“Kinda’ hard to prove a negative,” Blaze points out. “Not like we have tabs on every child who was in the Nexus at the start of Winter. Unless we find some evidence they did get hurt, Pelsor’s word is all you’re gonna get. My gut says she didn't make it up, though.”

She gestures down the Plaza. “I’m on patrol, so you’re gonna have to walk with me.” She will, at least, slow her relentless stride to let the human keep up. “I don’t know what their objectives were exactly. If I had to guess I’d say they were keeping us suppressed while they plundered the place and set up their base. But Pelsor said something about following Reynard’s rules, so maybe they were helping with his game.

“If you’re asking why they were hostile in the first place, anyone who isn’t Fallen is a viable raiding target, and most of the people here are human. They’re at war with humanity. Plus, you know, you were allied with a Guardian. Under my protection. If they followed me here, they knew that already.”

As for his second question, she grunts. Reluctantly, she says, “We’re counting on the Fallen code of honor, here. Not the kind of guarantee I’d like. But it means a hell of a lot to them. So long as we don’t break the truce, I don’t think it matters how the odds change around.”