The cages were lined up in front of Mark on the wooden dock.
Inside each one were at least a dozen elves looking at him from behind the bars with a mix of hatred and fear that none of them bothered to hide.
Joseph walked over to stand beside the cages with a proud smile, like someone presenting their finest merchandise.
"Allow me to explain," the emperor said with a smile. "A few days ago, a ship packed with elves arrived at my empire's shores asking for asylum."
Mark listened without saying anything.
"It turned out they were nobles who had fled from here," Joseph continued, gesturing. "They came crawling to my kingdom, begging for my help to, and I quote, 'remove from power the usurper who proclaimed himself Emperor.'"
"That's what they said?"
