“They can’t stay here!” snarled a grumpy old gnome, eyeing the 2 humans with considerable disdain. “They are responsible for Yolen’s death.”
Melos stepped forward with an air of defensiveness. The grave look on his downcast face soured as he retorted, “Have you no sense of gratitude?”
“Gratitude?” The older gnome bellowed with rage. “You want us to be grateful to these humans because they killed Yolen?”
“They did not kill Yolen! It was an unfortunate tragedy.”
“It’s all the same! He would have been alive today if your son didn’t drag these wretched humans into our warren.”
“You saw the condition Jake was in. Are you suggesting that he should have left him to die?”
“Yes! That’s exactly what I am suggesting! At least Yolen would have been alive today.”
“This is preposterous! You are a
