the elvish question 2

 yes,  it has grammar/punctuation issues, don't worry, I'll sort them out for him before it goes to edit

The Elvish Question

Chapter 2

 

"Demons have politics?" I asked Chessina.

"Castamir my love, they have nothing else." Chessina replied, "no two demons are precisely equal in the hierarchy. All of them are constantly striving to raise themselves up and do their enemies down. They promise loyalty to those above them and try to gain followers and trade favours to increase their power and that of their patron. Cheating, bribery, sabotage, treachery, double dealing, character assassination and actual assassination are all expected parts of demonic society. Although assassinations are somewhat rare."

"Why is that?" Tasayne enquired.

"Because dear Tasayne, demons are far more afraid of death than mortals." Chessina replied. "There is no afterlife for demons, if they are killed on their home plane, so they are wary of killing another demon, in case its followers or superiors have the killer murdered in its turn."

"That's horrible!" Exclaimed Tasayne.

"Yes it is." Agreed Chessina. "By the way, all demons are inveterate and instinctive liars. The only time a demon will tell the truth is when that would benefit the demon more than a lie. Be very careful when dealing with demons, all of you. They are adept at making lies sound like truth, except for those malodorous runts that wizards call least demons. They're too stupid to lie well, but they still lie.   

"Did you find out anything else about the amulet, dear one?" asked Tasayne of Dragovar changing the subject. I suspected Tasayne found the conversation uncomfortable. Wizards do tend to learn a lot of things that are most uncomfortable to know. Tasayne then blushed prettily, having used an endearment for Dragovar in public. Dragovar smiled lovingly at her.

"Yes, I did," he said, " the amulet projects a ray of radiant energy that can do a great deal of tissue damage that would usually be fatal. If you hadn't had the lesser sphere of protection, you would have been dead Castamir. I'm surprised that you weren't badly injured without the tower's backup, as you left your staff with me for safekeeping."

"The magic of the amulet may work differently in the Halls of Waiting, Dragovar," I said, not wishing to confide the true secret of the tower to anyone other than Chessina. Even to my best friend. "Sorry to interrupt, what else have you learned."

 "The ray is really a very narrow cone and anything that gets in the way would suffer the effects. Dragovar continued, "However, the spell is powered by the blue gem in the centre. It's not a sapphire, in fact I'm not quite sure what it is, but from my examination the gem's crystal structure degrades with every use of the ray. I think the amulet can only produce it three more times before the crystal disintegrates. I assume you will be taking it with you, Castamir."

"When we go to deal with Fishface, yes," I replied, "but as it has so few charges, not before."

"This is all very interesting, and thank you Dragovar for all your efforts, but this doesn't help us to deal with the elves," remarked Chessina.

"We'll need to persuade priestess Oakheart to go with us," I said.

"Why would you need a druidic nature priestess," asked Dragovar.

"Precisely because she is a druidic nature priestess," I replied, "we'll need her nature magics and affinity to the forest to even find the elven capital."

"I thought you said you'd been to the elven capital once, with Harmon, your late master," said Chessina.

"I have," I explained, "but this was shortly after Harmon took me as his apprentice, everything was strange to me. Harmon explained that he had to use special magics to find the capital, as it was concealed by elven spells and the forest itself. The subject never came up again and I don't know what magic to use."

"Harmon never visited the elves again?" queried Dragovar.

"No, he was never invited," I responded, "elves don't react well to intruders. They tend to fill them full of arrows first, and not bother about questioning the corpse later."

"Why was Harmon invited by the elves?" asked Tasayne.

"I don't know," I said, "he was closeted with the elven king, high mage and several advisors. I was called 'human scum', and while I wasn't quite spat on, it was close, and it was made very clear that if I was found somewhere I shouldn't be, I would be dead."

"You don't like elves, do you?" asked Dragovar ironically.

"No, and nor did Harmon," I replied, "we much prefer Dwarves. Neither dwarves nor elves will ever forget a slight, and rarely will they forgive. A dwarf however, will tell you to your face why they hate you. They may then try to smash your head in with an axe, but they're not sly. The first intimation you may have that you've annoyed an elf, is when you're hit by a poison arrow, in the back."

"Did Harmon ever write about that trip in one of his journals?" Chessina asked.

"I don't know, but it's well worth looking," I replied.

"By the way Dragovar," Chessina remarked, "have you done anything to your major-domo Ammand? He practically grovelled in front of us, which is a big change from his former attitude of treating us like something unpleasant he'd just stood in."

"I have rebuked him for discourtesy to you as my guests." Dragovar explained, "I also pointed out that turning someone into an ass, yes the story of what you did to my nephew Lord Pennover has got about, was relatively mild compared to what you could do."

"You know I couldn't really do anything else with Pennover apart from killing him," I said, "he was wilful and ungovernable at the best of times, but when he took ten year old Norva hostage, I had no choice."

"I know that," said Dragovar, "just as I had little choice when I did the same to his mother, former Duchess Renilla. Given her asinine, pardon the pun, foray into demonology, killing her would have strengthened her demonic patron. What did you call him again?"

"Pointyteeth." replied Chessina succinctly.

"Well, as you and Castamir banished him back to the Abyss, we won't have to worry about his direct involvement for the next one hundred years and a day." said Dragovar, with I thought just the hint of smugness.

"Well, approximately that long," replied Chessina, "with demons you can't be completely certain of anything. Time doesn't run in the demon worlds in the same way it does on middle worlds. Demons leave off trying to return for what they perceive to be 100 years, and then add the day to prevent being destroyed by trying to out-fox the universe. That never goes well."

"Have there been any more problems with that coterie of foolish women that Renilla bamboozled into helping her with her demon summoning?" I asked.

"Fortunately no." said Dragovar, "Without Renilla to lead them none of them has the initiative to get into serious trouble. They are contenting themselves with adultery, back-biting and character assassination."

"Normal court life in other words." I remarked.

"Cynic." Tasayne commented.

"Yes." I replied.

 

oOo

 

"Thank you for attending on us so promptly Towermaster Castamir and Apprentice Chessina." Said King Beremar.

"Royal Wizard Dragovar emphasised the need for haste your Majesty." I replied. Actually Dragovar hadn't, he'd just summoned Chessina and me peremptorily but I wasn't about to embarrass my best friend in front of the king and queen. This audience was taking place in one of the private chambers in the palace. It was a comfortable wood panelled parlour if rather more well appointed than most I had been in. There were curtains on the windows and they and all the upholstery were of fine fabrics. The furniture was all wonderful examples of the joiners art and the carving was exquisite if restrained. Queen Silavelle as hostess was pouring the tea, which I thought rather unusual.

"You intimated in your message that you had a possible solution to the problem of the elves Dragovar," said the king, "but you gave no details and asked for a meeting without servants."

"Yes majesty," Dragovar said, "I wanted no one to overhear as the plan is . . . somewhat unorthodox. I would like to prevent eavesdropping if you will permit?" As the king nodded Dragovar gestured and the curtains pulled shut. Dragovar made a different gesture and the doors and windows were outlined with a violet glow.

"We will not be overheard majesties," Dragovar announced, "as the plan . . ."

"Chimneys." interrupted Chessina.

"I beg your pardon?" Dragovar almost snapped.

"Chimneys," said Chessina, "you haven't sealed the chimneys against eavesdropping."

"Do you really think . . . " Dragovar began.

"Can you afford to take the chance?" Chessina asked.

"No." Said Dragovar. "You have the annoying habit of being right." At his gesture the fireplace and chimney were also outlined in the violet glow.

"As I was about to say before I was so . . . cogently interrupted," continued Dragovar, "the plan being apprentice Chessina's she should be the one to explain it."

"The plan is a simple one your majesties, blackmail." Said Chessina. "Castamir knows at least one grubby little secret of the elves that they really don't want others to know. Threaten to reveal it and they should capitulate."

"That is excellent news." Said the king, brightening.

"Unfortunately we have just learned that there is demonic involvement with the elves." added Chessina.

"By the gods, no," cried Queen Silavelle, "will we never be free of those monstrous things?"

"Alas, while there are greedy and foolish wizards, we will never be free of such." Said Dragovar sententiously.

"Dragovar if you try to keep an eye on those suspected of demonology," Chessina said firmly, "we can reduce such occurrences. Particularly if Castamir and I discourage those demons who do get involved . . . permanently. Majesties, most demons have far more pressing concerns than getting involved with mortals. It's only a few who take the time and effort to involve mortals in their schemes. Despite what demonologists think it is they who are involved in demonic schemes, not the other way around."

"You know a great deal about demons." King Beremar remarked.

"She is our acknowledged expert, majesty." I replied.

"You seem so young, apprentice Chessina." said Queen Silavelle.

"I am much older than I look, majesties." Chessina said. "I was born Shareen, the aunt of Sir Tasseder. Through the perfidy of my own brother I was enslaved in the Abyss for many years before I was rescued."

As their majesties expressed their sympathies, I reflected how proud I was of Chessina, she had told the truth about her antecedents without letting on that she had actually been a demon. If she had, I doubt the king and queen would be anywhere near as sympathetic as they were. Dragovar and Tasayne were good friends to us both.

"May we both know what is the secret that you're going to use to blackmail the elves?" King Beremar asked Chessina.

"I think, your majesties, that it would be better if you didn't know," I said before Chessina could say anything, "what you don't know, you cannot reveal, even accidentally."

"There aren't any elves at court, surely," said the queen, "if there were any magically disguised Dragovar would have detected them, wouldn't you." Queen Silavelle turned to look at Dragovar as she spoke.

"Probably yes, your majesty," Dragovar replied, "but that doesn't mean that they might not have spies at court."

"They might want to at that," I remarked, "but what would make anyone want to spy for the elves. Most Elves despise humans, I know that for a fact."

"Apart from money?" Dragovar asked ironically, "You know that elves despise humans, but most people don't. To them elves are mysterious, enigmatic and, reputedly, beautiful. There are enough people who would be overjoyed that such wonderful beings would deign to ask them for a small favour, and pay them too. Some people seem to enjoy being walked on."

"Yes, that's right." Said Chessina, brightly. "Although I've never understood the attraction myself . . . ah . . . I'd probably better not say anymore." She blushed on seeing the expressions on the faces of the king and queen.

"Chessina's experiences in the Abyss are not something she talks about readily your majesties." I explained gravely. As their majesties nodded in sympathy, I recalled several conversations where Chessina explained that her time working as a pleasure demon was not really unpleasant. She was a cheerfully uninhibited person, and by this time I knew precisely how uninhibited she could be.

 

oOo

 

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you both in front of the king and queen." said Chessina rather contritely.

"You didn't, Chessina," said Dragovar, "they were sympathetic to you. Please don't go overboard about possibly embarrassing their majesties. Some people can take it to extremes. See that elderly gentleman over there?" Dragovar indicated a man in conversation with a group of courtiers. Old Demitrel was away from court, for a long time."

"Why was that?" I asked.

"When making his formal bow to Queen Silavelle, he let loose a tremendous fart, poor man," explained Dragovar, "he was so embarrassed he went into self imposed exile, for . . . it must be five years now. That was silly, the queen wasn't annoyed."

I caught Chessina looking intently at several courtiers, she didn't like any of them, I recalled.

"No, Chessina," I said flatly, "you may not."

"Oww, why not master?" she asked.

"Partly because it would be bad manners to reduce the royal court to a shadow of itself," I explained, "and partly because at least Dragovar knows where these people are, and can keep an eye on them. Who knows what mischief they might get up to out of his sight for years. I'm not going to say anything about making ordinary farts glow, or even fluoresce if you must."

Chessina grinned at me.

I grinned back.

A movement in my peripheral vision caught my attention. A young girl wearing court costume seemed to have torn her dress on the corner of an elaborately carved desk. She looked at it in irritation, and pointed her finger at the tear. Her finger started to glow and as the child moved her finger the rip mended. Then my head seemed to explode in agony.

The pain rapidly receded, seeming to drain away through my staff and I became aware of Chessina leaning heavily against me, her face drawn with pain. Dragovar had his hands to his head.

"Are you both alright?" I asked anxiously.

"The pain is fading, love," said Chessina, faintly, "Don't worry."

"Thank you for your concern, Castamir, I will be fine in a moment." Replied Dragovar. "It seems we have a young wizard at court. What we just felt was the backlash from untrained magic used nearby."

Our actions had not gone unnoticed and everyone turned to look at us, including the young girl who had mended her dress. She reminded me of someone. At that moment one of Arcana little missives dumped its contents into my brain, whether I wanted it or not.

"Yes there is a young wizard here, Dragovar." I said. "You, and several other people will be having a rather important dream tonight. I suggest you heed it, Arcana has something to tell you all."

"Who is the young mage?" Dragovar enquired earnestly.

"That would spoil the surprise." I replied.

"You can be insufferable at times, Castamir." Snapped Dragovar.

"Yes, but you love me anyway."