to trust any spirit. But you mean more to me than I expected."

Elody smiled, the sight making her seem warm and inviting.

"Still, what you're saying to me is insane." Vrasha said. "My brother, Kanor will become my enemy? He will turn the world against us? Make me a ****? I don't understand. I don't want to understand."

"Then perhaps you should see for yourself?" Elody suggested. "You are traveling to his castle now, are you not? If you do not wish to believe me, then believe your own eyes and ears. Look and see for yourself, do not allow your preconceived notions to distract you from what is true. Seek out the princess of Silyir. She will tell you the same as I. More, perhaps. She may be an ally to you."

"An ally? You speak like I am going to fight my own brother."

"Perhaps you are." Elody said. "I hope that you are. For if you do not, your people will suffer."

"Why do you care about that?" Vrasha snapped, angry in spite of herself. "You're just a forest spirit. Why do you care that humans are in danger?"

"Because you care, Vrasha." Elody said. "I care because you do. And because it's the humane thing, and the more humane I am, the more human I am. The less I drift away."

"I..." Vrasha looked down,. ashamed of herself. "I am sorry, Elody. it's just.... what you are telling me is hard to accept."

"I know." The spirit said sadly. "Go to your brother's castle,. see for yourself the world he intends to create. Know also that you will always be welcome within my forest. When all others have abandoned you, and you have nowhere else to go, know that you will be safe here. I swear it."