Page 55 of Ryld's Shadows
Chapter Twelve
These aelfe mages did not understand what they asked. Ryld wondered if Yarrow heard him at all. For someone who seemed to speak almost telepathically with his brother, Ryld might as well have been speaking to a stone for all Yarrow listened.
“Even if I could do what you asked, I would not,” Ryld said at last.
Yarrow stared at him. “Are you saying you won’t try?”
“Yes. I will not try to do what you are asking. It is too dangerous.”
“I understand your fear.” Yarrow smiled. “It is all right, little drow. You have never faced your dark magic, but even when you lose control of it, does it not leave you untouched?”
Ryld felt the shadows around him stir and he was almost tempted to let them grow and give the patronizing aelfe what he wished. “I don’t fear for myself, Yarrow. I fear for you and your brother.”
Yarrow chuckled. “I’m not without my own power, Ryld. I wouldn’t let any harm come to myself or Yew.”
Ryld’s lip twitched, and he controlled the impulse to bare his teeth at the elf. “You can contain them, perhaps. But you aren’t drow. Your magic will not work on the shadows.”
“Ryld, Ryld. You must trust me. Your darkness is no match for my light. Aren’t you tired of struggling? Instead of holding the beasts back, learn to control them at your will. But in order to control one, you must first consciously form and release one, rather than wait for your emotions to dictate when that happens.”
In theory that actually sounded sensible. Control was what he wanted. However, purposefully letting a rage and hate fueled beast capable of rending both men to pieces before help could arrive… Well, despite the whispers of his drow brethren, he wasn’t mad, and that was utter madness.
Ryld took a breath. “I will do as you ask, but I have a condition. Kai Hiltas must be present, and he must say it is okay for me to try.”
With an exasperated sigh, Yarrow threw up his hands. “If the drow mage could teach you, why would he have brought you to us?”
“I don’t know. I would like to go now.”
“Running from this will not help you, Ryld.”
“Neither will letting the shadows tear you apart.”
Yarrow forced a smile. “I see we will get no farther today. Go and speak to your mentor. Perhaps he can see sense.”
Ryld stood and left the room. He waited until after the door had closed behind him to shut his eyes and take a few deep breaths as Hank had taught him to do. Hank had taught him more than these two, he thought gloomily.
The shadows still flickered and skittered around him as he trudged up the stairs to the main floor. Hungry, he decided to find the kitchen. The place seemed to have people rushing about everywhere today. As he walked, he noticed the stares and the way the aelfe moved away as he neared. He was used to such behavior, but here the drow only lived a short ride from the residence. They saw them frequently, they must, so it was just him they didn’t want to get close to. That was fine, he didn’t want them close either.
From the corner of his eye, he saw a dark shape lash out from him toward an elf’s leg and the way he skittered back. Well, perhaps he couldn’t blame them entirely for wanting to keep their distance. He was more agitated than he wanted to admit. Hank and Kai would be back soon. Perhaps he should just wait until they returned to eat. He stood in indecision. Being hungry did not help calm him.
“Ryld?” He turned with a feeling of relief to see Hank and Kai coming up the stairs from the stable courtyard. “You all right, hon? You’re, um, leaking a little around the edges.”
“I am unhurt. But hungry. Perhaps the shadows are hungry too, though I’ve never seen them eat.”
“Mother Goddess forbid,” Kai muttered. “You two go on up to your suite. I will hunt down an appropriate staff member and have dinner sent up for all of us. It’s been…a day.”
Ryld paused and nodded. “It has been a day. Yes. Yarrow asks for things he would regret.”
The barest hint of a grin tugged at Kai’s mouth. “Does he now? Perhaps he should be given the opportunity to regret.” Then he waved one hand over the other in negation. “No, no, little brother. Forget I said that. I am over-tired. We’ll discuss the foolish things Yarrow has said when I join you upstairs.”
Ryld nodded again. “You understand more than he ever will.” He turned and laid a hand gently on Hank’s arm as they started up the stairs. “Have you had ‘a day’ as well, Hank?”
“Ha, well, I shared Kai’s day, so I’d say yes. It’s been interesting and not all in a good way.” Hank leaned in to kiss the top of Ryld’s head. The shadows made way for him and did not slash toward him.
Strange. They had never been protective before Hank. Perhaps they did know something of his wishes then. Everyone else seemed to believe this had to be true. Still, they could not be trusted, and as much as he and Kai were both tempted to prove that point to Yarrow, they also both knew it was wrong.
“Tell me about your ‘day’. What was interesting, and what was not good?”
Hank’s voice went quiet with an odd hard edge. “Not out here. Too many ears.”
