take the name of one of our ancient enemies merely to frighten us.’
‘And yet...’
‘And yet my heart tells me that it is not the case. I believe it quite possible the daemon has returned to take vengeance on the elves, sire.’
‘I am afraid my advisors agree with you, prince. N’Kari has returned to slay all of the Blood of Aenarion. He has already made a very good beginning.’
A thrill of horror and concern passed through Tyrion. ‘What about my father, sire?’
‘A messenger will be dispatched to warn him. One he will trust and hopefully listen to.’
‘Korhien Ironglaive, sire?’
Finubar nodded. ‘They have been friends for a very long time.’
‘And what of myself and my brother, sire? What is there we can do?’
‘Stay alive, Prince Tyrion. And to that end you will be dispatched to the safest place in Elvendom. The Shrine of Asuryan. If there is any place that we can put you beyond the reach of the daemon, it is there.’
‘It is the holiest spot in Ulthuan. Do you really need to send us so far, sire?’
‘You were going to have to go there anyway, Prince Tyrion. You are of the Blood of Aenarion and that is where you will be tested for the Curse. We are killing two birds with one stone, you see.’
‘I understand.’ A courtier approached the Phoenix King and murmured something in his ear.
‘If you will excuse me, Prince Tyrion,’ Finubar murmured.
Tyrion understood that he had been dismissed.
Teclis studied Finubar with just as much interest as the Phoenix King studied him. He might never get another chance of doing it so he might as well make the most of the opportunity.
He saw a tall, athletic elf with an air that reminded him of every other Lothern merchant or captain he had so far encountered. Finubar had that air of command they all had and that air of brisk informality. His garb was much richer, of course. His robes were luxurious and formal, subtly understated but the finest in the lands. They were in keeping with this chamber.
Finubar was armed, even though Teclis was not. There were other White Lions in the room, at a discreet distance, just out of earshot of a murmured conversation, close enough to spring to Finubar’s rescue in the unlikely event of Teclis attempting an assassination. They were taking no chances. He understood why. There had been numerous attempts on the lives of Phoenix Kings in the course of asur history, all of them blamed on Malekith and the Cults of Luxury. Teclis was inclined to wonder whether that was a convenient fiction that covered up other conspiracies.
It was not just the external appearance of Finubar that interested Teclis though. It was the fact that he had been touched by a Power. Teclis could sense that about him. It was well concealed, hidden deeply in fact, but it was there. Finubar’s whole body was saturated with magical energy of a very particular kind. Teclis did not doubt for a moment that if he entered the chambers of the Sacred Flame at the Shrine of Asuryan he would sense the same power there.
He was not entirely sure what the magic of the Flame did for Finubar. It was, of course, a measure of the god’s blessing, but it seemed unlikely that so much energy could have been imprinted on him for only that effect. He warned himself to be careful and not make assumptions.
Who knew why the gods did anything?
‘You are very quiet, Prince Teclis,’ said Finubar. His voice was friendly, his manner open, and yet Teclis sensed something strange here. It was as if Finubar were acting a part of someone attempting to put somebody else at ease without really having a connection with them at all.
‘I am sorry, Chosen One,’ said Teclis.
‘I trust you are not going to tell me you were overwhelmed by my presence,’ said Finubar. There seemed to be genuine warmth in the smile now.
‘No, Chosen One, I am not.’
‘You see the Flame, don’t you? And please spare me the title. I do not often have private conversations these days. Call me Finubar at least while we are in this chamber or sire if you must.’
‘Yes, I see the Flame,’ Teclis said, wondering how Finubar knew. ‘It glows through your flesh.’
‘Loremasters and archmages and those very sensitive to magic see that. You are not yet one of the first two so I must assume that you are the latter.’