"We have reason to believe that it is still there," said the general.
Dougal looked at Riona, who from her uncertain expression fully expected Dougal to leap to his feet and try to find the nearest exit. Instead he remained seated and said, "Why do the Vigil want a charr artifact?"
"We don't," said Almorra. "Your human queen wants it."
"Very well," said Dougal, feeling as though he were being lectured by an asura, "why does Queen Jennah want it?"
"She wants to give it back to the charr," said Almorra, and Dougal shot a glance at Riona. She said nothing but was scowling.
Dougal shook his head and said, "Obviously I missed a step here."
General Soulkeeper leaned forward and put her paws on the table. "Your people and mine, we have been fighting for how long?"
"Since the Searing," said Dougal.
"Longer," said Almorra. "When man first came to Tyria, the charr were here. All its lands were our hunting grounds, all its creatures our prey. Your people drove us northward to found their kingdoms, and resisted us when we rightfully sought to regain our lands." Riona stiffened at Almorra's words but said nothing. Again, the sense of challenge was in the charr general's voice.
"Since then there have been victories and reverses for both sides," she continued. "The human nations are now gone from east of the Shiverpeaks, with the exception of the fortress city of Ebonhawke, which has been besieged for generations."
"A siege that has so far failed, I should note," said Dougal, feeling he had to speak up for his original home.
"And the conflicts between charr and man have blown hot and cold for generations. But now there stands a chance for peace," said Almorra.
"I find that hard to believe," said Dougal.
"Both sides are tired," said Almorra. "And both sides have other worries in their lives. The humans have been driven back on numerous fronts, almost to the gates of Divinity's Reach itself. You are plagued by marauding centaurs and human brigands.
"Similarly," the general went on, "three of the charr legions stand united: Blood, Iron, and Ash. The fourth, the Flame Legion, which once commanded the other three, stands against us. And the ogres have come down from the Blazeridge Mountains, seeking land for their herds."
"And Ascalon is haunted," added Dougal.
"And Ascalon is haunted," agreed Almorra. "The legacy of the Foefire."
"So, how does the Claw fit in?" said Dougal.
"A peace faction has grown among the charr," said Almorra, then stopped. "Perhaps I give my people too much credit. Call it a truce faction. They seek to end the hostilities with Ebonhawke, so that they may better deal with the Flame Legion and other matters."
"And the humans, as you've noticed," said Riona flatly, "have other foes as well."
"The Vigil has been acting as go-betweens," said Almorra. "We have human agents in Divinity's Reach and charr crusaders in the Black Citadel. The discussions have been extremely secretive to date. There are humans-and charr-who would reject out of hand any attempt at peace and ban our order for promoting it."
The charr general leaned forward again. "The discussions have gotten to the point that the charr legions have agreed to open formal negotiations, combined with a cessation of hostilities. But they want a sign of good faith from the humans."
"The Claw," said Dougal.
"The Claw," said General Soulkeeper.
"What is in all this for you?" asked Dougal.
"The Elder Dragons," said Killeen, and Dougal looked at her. She had been listening intently throughout the discussion. "If the humans and charr can stop fighting, you hope they can turn their armies against Zhaitan, Kralkatorrik, and the others."
Riona nodded curtly, and Almorra said, "The sylvari have a talent for cutting to the heart of the matter."
"Do the legions know the Claw is in Ascalon City?" said Dougal.
"They suspect," said the general. "But those who have attempted to find it have never come back out. You did."
"I was lucky," said Dougal, more to himself than anyone else.
"We could use that luck again," said Almorra.
There was a long silence in the room. At last Dougal said, "You are completely mad."
"The world is mad," General Soulkeeper observed. "We merely have to deal with it."
"All of Ascalon is haunted. Ascalon City is the heart of the Foefire and is overrun with ghosts. There is a reason the legions have never conquered it," said Dougal.
"Yet, you went there. And came out alive," said the general.
"I was young," said Dougal, "and stupid." He looked at Riona, but the other human's face was as unexpressive as a stone.
"And yet, you are alive," said Almorra.
"No," said Dougal, "I am sorry, but I am not interested in returning to Ascalon City."
The charr general, leader of the Vigil, blinked, and her ears flattened. "You agreed to come here."
"I agreed to listen to your proposal," said Dougal. "I did that. Now I am saying no, because you are chasing a madman's dream, and I will not be part of it. I'd like to go now." Dougal stood up, hefting his small pack over his shoulder. Killeen and Riona also stood up, but more slowly.
Another silence, and Dougal could almost feel the tension gathering in the room. Finally, General Soulkeeper stood up and said, "Of course. I'd like you to think about it, but I will respect your decision. If you could wait outside for a moment, I'd like to speak with Crusader Riona."
Dougal looked at Riona and raised an eyebrow, but the other human kept her eyes fixed on the general. Dougal and Killeen left the room, the hylek Naugatl opening the door to escort them back to the waiting area. As he closed the door to the meeting room behind him, Dougal caught Almorra's rising voice: "You mean you never told him what we wanted…" Then the door closed and muffled the angry voice of the charr general.
In the waiting area, Dougal sat down and looked at his hands. Killeen remained standing.
"I'm not afraid," started Dougal. "I want you to know that-"
"I'm going," said Killeen.
Dougal looked up and saw the sincerity in the sylvari's face. "Killeen, you don't know-"
"No, I don't," she said, "but I want to find out. I think what they're doing is for the best. For humans. For charr. For everyone."
Dougal shook his head, but Killeen pressed on. "Your races are fortunate. You've been here forever. My people have been here twenty-five years and have never known a world where the Elder Dragons were not present, gnawing at the corners of our lands, bringing us zombies and abominations and all forms of twisted creatures in their wake. My people are here for a reason-I think the dragons are that reason-and if I can do anything to help the other races put aside their squabbles and turn to the greater danger, I will do it."
"Killeen," said Dougal, "even the charr legions give Ascalon City a wide berth. It is a city filled with ghosts."