And I might have kind of told the elves he wouldn't go home and encourage all his friends to try it. Stealing is fucked up. In a society like the elf one, it probably does mean that people are gonna go hungry or not be able to take time off work when they're sick or not be able to travel or marry, and it means people can never ever feel safe, and things can be magic or sentimentally valuable.

I know; I'm not saying they're right. I don't steal, I know what a big deal it can be. But I'm not sure we're going to be able to keep them alive, here - kobolds need companionship like Quendi need beauty and they're terrified of you.

Because we look vaguely like elves?

That can't be helping, but most kobolds are like this about anybody who isn't a kobold. Even I'd've had some trouble if I hadn't had time to get used to the idea before I came here.

Are there any kobolds really far away from elves?

Somewhere, I bet, but I have no way to find them.

Can't do it the way we found humans in our world?

Mm-mm. I can look for places where there aren't many people, but I can't check that none of the people are elves.

Stupid idiot.

Sigh.

Do you need anything from me?

Might want you to come in and sit with us, see if they remember you and that helps. Later, though.

Okay. 

And he gets back to his neglected work.

And she gets in touch with Maitimo. Hey.

What do you need?

Nothing right now; I just talked to Tyelkormo, though, and they told the elves we're not going to send Tirinquo home.

We still can. 

Yeah.

They are enspelled.

So their tribe won't take them? They can tell if a spell has ever been cast on someone? No way to hide it?

Their tribe might take them anyway, they're from far enough away that they might have different customs about that. But it won't help, and they can't hide it - I can go with them and talk to their speaker about it if their tribe lets me get that close; that might be enough, but I won't know until we're there.

Well, they're welcome back here if it does not work out.

Thank you.

How much does it matter if Tyelkormo finds out we broke their promise?

I really don't think he'll care. 

Mm - I think I'll play it safe anyway, they were in kind of a mood. We'll go in a couple days, the story is I'm taking the time to find a different tribe to send them to.

Okay. I think he's just upset at the idea of people stealing from us some things we need to win the war.