“What is he more like. Inhuman, or not human.”

  “Thought you’d catch on,” said the stranger, arms spread across the back of the couch.

  “Inhuman?” said Naritsune, turning to the stranger. “You’re not a….”

  “He’s one of the folk spoken of in bedtime stories, Naritsune,” Feldaner said, standing up. “A Darkierami in all its monstrosity.”

  “Him?” said Naritsune, looking up at Feldaner. “He’s not well, Mr Lonshore.”

  “Darkyrie most days,” the stranger began. “Nyxirin on Moondays. Although you could use half an alphabet for the other terms.”

  “Darkyrie,” Naritsune repeated, looking at the fellow who had his hair in a decored high ponytail like his own. “Sounds familiar….”

  “Rhymes with Valkyrie if that helps,” said the stranger.

  “Although your allegiance would lie closer to the Furies,” said Feldaner.

  “My grandfather said the same name once or twice,” said Naritsune. “Would say it, and go ashen. Said that it was given to those from the star-vaulted kingdoms. Yet whose hearts burn with malevolent fires.”

  “Of the Star-lit Kindred,” Feldaner added. “But forsook the Light for its dread opposite and embraced all that came with it. Dark Elf.”

  “That’s the most used one,” the stranger said with a sigh. “Three names beginning with D.”

  “Dark Elf?” Naritsune repeated, glancing at the stranger, Feldaner, then back at the stranger. “The beautiful - yet deadly - folk from the Darkristen Kingdoms?”

  “Beautiful?” the stranger coughed. “That’s the lunar ladies and maidens. Only my mum and one or two of her friends have called me handsome.”

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “I don’t care what your mum’s friends said,” said Naritsune. “Why are you in this place that is dedicated to the Light?”

  “Seconded,” said Feldaner.

  “Thirded,” the stranger said before Naritsune had cleared the space between them and pulled him up so they were face to face.

  “You must know something,” Naritsune said, trying not to stare at the gentle light under the fellow’s skin. “Who did you beat to get here?”

  “I wish I was knocking the daylights out of someone right now,” the stranger replied. “Not you - back home.”

  “Then which Scourge of Light sent you into this midst?” said Feldaner, striding over.

  “Let go.”

  Naritsune stared. How had the - Elf - said that without his lips moving?

  “Withdraw.”

  “Stop-stop speaking in my head,” Naritsune snapped.

  “I heard it too,” said Feldaner.

  “And it wasn’t me,” said the Elf.

  “Quite right, it wasn’t him,” said a new voice.

  “Uh-oh…” Naritsune groaned, knowing that voice all too well. “It’s Her.”

  “Got that right,” the voice replied, coupled with footsteps. Naritsune let go and turned to face a woman with twinkling braids, sweeping skirts, and the non-nonsense gaze of a fencing instructor. “And it’s Lady Killyria to you.”

  “My-my Lady,” said Naritsune, letting go of the Elf and making a bow. “I thought you had other things to attend to once you’d brought us here.”

  “You’d have liked that, wouldn’t you,” Killyria said, as swathed in blue, violet and silver as Feldaner was in red and gold. “Out of the way while you pick on the other contestants.”

  “But he’s a–”

  “Do we have to go through the terms again?”

  “No, My Lady,” Naritsune said, bowing again. Terms? More like a spare afternoon’s book. “I apologise.”

  “I think you should direct it at the one you had by the lapels,” Killyria added.

  “Wha-” Naritsune began, then saw a faint smile sweep across the Elf’s face. “Not a good idea, Kyray,” Killyria added. “Smugness isn’t becoming of you.”

  “Quite right, Madame,” Kyray said with a bow as Feldaner coughed. “I apologise.”

  “Still waiting, Mr Tsukiyama,” Killyria continued.

  “… Please accept-” Naritsune began, eyes closed and head bowed, “my apology for how I acted before, Mr-”

  “Melendar, but Kyray’s fine,” the Elf said with a nod as Feldaner stared, took a step back and coughed again.

  “Might want to take some water, Feldaner,” said Killyria said. “We’re late enough as it is.”

  “I’ll be okay, My Lady,” Feldaner said, going to his seat to get the shepherd-like crook propped against a chair. “But what about the other young chap?”

  “Oh, the Watch will take care of him. Might get there before us.”

  “There?” asked Naritsune.

  “You’ll find out all the quicker if you start moving,” Killyria said, heading towards the door. “Destination calls.”

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