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

As they rode down the trail the lad, who until now had been silent, turned his head to look at Castien and ask, “Where are we going?” When Castien shrugged, he frowned. “Surely you have some idea.” Castien shook his head. “You are a quiet one, aren’t you?” the lad said next. “I don’t think you’ve said a word since we’ve met. Cat got your tongue?” Then he put his hand to his mouth, apparently appalled at what he’d said, and began to apologize profusely. “I am sorry, you are mute, aren’t you? No wonder you don’t speak. I should have realized. Forgive me.”


Castien smiled, signed that he was forgiven and mouthed, “What is your name?”


“Theirn.” He then turned away to watch the trail ahead of them and shivered a little.


Chapter 6