Castien, an elf mage who cannot speak except with the aid of a magical dagger, has been captured while on a mission. He is freed by his companion, the warrior elf Daeron, and returns with him to Daeron’s homeland. There they will join forces to rid the land of a Lord bent on the destruction of the elves.<br><br>Theirn, a young half-elf thief, attempts to rob Castien during his stay at an inn and is caught by the mage. Much against Theirn’s will, he is enlisted into the group of rebel elves. But as Theirn's infatuation with Castien grows, he becomes more than eager to risk treachery, betrayal, and even death on dangerous missions just to be close to the man he is growing to love.

Mage of Silence

“Damnation,” he muttered. “Castien, get ready to leave immediately, gods know how much longer we have before they return. You,” he turned to the lad, “are coming with us.” That said he started out of the room.


The lad jumped up with a shake of his head as he glared at Daeron. “I won’t go with you, you can’t make me.”


“I’m very much afraid we can indeed, one way or the other, so you might as well accept it. Besides from what little you’ve said I don’t see that you have anything holding you here, you mentioned no family, only yourself.”


“Well, yes, I am alone, but still you have no right to take me, you know that.” He stared at them, tossed his head angrily, then went to pick up a cape that lay on the floor where he had been kneeling when Castien had found him. He flung it over his shoulders defiantly and headed to the door, trying to brush past Daeron.


Chapter 5