Beautiful Rhalyf. Shimmering silver hair like captured starlight. Red burning eyes like banked coals in a fire. Lean, but muscular figure. And that inherent, predatory grace. Aravae were graceful to be sure. But Kindreth were like sleek panthers stalking through the veldt. He swiped some pollen off his cheek.
Ugh, it’s everywhere!
The pollen shimmered on his fingertips and he was smiling again. He was so happy! It wasn’t just that he was happy to see Rhalyf–and oh, he was–but that his magical senses had told him true and led him to Rhalyf unerringly.
He’s my magnetic North! Finley laughed internally as he smoothed the yellow pollen over his fingertips. I know his magical signature down to my bones! I’m already making such progress by locating him like this! And less than an hour with the book!
The joy that this fact brought allowed him to ignore the strange burning cold sensation he was experiencing where he’d cut himself with the knife. He wasn’t foolish enough to think that magic like he wielded now didn’t come with sacrifices–maybe large ones–but the rewards–oh, the rewards!–were worth it. Or it would be worth it.
I already have the makings of a skeleton army!
Finley smiled wider for a different reason than Rhalyf’s beautiful, bewitching face. He’d had to order the skeletons to remain back in the Temple of the Necrilem. He’d thought about bringing them with him as bodyguards. After all there were Leviathan around, but he’d guessed that they weren’t any in the city proper, but only in the outskirts. Vex wouldn’t have allowed them to pollute Illithor itself.
He’d ordered the skeletons to remain behind because… well, he knew that when people saw them that they would be afraid. They might even misunderstand his magic and think it was inherently dark and evil, which was ridiculous! Nothing was definitely evil. At least, he didn’t think so. This certainly wasn’t. But it was death-based. To the immortal Aravae that would likely be horrifying on some level unless he prepared them for it in the proper way. It was all about optics and management.
Humans have magic! Actually, I have magic, he corrected and hugged that thought to himself. He had magic! He was special, too! Just like he’d always dreamed. But that stopped him cold as he had other thoughts. Thoughts like: Does one have to possess both the book and dagger to actually wield the magic or can one make more books and create other weapons? Maybe like Declan’s kitchen knife, I can make magic just by spilling blood… But if that was the case then anytime a human being cut themselves–or someone else–the magic would have revealed itself. No, it’s far more complicated than simple bloodletting. Besides, the Kindreth use blood in their magic, but it’s not the same as mine. I don’t think so anyways.
There was so much that he didn’t know. It had taken all of his considerable discipline not to sit down in some quiet corner of the Temple of the Necrilem and read the book. But he knew that his friends were looking for him. Besides, Illithor was a sacred place that shouldn’t be disturbed anymore than necessary. Maybe Vex would reopen it again, but, for now, the Night King had given him special permission to access some of its mysteries. But he wouldn’t take advantage of that fact.
He’s Declan’s dad. I have respect for him just for that. I hope he went to Declan after he left me. Declan has to know that his father is wonderful!
As he wended his way through the flowers and to Rhalyf, he realized he was also glad the skeletons weren’t with him for another reason. The truth was that he wasn’t altogether sure he could control the skeletons completely. After all, he had no idea how the magic was working other than it relied upon blood sacrifice and certain movements of this magnificent dagger. What if a spell only lasted based upon the amount of blood used? Would the skeletons just crumble back into useless bones or would they turn on him? He truly had no idea. Only when he was certain that what he did wouldn’t hurt his friends would he risk bringing his magic to life around them.
And Mages keep their secrets, Finley, the old professor’s voice said, sounding kind and gentle as always, cutting through the hazy, warm feeling that was settling over him.
That’s something Rhalyf would say! But the whole idea of scholarship is that you share what you learn with others! Finley protested, shaking himself.
You have discovered something that has been lost for ages. It is for you to determine how it is used and when it is revealed to the world. Acting too quickly could undermine your long term goals, yes? The professor prompted. Better to be discreet and then tell only what you are certain is good to tell.
I suppose, but Rhalyf–
Rhalyf.
Rhalyf.
Rhalyf…
Will understand. As you said, he believes Mages must keep their secrets, the professor replied.
And as Finley crossed those last final feet to the Kindreth, he felt that was true. But it didn’t matter. Well, magic always mattered. But Rhalyf was here. Within touching distance. And he was looking at Finley with such affection and relief.
“Who were you talking to?” Finley asked.
“Oh… to be honest… are you all right, Finley?” Rhalyf really searched his face and form, looking for wounds.
“Were you worried about me?” Finley hadn’t meant to ask that out loud or in quite that dreamy way as if Rhalyf caring was important to him.
It is. He isn’t the popinjay I thought he was before. He’s special, too. I want his regard.
The thoughts were very definite. Despite feeling quite filled with an almost languid sensual haze, these thoughts were true. They were his. Things perhaps he hadn’t wanted to admit earlier. But now he had to admit them. It was like the walls in his mind had come tumbling down and become oceans of flower petals. Glowing flowers.
“Very much,” Rhalyf confessed and the skin around his red eyes crinkled in a rather adorable fashion.
Adorable. Handsome. Beautiful Rhalyf.
And did Rhalyf’s voice quiver just a little when he said that? The hand that he lightly placed on Finley’s right shoulder did. Finley found himself grabbing that hand in both of his and raising it to his cheek. He stared at it. Elegant. Long fingered. Magical. He nuzzled it.
“Oh, I was worried about you being worried about me! But I hoped you’d realize I was all right when you didn’t find my body in the Pedway!” Finley kept nuzzling.
