Chapter 9

Part 1

“So, you are about two hundred and forty-eight centimeters tall, not counting the thickness of your sandals.” Yazadril pronounced. “The way the spell was cast, there was some uncertainty due to the hair on the top of your head. You are certainly the largest human I have ever had the pleasure to meet, though not the largest there has ever been. The tallest I know of topped you by ten centimeters, but then, he lived over three thousand years ago, and you’re still growing.

“At any rate, my young friend, I think I will take my leave now. I will return in a few hours with a barber, a tailor, and a few house builders. And at least one more wizard.” Yazadril told him as he packed the empty goblets and the bottle of wine in his sack and stood, then he became thoughtful again. “I should limit it to one more wizard, since we will be dealing with dangerous knowledge. On the other hand, I need at least one to assist me in this. It is too important to keep to myself, and though I am the master theoretician, I should include an intuitive, someone who is the finest in skill and power.

“Hmm, when I think about it that way, the choice is obvious. Alilia, Princess of the People of Life, finest wizard among the forest elves and a good friend of mine for most of her life. She would be perfect for this!”

Then his bushy white eyebrows suddenly snapped up to his forehead. “But she is a person you will have to be careful not to offend! Alilia, well, she expects a certain deference from everyone, generally, except me, and we all generally agree that she’s entitled to it. It would be wise to be on your most respectful behavior while she’s here.”

“She’s older than you? More powerful?” Markee asked nervously

“Not older, as she is four thousand eight hundred and sixty-six years old, but vastly more powerful. I was only an average wizard until I was over two thousand, and since then I have continued to improve, whereas my contemporaries have died off, until I have reached pre-eminence in my specialties, which are magic dealing with knowledge and information, and with precision.

“Alilia’s is another story entirely. Her mother had to work hard to keep her from casting Force bolts during temper tantrums while she was still in the womb! A few seconds after she was born she found the softest birthing blanket to be uncomfortable after the buoyancy of the womb, so she Levitated, perfectly still, just a finger’s breadth in the air! Even I don’t have that kind of Levitation control today! And though she has little of my vast theoretical knowledge, her skills have become finely tuned indeed! Whereas I and most other wizards must study magic and use it like a tool, with Alilia it is almost entirely intuitive, and using her vast power is as natural as using her hand or her voice.

“She has ended wars and dominated empires with a few gestures. For an elf, she is almost power personified. And beyond all that, she is the ruling monarch of a great nation encompassing vast lands, peopled by hundreds of thousands of elves.

“But, I do not want to intimidate you; I am just a bit enthusiastic about her. And though she can sometimes be a bit… abrasive, I am very fond of her. She can be harsh, but she is fair. If you do offend her, she will only use words to strike at you, but you would not enjoy it.”

“I knew this was sounding too good to be true.” Markee grumbled. “Does it have to be her?”

“No one else could help us learn as thoroughly, which is important to me, or as quickly, which is important to you. And if you can earn her affection, there is no one who could be a more valuable friend.”

“Well, I guess you know best.”

“In this case, I do indeed! Farewell, Markee, until late this afternoon or early this evening.”

“Farewell till then, Yazadril.” Markee returned, and was going to offer his hand again when the old elf bowed. The young man was relieved by this, as he had found it awkward shaking Yazadril’s tiny and ancient hand, and he bowed from the waist in return without standing. This seemed to please Yazadril, who turned and paced purposely from the glen, whistling a happy tune.

Yazadril was met by his four Sentries as soon as he was well out of Markee’s sight, thirty meters up the path.

“You have heard all that was said?” he asked as they gathered around him, reverting to his native tongue.

“Yes.” Yalla nodded. “You are right, he does seem harmless enough. His tale is certainly most tragic. And I admit that I am curious to see how he will appear when he is barbered!”

“Well, I ask you to keep his confidence and to respect his privacy. He does not know that we have eavesdropped, and now that he is an ally, we will cease doing so. Also note that certain matters that were discussed must remain confidential for as long as possible, for all our sakes. We will not be able to hide his transparency to magic forever, but we must hide the theoretical basis for it, and the importance thereof. We will pass it off as a harmless curiosity. None must know that he passed the Wards, beyond those who already know; the senior wizards and your squad! I hate to tell you to lie, but if anyone asks, I passed him through the barriers! We will stress this need for confidentiality, you to your squad mates, and myself to the wizards.

“Two of you keep a distant watch on him, for his protection. Inform me immediately if he leaves the vicinity of the clearing. We will send relief for you when we get to the top of the pass.

“Now, I am not in the mood to waste time trudging home. And since you, Yalla, are due for testing on your Flight skills, I ask that you fly me.”

Yalla chuckled. “I know that you have found my rides to be rough and windy. Do not worry, I have become much more skilled at fine control and shielding the wind since the last time you flew with me!”

“I should hope so.” Yazadril griped good-naturedly as Yalla stepped behind him.

She hugged him tightly around his chest as she hummed a long, high note to bring them into harmony, then her Levitation field encompassed him, the Movement component of the spell activated, and they lifted off.