Galthor's eyes narrowed. "No one? Then let me ask a different question." He looked directly at Lord Doveling. "Why are you still here? The Xyrrh never planned to share the core's treasures. You were going to betray the others after they helped you eliminate the barbarians."
Lord Doveling's antenna went completely still. Around him, Casper and Alpha Carter turned with sudden suspicion.
"Is that true?" Alpha Carter growled.
"Of course it's true." Galthor's voice was almost conversational now, but the power still pressed down on everyone like a weight. "The Xyrrh have been playing their own game from the start. Why do you think they took no casualties fighting their Fiendish monster? Because they didn't fight it. They avoided it, waited for you to weaken yourselves, and planned to strike when you were vulnerable."
"Lord Doveling?" Casper's hand moved to his weapon. "Explain."
The Xyrrh leader was silent for a long moment. Then, surprisingly, he laughed.
