"Mistress…" Menelachos began, astonished.

"I cannot explain," the Forestmaster interrupted. "It is Chislev's will. I can only tell you that in this war, darkness must triumph."

The centaurs were silent. The trees creaked mournfully in the wind.

"Then I have no choice, Forestmaster," Chrethon declared. "I forsake thee."

The unicorn drew back, her hooves scraping the stone. "What did you say?"

"I forsake thee!" Chrethon bellowed, his voice ringing across the glade. "If thou wilt not fight the evil, I shall do it alone—and to the Abyss with thee."