As the things were calming down in Craftwaters several dwarves noticed that something was not right. Not everyone realized what it was, but few noticed that three dwarves were missing, not seen since the elven caravan. This, of course, caused much speculation among the population, everybody trying to figure out what had happened, more and more strange theories being invented.
From the population only two dwarves knew how the things really were; the three dwarves missing were still locked inside the old dormitory, sentenced to die in starvation or dehydration due disagreeing about the treatment of elves. The two dwarves who knew were Knifeled and Craftedecho. Nobody else had even slightest clue what had happened, not even the members of High Council. Of course few of them, especially Firecrafted and Taricus, were suspecting that Knifeled and Craftedecho had something to do about it, but without proof they stayed silent.
While the speculation went on in the fortress the three prisoned dwarves were still sitting in the dormitory, still alive though the hunger and thirst were terrible. But they were still alive, and while there was life there was still hope. But that hope was already fading.
One evening Knifeled came to check the status of the prisoners. She opened small hatch and looked inside. When she saw that the three dwarves were still alive she begun talking.
"Why aren't you dead already? Is someone bringing you food? Water?"
The one known as Matchedpost tottered to the door.
"No, nobody has come here in a long time. What did we do? Why are you treating us like this?"
"You don't know? You should, there has been enough time for you to consider your actions." There was small hint of irritation in her voice.
"But we haven't figured out any reason! Please, tell us, what did we do to deserve this?"
"Oh well, I don't think it matters if I do. You were thrown here because you committed treason."
All three dwarves replied in single voice.
"Treason?!"
"Ah, don't be surprised. Surely you knew there would be consequences when you tried to reliability."
"What?"
"You questioned our decisions of how to treat elves."
"So what?"
"And you tried to convince everybody else that what we did was wrong, criminal even."
"But we didn't want any harm! Our fortress would only benefit from the alliance!"
"No, we wouldn't. And dealing with traitors is considered as treason even back in mountainhome, and you know that well enough!"
There was desperation in the voice of Matchedpost.
"But we can not be sure if elves betrayed us!"
"They had some items I know they could not get legally."
"But they could have bought those toys from dwarven caravan!"
"No, some of those toys were lost in goblin assault. Those were lost then and never seen again before showing up in the inventory of the elves."
"But... the elves could have looted those from goblins!"
"Not possible, elves don't care about dwarven toys. To them those are worthless junk, not even worth of picking up. Besides, we have queen's blessing."
"You have spoken with the queen then?"
"No, only with liaison. But the message was sent to the queen, and she had approved our actions."
"But what if the queen doesn't even know what's happening here?! The liaison could be lying! There is..."
"SILENCE! I have grown tired of this! You shall stay here. There is nothing that can save you from your fate! The jury has spoken!"
Knifeled closed the hatch. The dwarves inside were still pleading her to set them free, but she had made her decision already. Nothing, absolutely nothing, shall undermine her position as the mayor of Craftwaters.