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

“By all the gods I won’t,” Theirn had said adamantly. “I am not some…some…” He couldn’t think of a word to describe what they wanted from him.


“A male courtesan?” Daeron had asked with amusement.


“A male anything,” Theirn had growled, which led to laughter from both Castien and Daeron, and finally from Theirn when he realized what he had said. “How can you ask this of me,” he had asked plaintively when the laughter had ceased.


“Castien wants you with him, he needs your skills,” Daeron had pointed out.


“Could I not just be his manservant?”


“He says if you were, you would not be allowed to be with him at all times, and I believe he knows whereof he speaks.”


Castien had nodded in agreement. “Servants are not allowed at functions such as state dinners,”he signed.


More arguments had ensued but in the end Theirn had, with great reluctance, agreed to do as they wished. It would after all allow him to be with Castien, which he greatly desired, no matter how he had to achieve it.


Chapter 10