The image in the world-window began to grow blurry and coarse, with wisps of shadow closing in around the edges. Galaeron focused his attention in the center of the panicking army, where a small knot of figures stood looking up toward the dragons in relative calm. The world-window struggled to obey his will, but whatever was interfering with it was too powerful. He glimpsed a pair of women with familiar faces and long silver tresses, a frightened Gold elf, and a black-bearded, blue-eyed Uthgardt barbarian. Then the image became an unrecognizable blur and the shadows rolled in, and there was nothing but darkness.
A cold and familiar stillness settled over Galaeron. He turned and found the platinum eyes of Telamont Tanthul shining out at him from beneath his shadowy cowl.
"That's the relief army from Waterdeep!" Galaeron said. "What are you trying to hide?"
Telamont's sleeve rose, and Galaeron sensed a wispy finger wagging in front of his nose. "You mustn't allow your shadow self to draw your conclusions for you, elf."
Telamont waited, and as usual Galaeron felt the weight of the question without hearing it. "I apologize, Most High. When the world-window closed, I naturally assumed you had taken control." "Because I wished to hide something from you." Galaeron nodded.
Galaeron's skin prickled beneath Telamont's sigh. "Not everything is my doing, elf. The fear of the Chosen's army is to blame. The fools are sending thoughts to their loved ones, and the magic they use to carry them is interfering with that of the world-window. The image will clear in a few minutes."
And show us what, Galaeron wondered. He felt the weight of another question but could not quite sense what the Most High wished to know.
"Your attention is elsewhere today, Galaeron," Telamont said. "It is dangerous to let it wander. Your shadow will take advantage."
Galaeron nodded. "We have been watching them prepare for the crossing for some time now," he said. "I was wondering why you have still failed to send aid."
"You were wondering what I hope to gain by failing to send aid," Telamont corrected. "You must know your own thoughts, Galaeron, or you will never live at peace with your shadow."
Galaeron nodded. "Very well-what do you hope to gain by not sending help?"
Telamont's eyes brightened with approval. "Better, elf. The answer is nothing. I sent help."
Galaeron glanced at the world-window. The picture remained a black fog, but he knew better than to insult the Most High by questioning the veracity of his words.
"The relief army's losses will be small. They may even reach Evereska someday-though I can't see what good they can do there. It's you we must be concerned about, Galaeron. I do not like this preoccupation I sense. It's dangerous." Telamont lifted a sleeve to wave Galaeron toward his private sitting room, and together they went into the gloom. "What is it that troubles you?" Galaeron was so astonished to hear the question asked aloud that the answer began to spill out before he was conscious of formulating it.
"You know that Escanor has asked Vala to accompany him on the assault against the Myth Drannor phaerimm."
"She is a fine warrior, and her darksword has power," Telamont said. "It is a good choice." "I want you to keep her here."
"Vala is not the kind to hide from death," Telamont said. "Even were such a thing possible, she would think less of herself for it."
"That's not what I'm worried about," Galaeron said. "She can take care of herself, even in a cave full of phaerimm, but I need her here." "Ah, the promise."
They reached an archway and passed through into a small corner chamber with windows of thin-sliced obsidian on two walls. Beyond the windows, the customary murk that swaddled the enclave appeared to be almost nonexistent, allowing a spectacular-if rather darkened-view of Anauroch's sands rolling past below.
Telamont motioned Galaeron to a chair next to one of the windows and took the one opposite, then said, "The promise she made was to kill you if your shadow self takes over."
Galaeron nodded. "I need to know she's there to keep it." "No, you don't."
Hadrhune appeared unbidden at the Most High's side, again running his thumbnail along the deep groove in his staff. Telamont ordered wine for himself and Galaeron, and the seneschal dug into the groove so deeply that the tip of his thumb paled to light gray.
Telamont continued, "Vala will never need to keep that promise, not while you are in my company."
Galaeron inclined his head. "You are capable of many things, Most High, but even you cannot solve my shadow crisis for me, as you have said-"
"Many times myself." Telamont raised a sleeve to silence him, and Galaeron saw the translucent form of a withered claw silhouetted in gray against the faint light of the obsidian windows. "But if you are going to lie, lie to me, not yourself." Galaeron frowned. "What are you saying?"
"You know what I am saying," Telamont said. "At least your shadow does." "That I don't want Vala to go because I'm jealous?" Telamont remained silent.
Galaeron rose and strode across the room, nearly bumping into a small writing table before he noticed it floating in the murk. "Elves don't get jealous."
"Nor do they fall asleep," Telamont replied, "or dream like humans."
Galaeron swallowed his rising anger, then turned to face the Most High. "What if I am jealous? I still want you to keep her here."
Telamont looked out over the passing desert. "And who wants this?"
Galaeron considered a moment and realized he was thinking only of his own needs and not Vala's. She would feel diminished to think that he didn't trust her-and he still didn't want her to go. "Does it matter?" Galaeron asked.
Telamont's cowled head bobbed in approval. "You are beginning to understand, but I will not interfere with Escanor's mission." He turned away from the window and fixed Galaeron with his platinum glare. "Forget this woman. Your shadow will use your love against you, and such emotional attachments can only interfere with your studies."
Galaeron's head was swirling. He had, of course, been aware of his growing attraction to Vala but had never called it love, even in his mind. Elves had to know each other for years-sometimes decades-before they felt anything close to what humans described as love, and he had only known Vala for a few months. To say that he loved her… well, most elves didn't sleep or dream, either. Galaeron felt the weight of a question and looked up to find Telamont's gaze still fixed on him.
"Studies?" he asked, hoping to cover what was really going through his mind.
Telamont's eyes twinkled. "Your magic studies," he said. "You are quite a gifted innatoth. Once you are at peace with your shadow, I will begin to teach you in earnest."
"Truly?" Even to Galaeron, the response sounded less than enthusiastic, but he kept seeing Vala in Escanor's arms, and that was an image he never wanted to feel comfortable with. "This comes as something of a surprise. Melegaunt warned me to stop using magic altogether."
"Melegaunt was ever the cautious one," Telamont returned. "A fine attribute for spies… but limiting."
Hadrhune emerged from the gloom with the wine. He served Telamont first, then crossed the room to offer Galaeron a glass of some vinegary black swill that would not have been used to pickle thracks in Evereska. Galaeron raised his hand to decline and bowed to Telamont.
"You have given me much to think about," he said. "If I may, I should return to Villa Dusari to meditate."
Telamont's eyes dimmed, but he raised a sleeve and dismissed Galaeron with a wave. "If you think that best. Perhaps Hadrhune will join me in your place."
"I would be honored, Most High." Hadrhune glared fire at Galaeron, then spun toward the window so fast that the goblet flew off the tray and spilled. "What a pity-I'll have to fetch another."