that he and Iltharis had been talking about him in private and Iltharis’s appearance was not mere happenstance.
‘It is good of you to say so.’
‘No, Korhien, it is honest of me to say so. Now I must thank you for an interesting morning’s entertainment and bid you adieu.’ With that Prince Iltharis bowed and strolled away across the courtyard.
The other pupils were looking at Tyrion now with something like awe. It appeared that Prince Iltharis was well-known and respected among the young warriors of the Emeraldsea Palace.
‘Who was he?’ Tyrion asked Atharis, after Iltharis was out of sight.
‘Prince Iltharis is one of the deadliest swords in all Ulthuan. He has killed more elves in duels than anyone in living memory. Some whisper that he is an assassin for his House.’
‘An assassin?’
‘Sometimes duels are fought over more than points of honour. Sometimes they are fought to remove political inconveniences or as part of political manoeuvres.’
Tyrion stared at him for a long moment then smiled. ‘I start to understand why you all take this practice so seriously.’
‘It is, as Korhien said, a matter of life and death. Sometimes it has larger consequences for our House and our families. I doubt you have very much to worry about though.’
‘I do if Prince Iltharis comes after me. Or anyone nearly as good.’
‘There are very few that good in Ulthuan and his House is allied to our own.’
‘Alliances can always be broken,’ said Tyrion.
‘I see you have a swift grasp of politics as well as how to use a blade,’ said Atharis. ‘We could be useful friends to each other.’
Tyrion extended his hand and clasped the others’. ‘I can always use a friend,’ he said.
Teclis woke to find Malene sitting by his bed. She looked a little worried.
‘What happened?’ he asked. The last thing he could remember was watching Tyrion leave for his fencing lesson. He had walked over to the table and bent over to pick something up. Then he had felt dizzy...
His heart sank. It seemed like his illness had returned.
‘You were taken ill,’ she said. She looked rueful. ‘I think you have been over-exerting yourself recently. You have not recovered as much as you appeared to have. It seems I am not quite as good an alchemist as I thought.’
‘Yes, you are. I have never felt better in my life than the past few days,’ Teclis said.
‘Nonetheless you must be careful not to push yourself too hard. You are still far from healthy.’
‘I believe I am in a position to understand that,’ said Teclis, gesturing at his recumbent form. Malene smiled. There was a knock on the door, an odd double tap that sounded unlike any knock Teclis had heard before. Malene seemed to recognise it. She made a face.
‘Come in,’ she said.
A tall, lithe looking elf entered. His hair was dark and his eyes a piercing grey. His skin was pale compared to the elves of Lothern. His manner was quite exquisite. His clothing had the elegance of the dandy. A faint lingering perfume billowed in advance.
‘Ah, the delightful Lady Malene. I was told I would find you here,’ he said. ‘And this will be your new pupil. Let us hope that he is as good a student of magic as his brother is of the blade.’
‘Prince Iltharis,’ said Lady Malene smoothly. ‘It is a pleasure to see you as always.’ She did not sound as if it was a pleasure. Her expression was reserved as it normally was.
‘I am Prince Iltharis,’ said the elf, bowing formally and smiling. It was a very charming smile, open and friendly. ‘Since Lady Malene has not seen fit to introduce us, perhaps you would do me the favour of telling me your name.’
‘I am Prince Teclis.’
‘Excellent. As I suspected, you are the brother of that splendid specimen down in the courtyard.’
‘I heard you were teaching him a lesson with the sword,’ said Lady Malene.
‘News travels fast around here. He does not need too many lessons from me, or anyone else for that matter. He is a natural with the blade.’
Prince Iltharis brought a chair over to beside the bed. He carried it one-handed although it was made from heavy carved wood. He was stronger than he looked, Teclis thought.
‘That is quite a compliment, coming from you,’ said Malene. She did not sound convinced. She turned to Teclis. ‘Korhien says Prince Iltharis is the best elf with a blade in Lothern, possibly Ulthuan.’
Teclis filed away that information. Iltharis did not look like a warrior. He