The Use

by D. L. Carter

  Eioth folded his arms and regarded the other Elf impassively.

  “Chandri, you have forgotten that as one of the High Lords of the Synod I already have a voice in the running of the Empire. I would regard taking the role of advisor to be a descent, not a promotion. As for the rest, do not trouble yourself about my family line, it is none of your concern.”

  “You should be counted as dead already, Eioth. Your line is ended and impacts upon the Empire less and less every day.”

  “I am not yet dead, Chandri, much to your disappointment. Nor am I without power and influence.”

  “That is your opinion,” Chandri rose to his feet, “and soon you shall learn how little that influence is. Do you count Senoia as a supporter?”

  “I do not require supporters. I am not the one seeking an increase in rank. Senoia manages her own concerns without my interference, a practice I recommend to you.”

  “Ah, but Senoia cast her support to me only today.”

  Eioth made a sound of disbelief even as Halidan and Mitash straightened, astonished by Chandri's claim. “What? You think I will believe that the possibility of being wed to one of your daughters was enough to bring Senoia and Federan to your side? I am not so gullible.”

  “No? It is little more than the truth.”

  “You cannot persuade me of it. Senoia would not so contaminate her bloodline with yours.”

  Chandri growled at the insult and it took him a few deep breaths to master himself enough to continue.

  “Hardly. I would not give any of my children to him. No, it is simpler than that. I informed her that I do not favor the legitimacy law. As High King I would need a good reason to permit it to stand. If she wishes her dear grandson to hold the rank she is so willing to bestow upon him, she should stay in my good opinion.”

  “Senoia is wise enough to know you don't have the power, High King or not,” said Eioth. “It takes the vote of a majority of all legal adults to overturn an existing law. Likewise, if you do not become High King, she has no reason to fear you.”

  “Ah, but Senoia is old and vulnerable. She is afraid that she will not live long enough for the legal battle and once she is gone who will speak for poor Federan? If she votes against me, so shall I vote against Federan and I have assured her that if I do not receive her support and all my work is for naught, then I shall turn my attention to removing her grandson from his position even if it takes me years.”

  “Senoia knows better than to fear you, Chandri.” Eioth folded his arms across his chest. “And Federan will know as soon as I can put pen to paper that I shall bend my authority and strength to his aid. You think to find supporters amongst the Low Court and mortals against the legitimacy law? How little you understand them. Go Chandri, push your plot to its conclusion. You are fated to be disappointed.”

  “We shall see.” Chandri's eyes gleamed and his smile was malicious. “A High King may choose his councilors and the members of the Synod. Set your thoughts to framing your apology, Eioth, and to choosing your place of exile; once I am High King, you will no longer be welcome in Synod Hall.”

  So saying, he turned and swept from the room.

  Halidan waited until the House manager confirmed that all of Chandri's servants had left the building, and Mitash confirmed that no magical debris was left in their wake before confronting Eioth.

  “Why did he come?” she demanded. “Was it just to threaten you? He could hardly have expected to win you to his side with those arguments.”

  “Oh, certainly not. He must have something else planned for me. I am more concerned for the others. Trevan and Senoia.”

  “They will not yield, High Lord,” said Mitash. “They know better. If they hold fast to their refusal, Chandri is powerless.”

  Eioth scowled at the floor for a moment, then shook his head. “Do not forget the power of common opinion. I assure you, Chandri has not. You can be certain that at this moment in every demesne a High Court Elf is receiving visits from Chandri's representatives. Each is hearing of fresh rumors that the girls are in their domains. He is intending to arouse in all of them the hope that it will be their family who will ascend to the throne. All are expected to rush out in the hope of locating them. Today in the Synod, he was unsuccessful. Tomorrow, I expect Chandri will call for a vote confirming the person who finds the girls as Heir to the Throne with Chandri as regent, and receive it. Because enough are expected to believe that they are only moments away from finding the girls, there will be pressure on the High Lords to vote in confirmation of the proposal. Hope, married to ambition, has that much power.”

  Jendi appeared at the door. Eioth nodded in her direction.

  “High Lord,” said Jendi, “there are several travelers from our demesne who are seeking audience with you.”

  “Who?” asked Halidan.

  Mitash left the room and returned within a few minutes, his expression one of wry humor. “Again, High Lord, you demonstrate your magical abilities. All you have just predicted has come to pass. Outside waiting, we have several minor lords and landowners of the North West. These travelers have heard the rumors about the possibility of a Royal Trial and have joined the search on their own behalf. They have come to ask that you vote tomorrow to validate the Royal Trial.”

  “Send them in together,” said Eioth. “We shall hear them out and send them on their way. Nothing we could say in argument will be heeded; so, I shall not waste my breath quarreling. Listening, however, takes no effort.”

  Eioth's prediction was no more than the truth. Halidan lost count of the number of petitioners paraded through the room each demanding that Eioth support the vote that converted the Epic Trial to a Royal Trial. Eioth politely nodded without commenting. When they were gone, Halidan sank onto a couch and massaged her tired legs.

  “Why were they so insistent?” asked Halidan. “Can none of them see the deception?”

  “Reality is not so important to them in this moment as their dreams, Halidan.”

  “What shall we do if they find the girls? Or if they don't?”

  “Peace, I have confidence no one will find Chandri's children until he is ready.”

  Halidan's head came up, astonished. “How can you be so calm? I cannot believe you do not have a good understanding of how bad a king Chandri will be? Why are you not with your friends exploring possibilities? Even if you disdain the use of magic yourself they can perform the spells at your direction. Why are you not combining your abilities to seek the children?”

  Eioth groaned and nodded to Mitash, who vanished from the room. “Halidan, give me credit for some wit, and give Chandri the same. He has had years to plot and prepare. Magical searches can be circumvented by more magic. He has friends and servants who have, in all probability, spent years preparing spells to confuse any who use the Elements to seek out the children.”

  “There must be some spell that can help find them?”

  “Magical scrying has serious limits. If you use the Element of Air to bring a person’s words to you, the odds are against them saying what you need to hear just at the moment the spell enfolds them. More likely you'll hear them muttering about the butcher's bill. If you seek to watch them in the Water, be prepared to be bored as you expend magic and strength watching them scratch themselves in their sleep. Fire, likewise, and is wearing on the eyes. Earth has no scrying spells.”

  “But . . . but, if Elemental magic will not work, why not Sex Magic? We know that will serve.”

  Eioth paused and met her eyes calmly. “Halidan, I have sworn to you and to myself, I shall never again use the magic that rests in your skin. Never. And I shall not be unfaithful to you and perform Sex Magic with another.”

  Halidan was first to turn away. “I have not asked for any oaths of faithfulness.”

  “It was implied when I made you my Lady. I admit you have reason not to trust me, since I have failed you in the past. I am trying to reform,” he reached for her hand. “More than anything else, I wish to earn your goo
d opinion.”

  Halidan shook him off. “There are more important things to consider than my hurt feelings over magic. I do not understand why you do not put more effort into defeating Chandri's ambitions. If nothing is done, soon he will be High King instead of you.”

  “It matters little.”

  “Don't say that!” cried Halidan. “Don't you dare say that to me. If to no one else, be honest with me. You want to be the High King. Say it. Admit it. Chandri is clumsy and all the others who hope to be elevated are wasting their time. No one is going to rise to the throne until it is you. That's why you searched for the crown. Why you used me!”

  At first, all Eioth did was stare and then, he sighed and nodded. “Yes. I would be foolish not to know my own skills, my own knowledge. I would be a good king since I know my limits equally well. One thing I must be grateful for, you brought me to an understanding of my faults and I will be a better man for it, but . . .”

  “No, no buts! You know where the crown is, why don't you take it up!”

  “Because as things stand, I would not succeed.”

  “You could make it work. I know you could, if you'd only try. You could be the best king the Empire ever had. Even now they listen when you speak. They seek your advice. The subject of the High King is on their mind every moment and they do not really want Chandri to rise to the position. Go to the Synod. Speak to them. You could persuade them.”

  With that she burst into tears. In two strides, Eioth crossed the room and took her in his arms. Rocking her back and forth he stroked her hair.

  “Trust me. Trust me, Halidan. All will be well.”

  “No. No. I cannot believe that a king who gains his place by such a deception will rule well. I need you to try.”

  “Halidan, I do not understand; why does this distress you?”

  She buried her face in his shoulder and would not speak, brushing the tears away with the back of her hand. “I do not know. This is not me. I am not usually given to tears. Now, twice in two days.”

  “Are you so ambitious, Halidan? So determined that your child should inherit the throne?”

  Halidan shivered a little and stiffened her back. “My child. I had not thought . . . no, you cannot think that is my only reason.”

  Eioth smiled. “I do not. I said that in jest only. Halidan, I wish it were in my power to comfort you, but again I remind you, the issue with children is more important than the throne. We have far too few magic users.”

  They both froze when a soft knock came at the door. Before Eioth could speak, Halidan crossed the room and opened the door intending to leave when whoever was outside entered. Jendi and Mitash were both outside waiting.

  “As if we have not had enough trouble today,” said Mitash apologetically, “We are now honored with a visit from Justovan.”

  Eioth's face darkened and he took one step toward the door. “Tell him . . .” he began and halted when Halidan raised her hand.

  “I know why he is here. He visited a day ago. I did not tell you since his name seemed to distress you. Tribel was giving him money at your father's command. The payments stopped when Tribel was taken to the Sanctuary. Justovan came to see me demanding the resumption of the payments. I asked him to bring the proof that it was deserved.”

  “By all means, fetch him in. I shall explain to him myself that he shall receive nothing more.”

  Jendi cast a glance toward Halidan for confirmation before bowing herself out of the room, a gesture that appeared to please Eioth.

  “You see, Halidan. Already the servants turn to you for guidance.”

  Halidan laughed. “It would help if I knew what guidance I was supposed to give.”

  “I trust your instincts,” was all Eioth had time to say before Justovan was shown into the room.

  He arrived, a bottle of wine held in both hands as if to serve as a shield.

  Indeed, he seemed to think it had power to protect him as he thrust it into Eioth's hands and ducked back out of range before the High Lord could react.

  “Minthel wine, your favorite, or so I hear,” said Justovan, glancing frantically around the room until he spotted glasses that had been brought in when Chandri had been offered the traditional refreshments. Justovan snatched up two glasses, took the bottle back out of Eioth's hands and busied himself pouring out the wine. “I am pleased to see you in good health, cousin.”

  “I believe I have spoken to you about that mode of address,” said Eioth coldly.

  Justovan appeared quite unaffected by the chill in the air. Instead, he faced Eioth with a glass of wine in each hand.

  “Come now, it is not fitting for family to hold onto old grievances. Your esteemed father has passed from life, and in truth, I and my children are the only family you have. Difficult though it must be for you to contemplate, we are your heirs.” Glaring silence was his only answer. Undeterred, Justovan continued. “It occurred to me only today that you have never met my children, never had the opportunity to assess their skills. I think you will be impressed with them.”

  Smiling brightly, he offered Eioth one of the wine glasses. Eioth ignored it.

  “My Lady Halidan informs me that you were to bring proofs of your claim upon my father's estate.”

  “Oh, that,” Justovan waved his hand vaguely, splattering wine across his hand. With a curse he put down the glass, shoved the second glass into Eioth's unwilling hand and hastily wiped the spillage off his pale sleeve, tisking at the stain. “The mortal obviously did not understand my explanation. We can settle the matter between us later. For now, my own Lady and wife has expressed her regret that she has never been offered the opportunity to be introduced to you. Shall we be honored by your joining us for dinner one day this week?”

  Eioth glanced toward Mitash. “I cannot understand it. Are my words confused? Am I not being adequately discouraging? This person does not seem to understand that I wish nothing to do with him or his family.”

  “Your words are clear to me.” Mitash assured him. “Perhaps his mind is broken?”

  “I am speaking no more than the honest truth.” Justovan sighed and he reached out and seized Eioth's wrist. “Eioth, the words are hard, but it cannot be denied. I have children, you do not. None of your other distant relatives can make the same claim. Please, do not let the North West, our family name, and responsibilities pass to lesser families.”

  Eioth's face went stone hard. “That is not my intention.”

  Justovan grinned, misunderstanding. “Well, then, I am pleased to know that. Now, as your nearest relative, I think you should consider my advice. The vote tomorrow . . .”

  “This will not do.” Eioth brushed Justovan's hand away. “I will say to you what I could not say to those others who came today to offer their opinion on how I should vote. I am the High Lord of the North West, no one else. I was not voted into position. I was granted this authority because I have the power, the ability to do what is required. I have the strength, the bond to the Elements and the magic. The education, and dare I say it, the wisdom. Those are the reasons I serve. Not simply because of who my father was, but because of the magic I can do.” Turning Eioth reached toward the summoning crystal, halting just a finger's width from the stone. Clenching his fist, Eioth advanced on Justovan, his voice hard. “I will be the one who decides how I will vote. If you do not agree with me, then challenge me. Ask the Synod to test us both on our knowledge, skills, and magic. Should you be revealed as the greater, then you may, depending on the mood of the Synod, be granted my position. Until that moment, you have no voice in how I vote.”

  He was shouting by the time he finished. Justovan went icy pale and backed away.

  “I . . . I . . .”

  Before he could form a word Mitash acted. Taking Justovan by his collar he pulled the stunned and terrified Elf into motion. When Justovan might have objected to the rough treatment, Mitash smiled.

  “Consider that I am saving your unworthy life,” said Mitash.

  Justovan's
eyes swung back and forth between Mitash and Eioth, then his shoulders slumped and he consented to be led from the room.

  Halidan crossed the room to place her hand on Eioth's still clenched fist. Eioth wrapped his other arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.

  “Almost, almost I used magic,” he said, pressing his face close to hers. “A month's abstinence almost undone by that fool. This is harder than I supposed.”

  “But, you did not.” Halidan kissed his jaw that being the only part she could reach while he held her so close. “Come, the hour weighs on your temper. It is late. You should rest . . .”

  A cough behind them had them moving reluctantly apart.

  “High Lord,” said Mitash, and Halidan noted there was an unusually eager expression on his face as he glanced back and forth between Halidan and the High Lord. “The Healer Lenneth has arrived in response to tor Halidan's summons.”

  “So soon?” asked Halidan. “He must have flown to be here so soon!”

  “I sent the messenger out in the middle of the night,” Eioth told her. “With orders to travel as fast as he could. Tomorrow, when Lenneth has rested, bring him to me.”

  Mitash shook his head. “From his manner, High Lord, I believe he is willing to forgo rest in order to respond to Halidan's message.”

  Halidan sighed and glanced out of the window at the midnight dark sky. Eioth gave her an encouraging smile.

  “Very well, then, bring him here. It shall not take too long; then we shall retire. Tell Jendi we shall need refreshments and then privacy. Mitash, you may return with Lenneth. I am certain this is a discussion you will wish to be a part of.”

  It did not take Mitash long to return. Healer Lenneth was much as Halidan remembered, energetic, eager, and powerful. She bowed formally to him and presented him to Eioth. After refreshments were offered and accepted, an embarrassed silence settled on the room. Lenneth, probably more practiced at discussing uncomfortable subjects, was the first to break it.