all these years he's harbored you. His mind must be as strong as an ox and his willpower too. And you were too unempowered to recognize him in your midst, you poor weak Valisar fool."
"What are you talking about?" Gavriel demanded. He turned to Leo. "Tell me what this is about."
Leo briefly explained what an aegis meant.
Gavriel returned his attention to Loethar. "What kind of nonsense is this?"
Loethar shrugged, ignoring the pain it caused him. "You saw Faris. Go ask him."
"I'm asking you!" Gavriel growled.
"And I've already told you, de Vis."
"Then you lie," Leo spat. He laughed. "Power has certainly gone to your head, barbarian. An aegis isn't just available. He is created for a Valisar. If Faris is indeed an aegis, which I doubt...and I doubt the very existence of the role but - "
"That's because you have no power and - "
Leo ignored him. "But other misinformed dolts like you down the centuries have tried to trammel a Vested in the vain hope it would give you power." Leo pointed at him, his expression filled with a sneer. "And that's maybe why you ate my father - trying to consume power where there was none."
In an effort beyond normal strength, Loethar somehow dragged himself to his feet, hauling himself up with the help of the tree he leaned against. He pointed at Leo. "Go fetch your outlaw. You are the fool. He is mine and that's why he fears me."
Leo was trembling with anger. "Only a Valisar can trammel an aegis."
Loethar howled a laugh that turned into a sneering grimace. "That is also my understanding. Your father was the imposter and he knew it, Leo. He always knew of my existence. He hoped it would always remain a secret. Let me share it with you now. Your grandfather sired me. I am Valisar, you pathetic child. I was Valisar before your father! I am the true King of Penraven!"
Epilogue
Corbel had been feeling uneasy all day. In the moments before dawn, when he had seen a shooting star and experienced a strange sensation of calling, he had begun to believe that the moment was finally upon them. And this feeling had intensified in the hours since. Now it was late afternoon and he could swear his skin was all but tingling with anticipation.
It had been so long, he couldn't be certain that he wasn't simply imagining it but he could swear magic was bristling around him. He had to trust his instincts. His father had told him that all his life. His king had given him similar advice when he had kissed his daughter farewell and handed her to Corbel. And Sergius had offered similar words of wisdom when they had walked down to the beach all those years ago. His instincts to open himself up to the magic again were not just tugging at his consciousness; they were screaming at him.
"Reg!" called a voice, startling him.
He turned and smiled as the familiar warmth rippled through him upon seeing her approaching. The spectacles she wore were plain glass and a deliberate attempt to hide her youth, lend a greater air of authority. He grinned more widely. They always amused him, especially as she'd only shared her secret of them with him.
"You've forgotten to take your stethoscope off," he said, touching its end, careful not to touch her.
She looked down and snorted. "I forget it's there. It feels like part of me these days. How are you?"
"Different."
She regarded him with bemusement. "You know, Reg, you're meant to just say something along the lines of, 'I'm fine,' and let the inquirer move on."
"Why?"
"It's polite and you know it. How are you ever going to find a girl being so contrary?"
"I don't want to find a girl."
"Whyever not? You can't live like a monk, surely?"
"Who says I do?"
That took her off guard. He smiled to ease her discomfort.
"Ooh, you make me mad sometimes." She tugged his beard briefly and he tried not to flinch. Just feeling her simple, friendly touch could derail his thoughts, his whole night. And this evening - of all evenings - he needed to be focused.
"That needs clipping," she said, sneering at his beard and sounding softly disgusted. "Do you want me to do it?"
He shook his head. "I can manage."
"I'm glad I found you so close to the hospital," she said.
"Why's that?"
"I wanted to apologize for missing lunch today."
"You don't have to. I never expect anything of you."
"Don't be so obliging," she said, pursing her lips in