18
‘When you say “soon”, do you mean “before Crystobel Elvyng could conceivably do anything else to impede us”?’ I said.
‘Precisely. If the Elvyngs possess such knowledge yet have not chosen to make it public, we can always employ the defence of ignorance. But not if we engage in the kind of delay that might lead to intentions becoming known, and measures taken to prevent unauthorised explorations or inconvenient discoveries.’
‘The mines don’t belong to them, after all,’ I said. ‘Presumably they are still the property of the Yllanfalen.’
‘Whether they might have an agreement with Aylligranir, or are operating independently and without the queen’s knowledge, might prove an interesting point,’ agreed Milady. ‘But not yet a relevant one.’
‘Speaking of Aylligranir,’ I said. ‘Did they send
