Etri and Thomas

I glanced at her and saw her jaw set with determination, and sharp excitement in her eyes. When we were several hundred feet from the castle, she said, “I did it.”
“Did what?” I asked.
“I created options,” she said. “It was always possible that Etri was holding Thomas because he wanted a ransom, but that apparently is not the case. He wants blood. I wasn’t able to convince Etri to drop the charges against Thomas. But between Cristos and me, we convinced him that holding him prisoner in his own demesne made it appear as though vengeance was more important to him than justice.”
I lifted my eyebrows. “How does that change anything?”
“Baron Marcone, as host of this gathering, offered to hold my brother prisoner until the matter had been settled through an Accorded emissary.” Her eyes flashed. “My brother is being transferred to the castle.”
“Still don’t see how that changes anything,” I said.
“Negotiations begin in earnest tomorrow night,” she said. “Here. Not in svartalf territory.”
I took a slow breath. “Oh no. Tell me you’re not thinking what I think you’re thinking.”
“My brother will be here, in a building I know, and everyone will be preoccupied,” she said. “And I won’t be violating svartalf borders. I can work something out with Marcone after. He’s reasonable about business.”
She stopped and turned to face me, slate grey eyes as hard as stone.
“I tried to be reasonable. Etri declined to meet me halfway. It’s time to create a better position. So, tomorrow night, while everyone is distracted, I’m taking my brother back. I’m going through anyone who gets in the way.”
Oh, Hell’s bells. I knew what came next.
So much for the diplomatic solution.
Her teeth showed very white as she saw my dawning comprehension. “And I’m calling in my second favor. You, Sir Knight, are going to help me.”


Peace Talks Chapter 21, Page 211-212