Page 21 of The Night Prince 2

“But, again, I haven’t seen anything written by the Neres family,” Finley pointed out, frowning deeply. “Let alone you.”

No, he wouldn’t have. The Neres were a far flung branch of the Vex bloodline, but of no real great magical prowess. Well, not entirely. There had been a few of them in Ailduin’s court, but that was ages ago and those elves had died in the Under Dark, following after mysteries there. And, of course, he had been in the Kindreth Empire himself and wouldn’t have been caught dead sharing even the least of his magical secrets.

“Of course, you haven’t. If you’re a truly powerful Mage, the last thing you would do is write about it,” Rhalyf said pointedly.

Finley gasped. “But that’s not true. All the greats–”

“That you know of. Haven’t you heard the phrase ‘those who cannot do, teach?’ I know there is a human version of it. Well, it’s true in the case of magic as well. Perhaps, especially in magic. Those of us who are truly powerful keep our secrets to ourselves and do not write about them or share them with anyone,” Rhalyf told him.

That was most definitely true in the Kindreth. The Aravae were more open, but not much. The truth was that the Glass Scholar Neldor Loravye might be the most powerful of those elves who were open in scholarship, but as to the really powerful Mages, he was not among their number.

“So you hide what you can do? You hoard your powers? You don’t share your knowledge?” Finley sounded and looked rather outraged. His hands were on his hips and he was glaring at Rhalyf.

Rhalyf blinked. “You sound as if it’s personal. But remember, Finley, that humans cannot do magic so it's not as if I’m denying my knowledge to you.”

“Because we die if we use magic, right?” Finley glared at him more.

“You don’t believe me about that, I see,” Rhalyf murmured.

And why don’t you? I’m guessing it’s because of Declan. But surely someone as smart as you, Finley, realizes that there is something very off about your best friend? Rhalyf thought but did not say. But, then again, there is no one more blind than the man who will not see.

Finley’s lips quivered as if he wanted to say something. Maybe something about Declan. Rhalyf froze and his eyes darted between Finley and Gemma. They were with Declan when the Leviathan had attacked. They must have seen what he had done to protect them. He wondered what that was. But it had convinced Finley that humans could perform magic.

Finley shook himself and said quietly, “We’ll see if you’re right and I’m wrong when I get into the Academy.”

“Indeed we will. In truth, if magic wouldn’t kill you, I would wish you to be right and me to be wrong. But it is what it is,” Rhalyf told him. “Now am I acceptable to go to Hope?”

He spread his now much thinner arms and shimmied in his dress.

“More than!” Gemma said and took his arm again. “Gran.”

“Gran, it is!” He kissed her cheek, which had her laughing.

Finley snorted and walked slightly ahead of them. Gemma and Rhalyf chatted amiably as they made their way down the main avenue of Tyrael. He learned all about the interesting characters in her school. He was about to give her some wise advice as to what to do with her enemies when they approached the edge of the magical dome. The dome protected the citizens of the Empire from the creatures that roamed beyond. No Leviathan–or any dark creature–could pass into the royal city.

Due to the dome, there was no need for a wall or gate, but there were Protectors who patrolled the perimeter day and night. More were present as the king was now in residence in the city. In fact, there were quite a few of them present at that moment by the avenue. Rhalyf almost raised a hand to Commander Sevren who was stationed at the end of the avenue, but stopped himself. He realized that his transformation would hide his true self from the Commander just as much as it did from the humans they were going to visit.

They slowed as Commander Sevren lifted up a hand to urge them to stop. Finley looked over at Rhalyf for an explanation. But Rhalyf had none. He was curious himself what would happen now that Severn thought he was dealing with three humans and not with the Sun King’s best friend. He’d always liked Sevren, but there was nothing more revealing than how an elf behaved when their leaders were not in sight.

“Is there a problem?” Finley asked. His voice was already slightly edged. He likely was not used to being stopped and there was no reason for him to be in this case as far as Rhalyf could see.

Commander Severn did not rise to the bait, but said simply, “Yes, where are you three going?”

“I don’t see why that should concern you,” Finley retorted, drawing himself up straight.

“It concerns me, because there were two murders last night,” Sevren said. “Do you want to risk that child and your elder outside the protective dome?”

“What?” Finley gasped.

“Someone was murdered?” Gemma curled one hand around the top of her dress.

“Who was murdered?” Rhalyf asked too sharply, then remembering his persona, added, “Please tell us, young man. We know most everyone in town.”

Sevren smiled at his use of “young man” as any elf of his stature was hundreds, if not thousands of years older than any human, even one as “old” as he appeared to be.

“It was two visiting Aravae. Not locals. A man and woman,” Sevren said quietly. “I’m afraid I can say no more, but I would urge you to remain inside the dome today.”

A man and a woman?

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