Beyond the Twilight Mountains

Beyond the Twilight Mountains

Gillian Smith

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 Gillian Smith

Cover design copyright 2012

By (http://DigitalDonna.com)

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Profoundest thanks to my brother Adam, a fine wall for bouncing ideas off of, & to Sam Escobar, my first fan.

Chapter 1

I burst in through the front door just as Hylios was ringing the gods-damned chime which had for generations uncounted been the signal used to indicate to my family when supper was ready. I smiled at my brother’s butler as I unceremoniously dumped my cloak on a bench in the walnut-paneled foyer and Hylios winked at me, though his face was still steadfastly sober. Good evening, he said politely as he picked up my cloak and began to ostentatiously brush it with one hand. Just on time, as usual.

Have you ever known me to be late?

Not by your standards, Master Arachlin. I grinned at him before I turned away to join the master of the house for supper. It had been over a quarter of a century now since our parents had passed away, leaving the title and estate to my brother Telgin. It was upon that sad occasion that I’d finally returned to our ancestral home, a place I’d rarely visited since being disowned more than two and a half centuries ago. I never stayed for more than a few weeks at a time, having become accustomed to a certain freedom of movement since my youth. Telgin was always here and always happy to see me, however, as was old Hylios, who had run the house since well before my brother and I were born. Although the house should have been run according to Telgin’s schedule rather than mine, Hylios still timed things just for me when I was home.

Tel was waiting for me, seated at the head of the massive blonde oak table upon which he was impatiently tapping his fingertips when I pushed through the double doors of the dining room and flopped gracelessly into my chair at the foot. Late, as usual, he commented in a tone of utter condemnation which belied the twinkle in his green eyes.

I most certainly am not, I protested as his kitchen servants quietly went about the business of serving our supper. They’re just now pouring the wine. Thank you, I added to the young maid who filled my silver-chased goblet with the golden spiced wine I preferred. She nodded to me with a smile, and I filed her face away in my mind for future reference. A likely-looking girl, and one who probably wouldn’t mind warming my bed for a night or two, I thought to myself as she went back into the kitchen with a little flirt of the hem of her dress. I’m sorry, what did you say?

If you could manage to stop ogling my maids and pay attention... Telgin grinned at me in spite of his sharp tone, and I chuckled. I ought to instruct Hylios to turn you away at the door.

Whatever would become of me if you were to do such an awful thing? I made a pitiful face at him, fluttering my lashes the way ladies did, and Telgin rolled his eyes.

Nothing, except possibly that you might end up with more money than the Queen of Tirillae in a finer house than our family ever dreamed of having, he snorted. Besides, Hylios wouldn’t do it, anyway.

True, I conceded, unwrapping my silverware and spreading the linen napkin over my lap as the last of the servants filed back into the kitchen. Anyway, what were you saying?

My twin ignored me, clasping his hands together and closing his eyes as he bowed his head to pray aloud over the meal. I retained a respectful silence while he was speaking, studying him as I always did at such times. When he finished by invoking the name of his chosen goddess Desilea, I smiled at him. Why do you always stare at me while I pray? he asked me as he took up his knife and fork to cut into the broiled game hen which lay upon his plate, nestled on a bed of rice and wild mushrooms.

Just because, I shrugged. Observation was a part of my life which seriously contributed to the longevity of it, and I couldn’t just shut this habit off as he seemed to expect me to. How do you even know I’m looking at you, anyway, since your eyes are closed?

Telgin simply smiled, taking a bite of his chicken and ignoring the question. There were moments in which he acted with quite a bit more perception than he normally would, though I ascribed this more to his being my twin than because of any particular intellect on his part. It wasn’t that he was a simpleton by any means, but we both knew I was a lot smarter than he was; this had been obvious since we were children. Of course, he was quite a bit stronger physically, as he had been for the best part of our lives. As I scooped up a forkful of rice I pondered, not for the first time, whether the differences in our personalities could be attributed to the professions we’d chosen, or whether our personalities had caused us to go into such different fields. You always stare at me as if you don’t have the slightest idea of why I would bother praying.

That’s because I don’t, I admitted candidly between bites. I wouldn’t think a holy paladin would have need of such devices, since your purity and devotion to your goddess is without question.

If you’d paid attention in church when we were children, you might understand better, Telgin commented dryly.

What a thing to say! You know I like church just as much as you do, Tel, I protested with a smile. This was even true, although I had always been far more interested in subtly filching from the collection plate than listening to whatever message the priest was saying at the time.

He laughed, shaking his head. Honestly, Arachlin, sometimes you’re positively blasphemous. I can’t think why the gods don’t strike you dead.

I’ve got you praying for me every night, how could I possibly go astray?

If you’re quite through being cleverly heretic for the moment... Telgin raised an eyebrow, and I nodded. I had some news.

So I gathered. Did you want me to guess? I grinned at him, making some show of thoughtfully tapping my finger on my temple. No, no, don’t tell me. The Archbishop of Desilea is coming to Irilliartha Hall to conduct the official planting rituals?

Arachlin.

I’m listening, Tel, I assured him. Although my twin was extremely amusing to tease about his overly religious inclinations, there was no point in making him angry, and I could tell I was about to. Really, I added as he gave me a dark look. We continued to eat our supper in absolute silence for the next few moments until Telgin decided I was definitely ready to take him seriously.

You know I’ve been courting Lady Verelisse Denierialis, he began after wiping his lips with the corner of his napkin.

For the past thirty years, I nodded, idly flipping my knife end over end a few times before I began to slice the bird on my plate with neat precision.

Today her father granted her hand to me, Telgin informed me triumphantly, his handsome face glowing with happiness. Provided that I complete some trifling betrothal errand first, of course. You’re coming with me, right?

He was being just a bit too breezy with his explanation, I thought suspiciously. What kind of errand?

Nothing big, he replied with a casual shrug of his powerfully muscled shoulders. I’ve already asked Niverius and Kyri to come with me, and they said they will. So, are you in?

Not until I get some answers. I smiled at him with my eyes over the rim of my goblet as I sipped my wine. What exactly are you going to do?

Just go get the Paralin, that’s all. See? Nothing big. Now...

Go get the Paralin? I echoed, interrupting him, then burst into laughter. Oh, that’s a good one! No, really, Tel. What’s the quest?

He set his fork down and brushed a lock of golden hair off of his brow, his eyes glittering dangerously as he looked at me. I’ve already told you, he said quietly. I don’t appreciate your even hinting that I wouldn’t tell the complete truth about anything, let alone something as important to me as you know this issue is.

All right, I’m sorry, I sighed. I know you wouldn’t lie.

Thank you.

Let me amend my question to, are you completely out of your mind? Let him glare at me all he wanted to. Telgin knew better than to think he could ever cow me into passive, unthinking obedience, elder brother and head of the house or not. Intimidation had never worked for my father, and it most certainly would not work for my twin. We bristled at one another across the length of the dining table, and out of the corner of my eye I noticed Hylios quietly shutting the few doors which stood open. Such a good butler, always determined to keep the family squabbles private. I would’ve smiled at his sense of discretion, had Telgin and I not been so angry with one another that we didn’t even openly acknowledge the old man’s existence.

No, I’m not, he answered curtly after Hylios had finished closing the doors and exited the room with a quiet bow. I don’t appreciate your questioning my sanity, either.

So what exactly did you intend to do? I asked him sarcastically. Stroll casually on down through Tirillae to the Draconic Range, waltz right up to their Queen, and ask her for it?

Well, why not?

I can think of several reasons why not. Hmm, where should I begin? How about the fact that only the dark elves are welcome in the Draconic Range, yes, that sounds like a fine starting place. As a matter of fact, I think that’s why it’s also referred to as the Bone Peaks, isn’t it? Anyone of any outside race who dares to go there dies. It’s been that way for most of the last two hundred thousand years, Telgin.

The dragons accepted Tirillae, why wouldn’t they accept me? It’s not like I’m going to ask them to break their pledge to the dark elves. I’m going down there for a good reason. I could explain it to them.

Maybe they wouldn’t accept you because they did accept Tirillae? Look at the facts, brother. Dark elves are the hereditary enemies of the elves, and the dragons are not on our side of that conflict. They’d broil you alive inside your fancy armor before you ever got close enough to one of them to explain anything.

We’re not enemies any more, Telgin retorted stiffly. Since we’re going to discuss history, let me remind you there’s been peace between the kingdoms of Evanedos and Tirillae for over eighty thousand years now.

Because the Minstrels shoved it down our throats for the economic and social good of the Continent as a whole, I said pointedly as I dropped my fork, my appetite completely dissipated. That wouldn’t have changed anything in the relationship the dark elves have with the dragons, or in the relationship the dragons have with the rest of the races of man.

No, it wouldn’t have, he agreed with surprising alacrity. I already thought of that, Arachlin.

Oh, really? So what gem of genius did you come up with next?

I’m going to find a guide.

I stared at him, momentarily speechless with incredulity. Are you serious? I asked him after I found my voice again. No, forget I asked that. I know you are. Am I to gather you’re speaking about a dark elf?

Well, obviously. Who else would know the way through the Draconic Range? All of Niverius’s maps end at the southern boundary of Tirillae, as does every other map I’ve been able to find.

I buried my face in my hands for a moment, then ran my fingers through my hair, looking back up at him. Telgin, are you living in the same world with the rest of us any more? You’re a paladin of Desilea. What makes you think any dark elf would help you? What makes you think you’d even be able to come within a mile of one without trying to kill him, for that matter?

I’m not completely unreasonable, Arachlin, he said, frowning. Just because I don’t happen to think very highly of dark elves ordinarily doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be able to push aside my feelings for this one special occasion. I’ll be able to do that easily if it means winning Verelisse.

And what are you intending to do with Kyri, brick up her mouth for the whole entire trip? She practically goes rabid when someone even mentions a dark elf in passing! Who knows what she’d do if she actually had to travel with one? She’ll probably be attempting to exorcize him every half a mile or so, that or convert him to the worship of Desilea.

She said she’d help me, Telgin said coldly, obviously offended by my withering summation of the cleric. I think she meant it, and I think she’s smart enough to know we won’t be able to get a guide unless she’s tolerant of the cultural differences.

I’ll believe that when I see it, I scoffed, crossing my arms.

Why do you suppose I’m bringing Niverius with me, Arachlin? Do you think I don’t know I might need a bit of help from time to time reining her in?

You’ve got it all figured out, haven’t you? I chuckled mirthlessly, shaking my head. What a fine idea, Telgin. I’m sure the dark elves will laugh even harder than I did when you present it to them. Actually, one of them might even agree to lead you down there just for the pleasure of being personally present when the dragons fried a foolish elven paladin.

Are you finished?

Yes, I am. I got up, tossing my napkin down on the table and leaving the dining hall without another word. Had I stayed for another moment, I might’ve been more than tempted to beat some sense into my brother. What an idiot! I seethed to myself as I stalked through the echoing corridors of our family’s home. How could he be so blind as to not see what this quest portended as far as Verelisse’s father was concerned? The Duke of Denierialis quite obviously didn’t approve of Telgin as a suitor for his only daughter, but to say so would be dreadfully impolite. It would be so much easier to set the eager young paladin on a quest which would cost him not only his own life, but the lives of whoever went with him as well. And my brother, absolutely unswerving in his childish belief that love conquered all obstacles, was walking right into it!

Something troubles you, Arachlin? The light voice interrupted my pacing, and I glanced up to see Kyri silhouetted in the open doorway of the conservatory.

Quite a few things trouble me, and the last person I want to talk to is you, I snapped at her. You’re just as stupid as he is. How could you have agreed to go along with him!

Her bright blue eyes flashed with anger, but she closed the door quietly behind her, shutting off the sound of Niverius’s harp playing from within the conservatory. As I started to walk off she fell into step beside me, allowing the train of her cream-colored gown to drag carelessly on the floor behind her. I take it Telgin’s told you of his quest.

Obviously. Gods, what are you and Niverius thinking? I know the word ‘quest’ sets off all these noble bells in my brother’s head, but I thought maybe the two of you had a bit more sense!

My brother is the Minstrel to House Irilliartha, she told me coolly, tossing her long auburn hair back over one shoulder. It’s his duty to guide Telgin and scribe any deeds which occur in the house’s history. You can’t really think he would’ve refused to go, since doing so would’ve involved breaking the oath he swore as a Minstrel.

I thought this over as Kyri opened a door which led into a small, walled garden on the eastern side of the manor. She led me outside, seating herself gracefully upon a white marble bench, and I smiled despite my annoyance. You look very much like your mother at times, I told her, sitting down comfortably at the other end of the bench.

Thank you, Arachlin. She flashed a sweet smile at me, and I spent a moment reminiscing over sunny childhood days spent in this garden with my mother and Kyri’s, who had been the very best of friends. I gradually became aware of the fact that Kyri was no longer smiling, that she was, in fact, tapping her fingernails impatiently on the bench. Shall we return to the topic at hand?

I didn’t think there was anything left to discuss. Telgin’s crazy, your brother is oathbound to follow him, and you’re just as crazy as Telgin.

You’ll make such a hasty judgement without even knowing my reasons for telling him I would go?

I don’t care what your reasons are! How does it stack up beside knowing this whole thing is a setup, that he’s going to get himself killed? You’re a smart girl, don’t tell me you hadn’t figured this out all by yourself.

I had, she replied evenly, turning her face toward the rising sliver of moon. I had also thought you would be going with us.

Absolutely not! Are you serious? I’m only three hundred years old, and that’s way too young to die on purpose.

Then we’ll fail because of your selfishness.

My selfishness? I repeated in astonishment. What do I have to do with any of it? It’s sheer coincidence that I’m even in Irilliartha right now in the first place. You’d fail with or without my presence, Kyri. There’s no hope of any of us reasoning with a dragon, and Telgin will have about the same amount of luck reasoning with a dark elf, especially since he’s decided to let you tag along with him.

And what is that supposed to mean?

You know exactly what I mean, I answered, not even slightly daunted by her haughty tone. If you can even come within ten miles of a dark elf without exhorting Desilea to either kill him or forgive his transgressions, I’ll be shocked, and Telgin isn’t a whole lot better than you are.

Kyri glared at me, and I could tell she really wanted to argue about it. Well, we weren’t counting on Telgin being the one to convince him, she said finally, evidently having decided for once that it wasn’t in her best interests to dispute the obvious with me. Why do you think we need you?

I really haven’t the slightest idea.

You told me once that all thieves are for hire.

I prefer to refer to myself as a procurer, I replied automatically. Or, at the very least, an honored member of the brethren.

You are what you are, Arachlin. Let’s not waste time quibbling about words. Can you honestly tell me there are no dark elves among your brethren who could possibly be persuaded to help?

I opened my mouth to argue, then closed it again. Any one of the brethren could be bought if the price was right, and I knew it. Perhaps there might be one or two, I grudgingly admitted.

And I’m certain you could persuade them, couldn’t you? After all, it’s hardly as though you’re unknown in your circles.

How would you know?

My brother’s a Minstrel, isn’t he? She smiled, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. I know all kinds of things, Arachlin. They call you the elven prince of thieves, did you know that?

Yes, I knew that. I ground my teeth in irritation at hearing the title, one which I really would’ve preferred not to have earned, since it made me that much more notorious and made my jobs just that much harder. The undisputed success of my professional career has nothing to do with the situation at hand.

On the contrary, it has everything to do with it. As a Minstrel Niverius would be allowed access to any of the sanctuaries of the brethren on the Continent, but he wouldn’t be able to command the sort of respect necessary to persuade any dark elf who could be hired to guide us. You, on the other hand, obviously do command that sort of respect, don’t you? She didn’t give me a chance to answer, pinning me to my end of the bench with a steely look. Telgin will never get a guide without you, Arachlin, and he’ll go south on his own without one after Niverius fails to get someone hired within the first few days, because your brother is not a patient man. He’ll die, and you’ll just let it happen because when all’s said and done, you don’t care about anything but your precious profits and your own skin.

I sat there glaring at Kyri for a moment, absolutely speechless with rage. How dare she say such a thing to me! So what if I’d been thrown out of the house a couple hundred years ago to take up a life of crime? Telgin was my twin brother, and though we were as different as night and day, I would back him in anything!

Prove it, then. The healer stood, looking down at me with a contented little smile, and I realized to my chagrin that I’d spoken this last bit out loud. We leave in the morning.

Damn her, and damn my idiotic brother and his idiotic quest! Wait just a minute, if you please, I said flatly as I rose to my feet, catching her by the elbow. What’s your stake in this?

My stake? She repeated, looking at me curiously as she opened the door.

What do you get out of it?

Kyri smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes. I’ll be able to keep our brothers safe.

That’s an evasion, not a good reason, I objected as I let go of her arm.

It’s the same reason you’ll do it, though, isn’t it?

I’m not going to do any such thing! If it were me, I’d find some other ruby of the same size and bring that back instead, claiming it was the Paralin.

Of course you would. You’re a thief. Telgin, however, is incapable of being dishonest, especially with the woman he loves. There was just the faintest edge to her voice, a hint of hidden feeling, and there was the real answer.

You love him, don’t you? I asked suddenly, gratified by my intuitive reasoning when Kyri looked away.

That’s neither here nor there.

Why don’t you just tell him? You can marry him, I can go back to my business, and we can avoid this entire thing. Everyone lives happily ever after.

Kyri sighed quietly as we walked back into the house, shaking her head. You don’t understand anything at all about feelings, do you? Just marks and sovereigns, that’s all that’s ever mattered to you.

I actually felt sort of guilty at her matter-of-fact tone. You’re wrong, I insisted. I do too understand feelings.

See if you can figure it out for yourself, then, why I might not want to tell him, she suggested, folding her arms beneath her breasts.

I really disliked the snippy tone in which she said it, but I was determined to prove her opinion of me was ill-formed. He’s been courting Verelisse since the year before you were born, I began, allowing her to lead me up the stairs as I talked. His entire life, as you remember it, is wrapped up in him being in love with this girl, and for you to try to sway him would be dishonorable. I frowned over that word as I said it. Honor wasn’t an alien concept to me by any means, but people such as myself adhered to a slightly different code of it, and I had a bit of trouble comprehending exactly what Telgin and Kyri, as committed worshipers of Desilea, would consider to be honorable. So... what, then? You go with him because...?

Kyri paused by the door to her rooms, leaning against its frame to stare up at me. I go with him because I want to keep him safe and I want to see him succeed, despite what his success will inevitably mean for me. I want him to be happy. She turned away then, slowly opening the portal. As should you, she added over her shoulder as she walked into her chambers. Good night, Arachlin.

The door closed gently in my face and I scowled as I started walking along the corridor, heading back down the stairs to find my twin. Idiots, all three of them, with the possible exception of Niverius, who was merely doing his job as Minstrel. Since it was also a part of his duty to guide my brother, however, I was of the strong opinion that he ought to guide Telgin away from suicidal quests such as this, not agree to go along with him. I glanced into the dining hall as I passed by, but this was empty, the supper dishes long since cleared away.

Telgin would be in his quarters, I surmised as I started back up the steps. Though he was the head of the house now, he’d never moved into the suite formerly occupied by our parents. Instead he’d stayed in the rooms he’d claimed for all of his life, directly across the hall from my own, which had been kept in my absence at Tel’s insistence despite our father’s animosity toward me. His door was open just a crack as I silently walked down the hall, the glow from the still-burning lamps beaming onto my path, and I sighed quietly before knocking gently on the door frame.

Yes? He sounded somewhat distracted, and as I stepped into his neat, starkly decorated sitting room I saw him pondering a number of maps he had strewn over his table, absently scratching his head the way he always did when he was thinking.

I need to speak with you.

Telgin glanced up at the sound of my voice, frowning. I didn’t think we had anything else to say to each other.

I think otherwise. I pushed the door closed behind me with one foot, then leaned against it with my arms crossed. I’m not very happy about this, you know.

You’re not at all happy about it, he corrected. You made your opinion perfectly clear at supper. Telgin looked back down at his maps, apparently intent on ignoring my presence and my interruption of whatever it was that preoccupied his mind.

I don’t want to see you run off and get yourself killed, Tel! Why is that so difficult for you to understand?

I do understand it.

Yet you’re going to go ahead and do it anyway?

We do what we must.

I clenched my teeth, irritated by his toneless replies. There’s no ‘must’ involved here, Telgin. It’s not a matter of life and death, unless, of course, you go.

My brother glanced up at me then, a spark of confrontation lighting his green eyes. Why can’t you stay in Irilliartha for more than three weeks at a time, Arachlin?

What? His line of questioning baffled me, and it showed. I sat down across from him on an uncushioned stool of cherry, stretching my long legs out in front of me. I don’t know, I hadn’t thought about it. Because it’s boring, maybe? I don’t know. What does that have to do with anything?

You think I like knowing my twin is a thief, one of the most skilled on the continent? Oh, pardon me, procurer, he corrected himself, his voice heavy with sarcasm. You think I really enjoy hearing about your exploits, assassinations and grand escapes from every gossiping old woman in the market square?

I squirmed uncomfortably, feeling almost like I was looking at a younger version of our father and I was about to get a whipping. I’m not grasping the connection between what I do and what you’re about to do, Tel, I admitted to him.

Really, he said with a thin smile as he brushed his short golden hair away from his brow. You live in danger for almost every moment of your life and don’t ever care about the possible consequences of your actions. Why?

I saw what he was getting at and I sighed, looking away from him. My gaze caught on the iron-framed mirror, and I stared at our images for a long moment. There sat Telgin, strong as a bull from decades of wearing heavy plate armor. My brother, the golden paladin who would sooner die than dishonor himself and to whom there was no sacrifice too great to be made for the sake of love or the preservation of life. He would never lie, never cheat, never be anything less than totally honest with anyone. For all of our lives he had done exactly what was expected of him, he had done everything right.

Across from him I sat, defiant since birth and disowned after refusing to enter a monastery as our father had expected me to. I was the black sheep of the house and had purposely dyed my long hair black to emphasize the point not even a year after starting my career, retaining the unnaturally dark hue through the succeeding decades. Arachlin, the nimblest of thieves, devious, secretive, and second to none as a hired killer. Because I must, I admitted dully. I hated to be trapped, and I especially hated being trapped by my own twin, but fighting with him was sort of pointless now.

I made sure I left a current copy of my will with the king, Telgin was saying, and I looked back at him. You’re the heir, of course, if it matters to you, which I doubt, since I’m certain you have a lot more money than I do.

I did have more money than him, of course, but what did that have to do with us? All the years I’d been gone Telgin had never looked down on me for what I did, and for him to act like this now hurt quite a bit. Do you think that’s all I care about?

Isn’t it? He stared at me as though I were a stranger, not the brother with whom he had lived in the womb, and I snapped.

No! I shouted, sweeping my arm across his table and scattering his maps to the floor. As a matter of fact I came in here to tell you I’m going with you, but I think it might be just as satisfying at this point to slit your stubborn throat! I realized I was standing before him, unsure of when I’d gotten to my feet, my entire body trembling with rage. Telgin laughed suddenly and I blinked, letting go of the daggers at the small of my back which I had reflexively grasped and half drawn in my fury.

Little brother, he said affectionately in just the same way he’d said it when we were children playing together, before the years and our vast differences had drawn us inexorably apart from one another.

I should kill you, I muttered as I sat back down, but my heart wasn’t in it, and Telgin knew it. You’re a damned brainless meat shield, that’s all you are!

He shrugged, not arguing with my unflattering description of him. One who’s decided to accept an impossible mission, how shocking is that? You know how the word ‘quest’ makes my pulse race. I was absolutely sure, however, that if I could persuade some sneaky bastard of a procurer to help me, I might at least have a slender chance of succeeding. Tel smiled as I blinked, once again startled by his silent perception of things I’d thought had completely escaped his notice.

This is not a good idea, Telgin, I sighed, leaning forward to prop my elbows on his table and resting my chin in my cupped hands. You don’t have any idea how hard it’s going to be trying to find some dark elf who won’t just laugh at the idea of helping you. You’re right about them not officially being our enemies any more, but you know as well as I do there aren’t any official alliances or business agreements between Evanedos and Tirillae. The Minstrel policy obviously hasn’t made all that much difference in the way things actually work between our races.

Does that include the criminals?

Yes, that includes the criminals! Where’s the benefit in watching some people get themselves killed? The dark elves of the brethren are no less pragmatic than I am about profits and capital.

I’ll make it worth their while, he said calmly. If I have to sell this estate and everything in it, I’ll come up with enough money to buy a guide.

You wouldn’t! I gasped in absolute horror at the thought. The line of our house could be traced back to the time before the elven division, and Irilliartha Barony had been ours since the day Evanedos carved his kingdom into random estates. Gods, don’t even say that. I’ll chip in if I have to, but don’t you dare sell the barony.

Telgin smiled at me somewhat smugly, and I could practically hear him thinking I was a lot more noble than I pretended to be. It was one of his favorite insults. It probably won’t be necessary, Arachlin, he told me diplomatically. No one could possibly hope to carry as much money as I’d get for selling it.

Enough about selling the barony, I snapped. Just shut up about it, Tel, please. Let’s get back to the important things, shall we?

Which important things were these?

Since you’ve managed to cleverly manipulate me into going on this stupid quest of yours... Gods, but it hurt to admit that, and to see his beaming smile! ...you are going to listen to me and not run off when we don’t find some willing dark elf five minutes down the road from Evanedos.

Well, how long do you think it will take? Telgin asked reflectively, frowning slightly. I don’t really want to keep Verelisse waiting for too long, you know.

I don’t really care, I retorted flatly. It’ll take however long it happens to take. She’s only, what, two hundred and fifty?

Something like that, he conceded, far too much the gentleman to confirm the exact age of his lady.

I don’t think it’ll kill her if you take your time and do this right. It will definitely kill you if you don’t, and that’s that. You either listen to me or I don’t go, and you’ll most certainly fail then, won’t you?

You don’t need to beat me over the head with it, Arachlin, he said reprovingly. I know you’ve got better connections than I do, that you’re smarter than I am about this sort of thing. Why do you think I wanted you to come?

I knew I should’ve skipped the trip home to see you when I came back to Evanedos, I sighed, shaking my head. I just knew it.

Chapter 2

I was sandy-eyed and irritable with exhaustion the next morning when the four of us gathered in the dining room to eat breakfast. My night had been spent in our father’s library which, fortunately, Telgin had left virtually untouched since his death. I’d been a bit worried on that score, since my brother was anything but bookish. The library was exactly as I’d remembered it, however, an imposing room which took up the entire western wall of the manor on the third floor. Walnut shelves lined the walls to the ceiling, filled with volume after leather-bound volume of any subject my ancestors had found interesting.

Though much of this was of absolutely no use to me - who honestly cared one way or the other about what sort of dress had been fashionable back in the days before the division? That must have been one of my mother’s books - there was a lot of information in there on the Minstrel-enforced reconciliation of the two races of elves, and several nebulous texts on the culture of the dark elves in particular. Much to my annoyance I discovered really nothing but rumor and mythology concerning Tirillae’s original pact with the dragons, but shortly before dawn I came across the only book I was to find that made any reference to the Paralin.

Arachlin?

Hmm? I rubbed my eyes, glancing up sleepily at my brother.

You should eat something. He looked pointedly at my full plate and still-wrapped silverware. Your food’s getting cold.

Sure. Lackadaisically I unwrapped my napkin, letting my knife and fork clatter loudly to the table. Kyri glanced over at me, frowning with concern.

Are you all right? You usually eat like a pig, she said, getting up from where she sat to pull out the chair beside me.

I’m fine, I replied, gently smacking her hand away as she attempted to touch my brow and run a magic-based medical diagnosis. Just tired, that’s all. I smiled at her to take away some of the sting of my rejection, and she smiled back.

See that you eat a bit, she told me firmly. You’ll do no good to us if you fall off your horse after half a mile.

I won’t, I assured her, taking a few bites of the poached goose eggs on my plate. Catris is used to me sleeping while I ride, he won’t let me fall. Telgin rolled his eyes, but refrained from commenting directly. Instead he turned to confer with Niverius, who sat beside him with scroll and quill readily at hand, ceaselessly recording the activities of House Irilliartha.

You’ve remembered to note that our fearless leader is beginning the journey short on sleep from too much wenching the night before with my kitchen maids?

I wasn’t out wenching with anybody, I protested between bites of ham. I was researching the object of your betrothal errand.

Oh, is that what you call it?

He really was, Telgin, Niverius assured him. The lamps in the library were still lit when Hylios made his check of the manor just before the sun came up.

See? I stuck out my tongue at my twin, unable to stop myself from reverting to childhood behavior. Although I had a reputation for maintaining absolute calm under the most stressful of circumstances, Tel had always brought out the worst in me. Unruffled by my rudeness he threw a piece of toast at my head with deadly accuracy, smiling proudly when I reflexively reached up and caught it.

He’ll be all right, Telgin nodded to Niverius as though I weren’t even there. Be sure to note our fearless leader stayed up too late researching the subject matter of the quest upon which we are about to embark.

I have. Niverius grinned, pausing in his scribing to look at the Baron with twinkling brown eyes. I also noted the quester wrongfully accusing the fearless leader of wenching all night.

You don’t have to put that in there, my brother said defensively.

It’s my duty to accurately scribe the events which occur, the Minstrel said in an exaggeratedly sanctimonious tone. If we left out all the things people wanted us to leave out we’d have a view of history that looked like a Westgrove cheese, full of holes you could drive a carriage through.

Minstrels, Telgin snorted, rolling his eyes.

If it weren’t for our faultless reputation of honesty we wouldn’t be trusted to govern the continent, Niverius pointed out. More importantly, the human race probably would’ve gone extinct thousands of years ago during one of those silly wars propagated by one of the elder races.

Right, right. As Telgin backed down I grinned at Niverius, who smiled broadly in response. He might be officially the House Minstrel and therefore was in the employ of my brother, but he and I had always gotten along very well. So what did you find out during your hours of study, fearless leader?

What is all this ‘fearless leader’ business, anyway? I asked, disregarding Telgin’s question for the moment. I would be more inclined to say default leader, if anything.

He’s just feeling sulky because you told him to sit, stay, and behave, Kyri chuckled as she cast a fond glance at Telgin, who blushed. There are more commands to be given than ‘charge’, and he finds it difficult to come to grips with the fact that he won’t be the one giving those commands.

You don’t need to make a note of that, Niverius, I said with a smirk and a knowing look at my brother. Let’s preserve the dignity of the house if it’s at all possible. Anyway, I found out the Paralin isn’t actually a ruby, it’s a blood diamond. So much for the idea of just finding some other ruby and bringing it home.

I wouldn’t do that! Telgin objected vociferously, and I waved my hand at him to silence him.

I know that, Tel. We all know that. I am a procurer, however, so I had to at least examine the possibility of ending this quest in the quickest, most convenient fashion, despite your tender conscience.

So what exactly is a blood diamond? Kyri asked quickly to head off another pointless debate between my brother and I on the virtues of honesty. I looked down the table, noticing Niverius still busily scribing everything we said. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of that particular kind of stone before.

No, you wouldn’t have, because the Paralin is the only one that exists, I began launching into the results of my research. It is - or was, rather - a diamond approximately the size of a child’s ball found by Tirillae during the exodus of the dark elves. This is when we first pushed them across the Serithelea River, which was then called Alierdreia. Remember, the dragons inhabited the entire region south of the river at that point, all the way down to the coast. Tirillae somehow made contact with their queen, whose name has apparently never been recorded, and they came to an agreement that the dark elves would reside in the northern part of the mountains. These are referred to as the Twilight Mountains as opposed to the Draconic Range in the south, where, obviously, the dragons reside. How she did this, by the way, is not made clear, nor is the precise nature of the agreement she made.

You sound like you’re enjoying yourself, Telgin smiled at me when I paused to take a sip of water. Had you considered doing something honest for a living, like teaching history in a monastery?

"Perish the thought. Continuing on, then. The Paralin was a gift to the queen of the dragons and it’s occasionally referred to as ‘the promise’, although it’s said to be more a symbol of their alliance than any sort of bond in particular. Tirillae’s line is known to be bound to the silver dragons, but this appears to be some sort of separate arrangement. The Paralin was spelled by the dragons, then anointed with the blood of both Tirillae and the dragon queen. It turned red despite the fact that blood