Page 7 of The Night Prince

“What?No, of course I’m going to still try and get into the Academy!I don’t study all this lore just for the games, but for the admissions test, too!”Finley protested.

In truth, the D&D games had come out of his study of the lore for the admissions test to Taranth Academy of Magic and the Arcane Arts.Though Michael and Shonda would have happily taken care of all his and Declan’s wants and needs with their salaries as Council Members–and there was, of course, the stipends given to every human by the Empire–both he and Declan had wanted to contribute and be independent.They werenota drain on the economy as that stupid goblin had said!

Not that there were a lot of jobs for humans.It was only because Declan was so unusually capable that he’d even got work as a bartender.So while Finley had been studying for the admissions test, he’d realized he could use that knowledge to make some money too by staging role-playing games.

At first, it had only been a few regulars at the Dawn who had agreed to give him a couple of coins to play.They had definitely done it out of pity and some amusement to see how badly thehumanwould mess things up. He was using their races and lore after all to create his game.Getting it right–perfect, in fact–was essential, plus, of course, it had to be entertaining.And somehow, he’d done both successfully.More than successfully.

It was no longer just Dawn regulars at his gaming table.People came from far and wide to join his games.Now he had to turn people away for lack of space and time.If he got into the Academy–when I get in, he rephrased firmly–he’d have to give up DMing or just do it on weekends.Being the one and only human at the Academy would require him to be twice as good–maybe more than that–as any other student to be taken at all seriously.

“How Finley become mage with no magic?”Snaglak pressed as he rolled the empty mug between his large, clawed hands.

The orc knew the answer to that.He’d heard Finley tell others plenty of times.He was just trying to annoy Finley enough to go get him free beer.But Finley would not give in!

“Just because humans don’t use magicyetdoesn’t mean that theycan’t.We’ve just never been taught,” Finley explained patiently.

It would have been so much easier to make Snaglak and everyone else believe humans really could be taught magic if Declan wereoutabout his gifts. Then again, Declan’s powers weren’t like any other magic out there that he’d seen or read about.Declan’s gifts might be unique to humans or maybe unique only to him.

Finley continued, “There is nothing about humanity that should rule out magical ability.In fact, there have been loads of examples in history of humans having some kind of magical powers from precognition to telekinesis.”

“But doesn’t magic take a long time to learn?”Snaglak prodded.“And humans die quickly.”

“Well, yes, but that’s because it’s been taughtbybeingsforbeings who live forever.But that’s not to say that humans couldn’t pick up magic during a normal mortal lifespan if the pace of instruction was increased,” Finley answered.

Personally, he thought that the Sun Elves simply treated the learning process like they treated everything else in their immortal lives: as if they had all the time in the world.But if their students didn’t have that amount of time, if they were limited to a mere hundred years at best, he was certain that the teaching could be sped up to accommodate short, mortal lives, too.

“Has Finley ever done magic like old humans did?”Snaglak looked up at Finley with big eyes as his cup drifted closer to Finley’s hands.

“N-no, but I haven’t been taught!I mean, I’ve just learned Katyr well enough to read it and… Well, the books haven’t been… I’m sure that ifsomeonejust takes the time to teach me, I’ll figure it out!”Finley ended lamely.

The cup sat between them.Empty.Yearning to be filled.

Snaglak pointed out, “Don’t most Aravae use magicbeforethey go to the Acad–”

“Fine, I’ll get your beer!”Finley stood up and glared at Snaglak.

The orc lowered his head.“I’m sorry, Finley.I think you’ll be a great mage.Better than anyone.If you have magic.”

If I have magic.That’s the real question, isn’t it?Finley thought with a trace of despair.It’s not about desire, but innate ability.Yet, even if I don’t have the ability, it’s an honor to learn about magic.But will that be enough for the Aravae to let me into their greatest academy?

Finley let out a long breath and ran a hand through his hair.“It’s okay, Snaglak.You’re just saying out loud what everyone else only thinks, but is too polite to say.Not that you aren’t being polite, just blunt.Like you always are.And I appreciate that.”

“You very smart.You figure things out for sure.First human to make magic will be you, Finley.”Snaglak grinned at him.

It was interesting to realize that Snaglak didn’t equate what Declan did with magic.Maybe it was because Declan had only shown martial grace, strength and speed rather than throwing fireballs that Snaglak didn’t associate the two.But Michael was pretty sure that the Aravae’s magic was what made them such incredible fighters even when they weren’t wielding the elements, but swords or bows.Finley agreed with him.

“Thanks.I’ll get your beer, but you really need to pay for the next one, Snaglak,” Finley chided him gently.

“I will, Finley, but my coin purse is light.Not many Leviathan to kill.Separatists only pay per fang brought back,” Snaglak said with a shrug.

The Leviathan were made of darkness without any real physical form at all until they died and left behind a single, huge curved fang, rather like a monstrous viper tooth.It was those that Snaglak and others turned in to get rewards from the humans who chose to live outside the magical shields.Finley was surprised there were any Separatists left alive.But, then again, they’d lived under the Aravae’s magical domes until after most of the threat was eliminated.

“Well, the war with the Leviathan is over so I guess that makes sense,” Finley said as he picked up Snaglak’s cup and pitcher.

“War isn’t over.”Snaglak frowned.“Aravae no go into the Under Dark and burn all the Leviathan nests.”

The skin between Finley’s shoulder blades twitched at the thought of thosenests.Sometimes the Leviathan did not drain their prey immediately, but like spiders took them back to their nests to feast on slowly. Declan feared his father had been one of those, because his body had never been found.

“No, but the Leviathan have realized the Aravae are here now and it’s not safe to come to Earth,” Finley protested.“So they’ll just stay in the Under Dark and leave us alone.”

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