"Why?"
That was Harvison, again on his feet, holding a bloody hand to his wound. The query was enough to slow up the others. They listened, and I had time and wit to reply.
"A handful of rulers, with blind ambition, caused the war. They're mostly gone. I want peace, a chance to bring both sides together."
"Stop his traitor mouth!" cried someone far back.
"Who's afraid to hear?" I yelled. "You almost walked into a trap, and I stopped you. These defenders have mined the cavern beyond—"
"He tells the truth, you Newcomers!" Klob seconded me. "If you can't understand truth and tell it from lies—look out, they come!"
He meant his own late comrades. Gederr had urged a fresh body at us.
"Quick!" I cried. "They heard me tell of their ambush, they want to silence me! Won't anyone help!"
"I will," gurgled Harvison, wounded as he was. He stepped past me, sword in his left hand, and engaged a Dondromogon warrior. Another big Newcomer leaped forward to do likewise. I seized my opportunity.
"Don't move without my order!" I addressed the remainder of Harvison's party, as if they were my allies again. "These defenders have the advantage of you in their planted explosives!"