Page 18 of The Night Prince

Rhalyf suppressed a grin.The truth was that while Vesslan adored politics, he was terrible at diplomacy.Aquilan had confessed to Rhalyf that he knew it was a risk to grant Vesslan the position of Emissary, but their relationship had never been an easy one.Especially not since Aquilan and not Vesslan had been chosen by the Sun to be king. Sonotgiving Vesslan such a position would result in a rift that they might never recover from.

While Rhalyf thought that such a breach should be encouraged, Aquilan did not. Vesslan was all that was left of Aquilan’s immediate family.His king would not risk alienating the fussy, arrogant older Aravae.But Rhalyf thought it was just a matter of time before it occurred in any case.

And how much damage will Vesslan do in the meantime?

“I’m sure if anyone can talk sense into them, it is you, Uncle.”But Elasha’s expression was doubtful that anyone was capable of this.

Commander Sevren slowly rode back to his prior position.Humans might not be a threat, but this was clearly an insult to Aquilan and Commander Sevren would have liked to answer it with violence. Rhalyf rather agreed with him.But they’d do it Aquilan’s way first.

Until that way does not work.

The three vehicles roared to a halt not twenty feet from them.Dust clouds rose up.Ripped and crushed vegetation was left in their wake.Noxious fumes emanated from their exhausts.He saw Elasha wave her hand in front of her face and cough.Aquilan showed no reaction.Rhalyf was similarly unmoved, but unlike Aquilan, he was smiling.It was the smile he wore into battle.

Aquilan gave Rhalyf a stern look and said, “They are our people, too, Rhalyf.”

“Even if they don’t think so?”Rhalyf asked back.

“Yes,especiallyif they don’t,” Aquilan answered and lightly got down from Erendriel.

Rhalyf and Elasha got down as well.The horses remained where they were as they were well-trained, but also because of the mental connection each of them held with the beautiful beasts.It had been difficult establishing such a connection with Silveril, because the Kindrethcontrolledthe creatures that served them while the Aravaerequesteda mutual exchange.These horses had expected the latter when he’d tried the former.

He’d been tossed off of Silveril’s back one too many times until he had, finally, learned the Aravae way.Only then had Silveril deigned to allow him to ride her.It was through patience and way too many sugar cubes that had won her over completely.But now she was as close to him as Erendriel was to Aquilan.He was rather proud of that.Erendriel leaned over and started nibbling some flowers.Silveril joined him.Soon all three animals were munching the sweet vegetation.

Aquilan made no move towards the humans.He clearly was waiting for the Separatists to emerge from their vehicles and approach.They did not have to wait long.

The first human got out from a white vehicle, swinging his long legs down as the machine was lifted over a foot in the air on its big tires.He wore jeans, leather, pointed toe boots–which Rhalyf believed were referred to ascowboy boots–and a red-and white checked flannel shirt that was untucked.He sported a broad-brimmed, white hat–acowboy hat–and dark aviator sunglasses shielded his eyes.

Rhalyf had made it a point to understand humans.Not out of some benign urge to study a dying, mortal race, but to make sure they posed no threat.He found, much to his surprise, that he rather liked them as a rule.

This first Separatist’s skin was leathery and tanned a deep bronze and he appeared–though it was always hard for Rhalyf to tell human ages–around the mid-century mark.That meant he was a mature adult already in middle age, who likely wouldn’t live to see twice that amount. On his hip was a holster with a gun, which he adjusted as soon as his boots hit the ground.

In Katyr, Elasha whispered, “That is Duke Rohannan.Leader of the 401st as these Separatists call themselves.I don’t know the other two.They aren’t important.”She pursed her lips as if she tasted something bitter as she added, “He has an ever-changing cadre of young men–alwaysmen–with him.”

Two younger men, dressed similarly to Rohannan, stepped out of the black trucks that flanked him.They, too, were armed.Rhalyf sighed and murmured a few Katyr swears that involved the folly of weak men.Aquilan had schooled his expression to be smooth and unreadable.

“Do you speak English?”Rohannan asked as he approached.

A fork of lightning appeared in the air between him and Aquilan from Rhalyf’s clever fingers, stopping the Separatist abruptly.He tried not to show the fear Rhalyf knew he was experiencing but the way his hand shot towards his weapon’s grip was telling.

You might have that useless gun at your hip, but I have the power of the Void at my fingertips, Rohannan.So keep it civil,Rhalyf thought.

“Yes, I can speak English,” Aquilan answered in that language.

“Good.Not many of your kind do or not enough to really converse,” Rohannan explained. “And my Katyr is a bit limited.”

In Katyr, Elasha cursed, “The nerve of this pathetic man!It’s not as if we expect humans to learn our language.They hardly live long enough to even get the basics!”

Aquilan did not chastise her though if he had, Rhalyf guessed their king would have pointed out that her belief was the same as Rohannan’s but on the opposite side of the argument.

Instead, Aquilan stated in English, “Sometimes there are more misunderstandings when one speaks the same language, but I will do my best.”

Rohannan grunted.He took a toothpick from an inner pocket and stuck it into the corner of his mouth.He chewed on it for a moment.“Now that you’re here, are you taking charge, King Aquilan?Or are you going to let her idiot father continue speaking for you?”

Elasha lunged forward roaring, “You insolent cur–”

“Stop,” Aquilan said simply and she froze.He stared at Rohannan for long, silent moments before he stated, “You wish me to hear your concerns yet you insult my brother?Would that move you to listen to me if our positions were reversed?”

Rhalyf was rather shocked–and pleasantly surprised–that Rohannan had marked Vesslan for the idiot that he was.Maybe these Separatists weren’t complete fools.

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