"It is not a matter of strength," Naitachal said.
"Only of prudence. Within our government we have many non-humans, in positions of power. Non- humans such as myself."
"Oh, yes, that's right," the King replied, clearly annoyed, and shaking his head as if he simply had not seen the sable skin and pointed ears of the being right in front of him. "You are a Dark Elf, aren't you?"
Is he a half-wit? Or is his mind going? This is incredible! Naitachal schooled his expression to give no hint of his thoughts. "To impose such rules would be, at the very least, an insult to many powerful beings. But the matter isn't up to me."
Archenomen's face brightened. "That's right, it's not. Relay the message to the King, if you would, please. I think we will be sending our own ambassa- dors along soon anyway, to make certain he gets it."
The King stood, clearly ending the audience. "You may leave."
Naitachal immediately rose to his feet, bowed and backed himself out; grateful the discussion was over, and proud of himself for not converting the King to a pile of ash.
Naitachal returned to their room hoping to Alaire, so he could discuss this new -- and highly dis- turbing -- information with his protege. The boy is in more danger than I suspected, he admitted to himself, guiltily. Sending him home now would be even more serous.
Dark Elf realized as he entered the room that he had got about as far as he was going to get wit King. Reynard should have sent a human, he admitted glumly. Only a human can make any progress now.
The monarch of Suinomen was far more phobic about magic than he'd ever imagined, and if Archenomen ever learned that he and Alaire were Bards, it could be a catalyst for war. It seemed almost certain now that they were looking for an excuse for one anyway; that was the only rational explanation for such an outra- geous request. Surely that act the King had put on was only that -- an act. Surely he could not be so stupid, senile or mad enough to believe King Reynard would spend a single second considering such an outrageous idea!
Sending the Swords of the Magicians into Althea -- no, surely no one could be that mad. I do believe it is time for us both to find a way to leave this dreadful place, Naitachal decided. If we left now, we might take them by surprise. Yes. We will be on the road, headed back towards Althea, tonight.
"Alaire?" Naitachal called softly, as he closed the door behind him. He found only an empty room.
"Good gods," he muttered, picking up a note on the bed.
Your Dark I have gone out again with you-know-who. I promise to be careful. Don't worry about me. And don't stay up; it may be late.
Alaire.
Gazing at the note, Naitachal began making soft, strangling noises.
Chapte While Naitachal went off on his diplomatic searc Sir Jehan, Alaire returned to their room to catch a few hours of his lost sleep. The drink with the Prince's bevy of beauties had made him sleepy, and this seemed as good a time as any to catch up on some rest. Just before he fell into deep slumber, he won- dered belatedly if he had remembered to lock the door or no Alaire woke to someone shaking him by the shoul- ders. "Wake up, sluggard!" Kai shouted in his ear.
"We've got to go out! Hurry! We're losing time!"
The boy roused him with such intensity in his voice that he struggled out of the tentacles of sleep in a panic, wondering what emergency was upon them.
"Wha -- " Alaire managed, feeling about for a weapon.
Kai let go of his shoulders, and laughed sardonically at the expression on his face. "Oh, relax," Kai told him.
"If I had known it was so hard to wake you up I would have been in earlier."
Alaire finally focused on Kai, who sat on the edge of the huge bed. He wore a new outfit of court clothing, topped with the embroidered red cloak, but he still looked like he'd thrown his clothes on in a hurry.
"We're going into town tonight."
"Oh, not again," Alaire started to say, but as he sat up, he realized that Kai was not in a good mood.