Page 20 of The Night Prince

“Yes, I recall,” Aquilan said with a brief nod.

Rhalyf observed closely the two very different human leaders.

“I see that your hearing, Rohannan, is as good as it has ever been.This isn’t your time to meet the king,” Baston said, his voice low and not quite menacing, but it indicated a man that was used to being respected andobeyed.

“Are you arranging his engagements now, General?”Rohannan’s voice was higher and had a definite sneer.“Are you a goddamned social secretary for them now?”

Baston did not get off his horse, but instead nudged the animal forward so that he was between them much like Rhalyf’s electrical wave had been before.The General was willing to protect them with his body, which showed he was brave.He stared down at Rohannan for long, silent moments.Rhalyf felt the tension build in himself even though that stare was not aimed at him.

“You will remove yourself and these vehicles from the king’s path.Emissary Vesslan will let you know if King Aquilan has time to hear your complaints,” Baston said, completely ignoring Rohannan’s words.

“We’ve said what we had to say,” Rohannan retorted.“C’mon, boys, we have better things to do than parlay here any longer.”

They all watched in silence as Rohannan and his henchmen entered their foul-smelling vehicles and roared away, ripping up more vegetation under their wheels.It was only when the noise of them was distant and almost gone that General Michael Baston turned to face them.He did not get off of his horse, which Rhalyf thought was quite the power move.Baston was attempting to show them that he was an equal to Aquilan, a representative of humanity, not a vassal.

“King Aquilan, it is an honor to meet you.The Sun shines brighter when I am in your presence,” Baston said in fluid Katyr.

Rhalyf lifted an eyebrow.What had Elasha said about humans being unable to master even the basics of their language?

“Your light adds to mine, General Baston.”Aquilan bowed his head with the formal response.

“I hope you don’t mind that we switch to English.One of my boys, Finley, is teaching me Katyr, but I am not quite as fluent in it as I would like to be and fear I will offend,” Baston said in English.

“But of course,” Aquilan responded in English.“I need to practice myself.I hope you will give me some leeway if I make any mistakes.”

“You likely speak English better than most of the native speakers, myself included, King Aquilan, but I will surely give you whatever grace is needed,” Baston said agreeably.

“I thank you,” Aquilan said.“For this grace and for your intercession.”

“Though there was no need for it,” Rhalyf added dryly, switching to English, too.

“Oh, I wasn’t protecting you all,” Baston said with a slight laugh.“I’m not so blind to humanity’sabilitiesor lack thereof to know that those weapons the Separatists carried couldn’t harm you, nor could their fists or feet.I wanted to make sure thattheydidn’t get hurt by forgetting that.”

“You think I would strike out at them?”Aquilan was frowning.

Baston’s dark-eyed gaze slid to Elasha.She was suddenly studying the ground between her feet very intently.Rhalyf’s eyes narrowed.Had Vesslan hurt some of the humans?There had been no such reports, but perhaps Vesslan had known better than to put such incidents to paper.

“I see,” Aquilan finally said as he turned back to the general.“I would speak to you more about how things have been going here in my absence, General Baston.”

“I am happy to talk on the way to the Eyras Palace,” Baston answered.

Elasha looked relieved, probably believing that her father could undo any damage Baston could inflict in the short ride to the palace.But that was not to be.

“I think I would rather speak somewhere moreprivate,” Aquilan said, which had Rhalyf lifting an eyebrow.

“More private than the palace?”Baston looked intrigued.

“Yes, a great friend of mine has opened an inn in Tyrael.It’s called The Sudden Dawn,” Aquilan said.“Let us go there.”

Rhalyf grinned.So there would be wineanddanger.He liked nothing better.

The Sun Rises

Declan was polishing glasses behind the bar as Finley picked his way towards him through the tables. His best friend’s long burgundy robe swept over the floor.It was similar to those the Aravae Mages wore.Beneath it, Finley had on his usual three-piece suit and bowtie.The magician’s hat perched on top of his blonde head–tilted at a jaunty angle, no less–wasnotAravae style or part of his usual attire, but Finley was partial to wearing it when DMing.A few of the new guests started to chuckle at his best friend’s hat, but one sharp glance from Declan had them shutting up and staring into their drinks.

That’s better.We’ve had enough drama tonight.

Finley’s large blue eyes met his.They were made larger behind his round, wire-rimmed spectacles.Declan noted that Finley was carrying an empty pitcher and cup, though it was only Snaglak and him at the gaming table this early in the day.The orc was always thirsty.Declan could see the hulking, innocent brute ripping into a chicken leg back at the table.

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