Page 57 of The Night Prince 2

But, again, Aquilan’s face and demeanor showed no patronizing attitude. He believed it even if it must not make sense to him. Declan was human in his understanding. Humans couldn’t wield magic. Only magic could harm the Leviathan. And yet… yet he believed in Declan.

“I will get the horses,” Elasha said and hurried off.

That left Aquilan and Declan alone again.

“Thank you for doing this and for your kindness earlier to Elasha,” Aquilan said. “I did not hear all that happened, but the last part… Well, it was clear that you understood what was needed. I assume Vesslan…” Here Aquilan clenched his jaw. “Vesslan misunderstood the situation.”

“His current worries blind him to the possibility of something worse,” Declan shrugged.

“That is very understanding of you,” Aquilan said. “I will try to believe that and not that he…” Aquilan did not finish the sentence. “But let me contact the orc barracks. Do you wish to speak to Snaglak yourself?”

Declan nodded. The green glow of the spell appeared in the air between the two of them. An orc’s face suddenly came into view. It wasn’t Snaglak, but another orc that had come to the surface to hunt Leviathan.

“What?” The orc snapped.

Declan doubted he recognized Aquilan as the Sun King, not that it would have necessarily mattered as orcs only showed obeisance to the ones who kicked the crap out of them. Declan stepped into frame. The orc–it was Tradlod–stiffened when he caught sight of Declan. He was one of the five orcs that Declan had bested in that bar fight.

“What do you want?” Tradlod asked sullenly, but with a touch more respect.

“Snaglak. He is to pick up Finley at his house and meet me… can you send a location of where Rhalyf is?” Declan asked Aquilan.

“I can. It is done,” Aquilan said after he made a quick movement with one finger through the air.

Tradlod grunted. “I see location. But I not Snaglak’s grunt. I not–”

“You will give that message to Snaglak immediately,” Declan’s voice went very low. “Or I will finish what you started in the Dawn. What’s it to be?”

Tradlod actually shuffled back a few steps. “Will tell Snaglak. Will do it.”

“Good,” Declan said and indicated for Aquilan to cut the connection, which the Sun King did.

When he fully faced Aquilan, a quirked smile was on the Sun King’s lips. “I take it that was one of the orcs you fought and defeated?”

Declan gave a brief nod.

Aquilan laughed and shook his head. “I wish I had been there to see it.”

“You might get your chance if he doesn’t give that message to Snaglak,” Declan replied dryly.

Another laugh from Aquilan. “I see that! You are not to be trifled with.”

At that moment, there was the sound of hoofbeats. Elasha and three horses appeared at the front of the palace. He and Aquilan went out and down the steps to meet her.

Aquilan immediately went to the white horse that Declan remembered very well from the first time he had seen the Sun King. “This is Erendriel. My dear friend. And this is his child, Neremyn, for you to ride.”

Neremyn was coal black and tossed her proud head and rolled her eyes a little anxiously at Declan.

Aravae request assistance while we require it, the voice said. She will expect a request.

We?

Request her assistance, Rhaven, the voice insisted.

You could give me your name, you know?

In time. Now… request her assistance before the Sun King places you over his saddle, the voice chuckled. Though you might like that better.

Declan stepped up to Neremyn. She moved a little uncertainly, shifting from foot to foot. His instinct was to grab her somehow. Mentally or physically, he didn’t know.

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