The study had no windows, no source of light besides a single black candle as big around as Alaire's forearm. In the darkness the candle flared to life, illu- minating Naitachal's face. Standing behind him was a large shelf of ancient, dusty books, all in Elvish, which had been in Naitachal's family gods only knew how long. The Bard carefully pulled and examined the vol- umes, which had no titles on the spines.
"We are going to Suinomen," Naitachal said flatly, as he searched.
Suinomen, Alaire thought. He can't be serious!
The name conjured uneasy feelings. King Reynard discouraged all his subjects, and particularly the royal family, from traveling to Suinomen. His teachers never spoke about it in school, it never even appeared on maps, and it never had diplomatic relations with any country. After a while, one just forgot it existed.
The only contact Althea had with Suinomen was a light, seasonal trade in animal hides. Alaire didn't even know who was ruling the country nowadays. Suino- men. Why, in the seven hells, are we going there?
Their home at Fenrich was near the northern boundary with Suinomen. This probably explained why King Reynard picked them, since the border was a days travel away, the capital two; and since Naitachal had often run "little errands" that involved diplomatic maneuvering for the royal family. This still didn't explain why they were going.
"Found it," Naitachal said, selecting a thin leather book from the shelf and placing it on the desk. In the dim candlelight Alaire could make out vague Elvish script on the cover, but couldn't decipher its meaning.
"You still haven't said why we're going to this place,"
Alaire said, trying to sound nonchalant.
Since the Dark Elf had so few visitors to this room, it took the boy a moment to find something to sit on.
He finally found an old stool, layered with dust. Since his backside was already dusty he didn't have any qualms about using it.
Naitachal was perusing the book. "The land is only off limits to those who wield magic," he said, as if in an afterthought.
"So where does that leave us?" Alaire asked. "Did the King forget what you are, and what you are train- ing me to be?" Even before all the facts were in, he found himself resisting the whole idea.
"No one in Suinomen knows we are Bards," Nai- tachal replied absently. "Let me explain, before you prejudge the entire mission. You know Suinomen has been an uncomfortable neighbor for centuries, but for the most part our two nations left each other alone.
Now they are making vague, but disturbing war threats."
Alaire was about to say something else, but at the mention of war, he kept his silence.
Naitachal turned a page. 'This was why I destroyed the letter. Our mages, through their own spells, Seen an impressive military buildup. The Suinomese have stepped up their recruiting efforts despite a pro- ductive harvest. Why should they draft youngsters when the family farms need them the most? The war threats must be taken seriously."
Alaire shook his head; it made no sense. "We've lived in peace with them for so long. They want noth- ing we have. Do they?"
Naitachal looked up for a moment and shrugged.
"The King thinks they're afraid of us. I must agree, only I believe the fear has gone back many centu- ries. For about a century now, Suinomen has strictly regulated magic. Althea, of course, never has. To practice magic or even the lowest level of healing is strictly illegal, unless the Crown issues a license.
This is why your father discourages travel to their land. Too many times our people have never returned because they practiced a healing to mend a broken bone, or created a magelight to start wet firewood, and wound up imprisoned for life. Or so we assume."
Alaire had heard the rumors of people vanishing into the North, but he'd never heard one confirmed. It was one of the curses of living a sheltered life. Idle street talk seldom reached his ears, even now. Being of royal blood meant you just didn't hear common gossip, even if you wanted to.
Naitachal's attention had gone back to his book.
"Magicians, even their healers, take tests in specific areas. Then, when they have paid their licensing fee, they may perform only the simplest of spells, and then only under the supervision of the Suinomen M Association."
"What about Bards?" Alaire asked. "You haven't mentioned them."