[ Well: that was extremely unsettling. He took a breath, settling himself without glancing at the others in the small room, before raising the quartz and speaking again. ]

So it appears.

I claim no debt. I will not demand your aid. But I will tell you: our mutual enemy descends upon us and this house.

We have done our best not to interfere. This land is not our own, we do not know its secrets. I do not claim to know yours. But I know enough to say this: we are under siege from a warlord who would see you and yours destroyed, and return you under steel and key.

If ever you cared to toss the key back, the time is now.