which galled him, for he knew his brother would never behave so towards him. It was just one more way in which he was better.
‘I do not mean to, but it is hard sometimes,’ he admitted. ‘I live on his charity, me and father both.’
Malene studied him. ‘You do not live on his charity. He has given most of what he owns to you and your father. It is all yours now, not his. He told me to tell you that if the matter ever came up.’
‘Why would he do that?’
‘He knows your father needs the money and he was letting me know something as well.’
Somehow this did not make Teclis feel any better. ‘He earned that money with his raiding and his trading. He did it while I was studying at Hoeth. I think sometimes he does these things to make me feel bad.’
‘You think your brother gifts you with gold in order to make you feel bad?’ Malene’s smile was curious. ‘Explain!’ For a second, she was the old Malene, his tutor in magic and alchemy.
‘Even Tyrion’s generosity is a weapon. Or rather, a display of superiority. He is saying he is the one who is in a position of power. He is always the one who helps us, helps me. It is never the other way.’
Malene steepled her fingers. ‘I am surprised it has taken such an intelligent elf so long to realise this,’ she said.
Teclis smiled sourly. ‘I have never been good with people.’
‘Better than you think.’
‘You agree with me then?’
‘Of course. The question you really should ask yourself is why your brother behaves this way.’
‘Because he likes to feel superior.’
‘No. Because he still feels inferior.’
‘Why should he do that? Everyone always praises him. He is probably the best-loved elf in Lothern.’
‘It was not always so.’
‘I do not remember it any other way.’
‘I do.’
‘Your memory is better than mine then, lady.’
‘We both know it is not. But I can still remember a day that you seem to have forgotten.’
‘What day is that?’
‘The day I first saw the pair of you.’ Malene smiled fondly, as if recalling something that was special to her.
‘You saw a sickly child and a perfect elf boy.’
‘I saw a father who doted on the sick son who resembled him and who shared his interests. I saw another boy who was excluded because he had no interest in or talent for the Art, only for things his father despised or considered of no consequence. It was a small house and there was only one parent.’
‘You think Tyrion still remembers that?’
‘Probably not, but it does not matter. It set his feet on a certain path and he probably cannot even remember now why he still walks it. What matters is that he does.’
Teclis turned this thought over and over in his mind. He had been so lost in his own bitterness that he had never even thought that Tyrion might have some of his own. He always seemed so happy and secure. ‘I am not sure I believe that. He has never said anything to me.’
‘He is even more self-contained than you are, though you may not believe that. And he has said something to you. He says it by his actions.’
‘You are as wise as you are lovely, lady,’ Teclis said eventually.
‘And it is pleasant to discover you have acquired some elven graces over the years. Now I presume this is not purely a social call. You have something you wish to discuss with me.’ It had been a social call really. He had just wanted to see her and reassure himself, but he could not say that out loud.
‘Tyrion told me you were troubled about something before he went to visit Prince Iltharis today. He said you told him that the winds of magic have changed. He did not know what it meant, but he said it sounded ominous. My father has been saying similar things. And I had a message from Hoeth this morning. It seems the High Loremaster shares your fears.’
‘I am troubled, Teclis. More than I can say. There is something not right with the world, and not right with the flow of magic, although I cannot put my finger on exactly what.’
‘Then I have something that may disquiet you more. In Lustria I found a slann prophecy. I feel it may be of grave importance. If I am not mistaken, it concerns the return of Chaos to our world, and if I understand the slann dating system, it