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

“I’m outnumbered. All right, you may stay, but keep quiet.”


Theirn glared at him but nodded in agreement.


They spent the next hour going over the plans of the Lord’s castle which, as Daeron had said, were far from complete, and he told them what little more he knew of the place and its defenses.


Castien sighed as he shook his head in frustration. “I don’t think swords are your strong point, Theirn.” He spoke since it was difficult to teach someone if he could not communicate verbally. Castien figured he had perhaps an hour to at least decide what weapons Theirn could and should use.


Had Theirn been surprised Castien could speak? Yes. Did he ask how? Of course. Did Castien tell him? No. The fewer people who knew the better and he did not know, yet, if they could really trust Theirn. Castien knew he was more inclined to trust him than the others were but even so he would only go so far at present.


Chapter 9