Page 17 of The Night Prince

Rhalyf knew that the wicked curved blade called Meremel was enchanted with fire and ice magic. It wasnotAravae-make, but Kindreth as were most of the powerful enchanted weapons the Aravae wielded.Not that she knew that fact.Nor would she appreciate knowing it.She’d probably drop Meremel as if it were contaminated. Rhalyf considered telling her just that in order to watch the conflict it would cause her: protect the king or drop the dirty Night Elf sword?Not that she was needed to protect Aquilan.Not only was Aquilan quite capable of protecting himself, Rhalyf was there.And he wouldneverlet anything happen to the Sun King.

“By the gods, are they using those polluting, disgusting machines to intercept us?They break the lawandcome at the king in this way?The nerve of them!”Elasha cried. The Separatists were driving towards them in motorized vehicles powered by oil drilled from the earth and refined into a noxious fuel. “Father said you would meet with them in time, Uncle, but the Separatists have evidently decided to take matters into their own grubby hands.”

“Grubby?”Rhalyf’s lips twitched.“I don’t think that it is very politic of you, Elasha, to refer to humans–even these disloyal Separatists–asgrubby.”

Elasha tossed her head in annoyance.“Well, I wouldn’t say it to their faces! I mean… you know what I mean!”

He did.So did Aquilan from the disapproving frown he shot her.

Yes, my king,he thought,she and that bastard Vesslan are just as narrow-minded and grasping as I’ve told you.If only you weren’t so honorable and would use their weaknesses against them.Or let me do so for you.But no.At least, not yet.Just spend a few weeks in Vesslan’s grubby presence and you might change your mind.

Rhalyf pulled back on Silveril’s reins until the animal came to a halt.The horse danced nervously underneath him.It didn’t like the noise the human machines made.Rhalyf smiled as he always did when there was danger or violence–or, better yet,both–in the offing.

It was his nature.

But he forced it down.For the Aravae did not like killing as much as the Kindreth did.And he was an Aravae now.At least on theoutside. His fingers stroked the pendant he wore around his neck.It anchored the spell that kept his white hair and red eyes firmly hidden and protected him from the relentless Sun.

Aquilan’s eyes narrowed.“I believe they’ve come here to speak with me.Let’s hear what they have to say, shall we?”

Separate And Unequal

“Ah, I see that the Separatists are not alone, my king.Look there,” Rhalyf said as he tipped his head towards the direction of Tyrael.

His keen eyes had picked out four horsemen riding towards them at breakneck speed, intent on reaching them before–or at least at the same time–as the Separatists.

“They are not Aravae riders,” Aquilan remarked as he shaded his eyes to see them more clearly.

Elasha appeared even more annoyed by these riders than the Separatists.“It’s General Michael Baston and some of his officers!”

Rhalyf frowned slightly at the name as it was familiar to him.“Ah, he is the highest leader of the human military on this continent, isn’t he?”

“Yes.He constantly seeks to convince Father that he and his people should be allowed to fight with us against the Leviathan.It’s ridiculous, of course,” she answered.

“Fight the Leviathan?”Rhalyf let out a bark of laughter.This was one subject that he and Elasha agreed upon. “With what?And how?They might as well slit their own throats as go up against a Leviathan.It will accomplish the same thing.”

“They’ve been told that.Repeatedly.But General Baston insists that there must be a way for humans to assist in their own defense,” Elasha answered with a half-hearted shrug.“Father has told them to concentrate on the things theycando like preserving their history and having children, but General Baston does not listen to reason.”

“And he’snota Separatist?”Rhalyf lifted an eyebrow.

“He respects the laws and wishes to move forward with the Empire.He understands that humanity’s only possibility of continuing is with us, but he’s determined to make humanity more useful?”She shrugged again as she made that statement a question, clearly not understanding the mortal’s concerns here.

“My king,” Commander Sevren said as he rode around to Aquilan’s side.

Per Aquilan’s request, the Protectors remained behind them so there was, at least, the illusion of a private ride amongst friends.Rhalyf liked the fact that Aquilan was confident in his own ability to protect himself and cared not for the pomp and circumstance of leadership.King Vex was rather the same.But his reasoning was a little different.Allowing someone near him would mean they would have a chance to strike.

Sevren continued, “Would you have us ride out and deal with these people?”

“No, Commander Sevren.I would have you remain where you were.I will handle this,” Aquilan said calmly.

“Sevren, they’re a bunch of humans.What can they do?Shoot at us with their guns?”Elasha shook her head in derision.Human weapons didn’t just not work against the Leviathan.“An untrained child could handle them.”

“We’re not going to handle them with violence, Elasha,” Aquilan stated firmly.“That will hardly lead to a rapprochement with them.”

Ah, here he goes again with that listening to the people thing and not taking a firm hand with them,Rhalyf sighed internally.The exact opposite of what Vex would do.Vex would have chopped off some heads, stuck them on pikes and put them in town squares where all the humans could see what happens to those who disobey,Rhalyf thought.Who am I kidding?He would never have saved humanity in the first place!And I should be glad Aquilan is nothing like him.Truly.

“Words won’t either, Uncle,” Elasha said.“Father has spoken to them until he’s blue in the face.It’s done less than nothing.”

“I am certain my brother has tried his very best.I doubt I shall do any better, Elasha, but we must try,” Aquilan remarked gently, but his eyes met Rhalyf’s.

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