Pug nodded. “Mocking eyes.”
Calin raised an eyebrow in question. Pug explained, “Many people here find Martin difficult to be with. Different, somehow. I once heard a soldier say he had mocking eyes.”
Calin sighed. “Life has been difficult for Martin. He was left on his own at an early age. The Monks of Silban are good, kindly men, but ill equipped to raise a boy. Martin lived in the woods like a wild thing when he could flee his tutors. I found him one day, fighting with two of our children—we are not very much different from men when very young. Over the years he has grown to be one of the few humans who is free to come to Elvandar at will. He is a valued friend. But I think he bears a special burden of loneliness, not being fully in the world of elves nor of men, but partially in both.”
Pug saw Martin in a new light and resolved to attempt to know the Huntmaster better. Returning to the original topic, he said, “Is what he said true?”
Calin nodded “In some respects. We can speak to animals only as men do, in tones to make them easy, though we are better at it than most humans, for we read the moods of wild things more readily. Martin has some of this knack. We do not, however, speak with spirits. There are creatures we know whom humans consider spirits—dryads, sprites, pixies—but they are natural beings who live near our magic.”
Pug’s interest was piqued. “Your magic?”
“Ours is a magic that is part of our being, strongest in Elvandar. It is a heritage ages old, allowing us to live at peace within our forests. There we work as others do, hunting, tending our gardens, celebrating our joys, teaching our young. Time passes slowly in Elvandar, for it is an ageless place. That is why I can remember speaking with Dorcas, for in spite of my youthful appearance, I am over a hundred years old.”
“A hundred.” Pug shook his head. “Poor Tomas, he was distressed to hear you were the Queen’s son. Now he will be desolate.”
Calin inclined his head, a half-smile playing across his face “The lad who was with us in the council hall?”
Pug nodded. Calin said, “It is not the first time my Mother-Queen has had such an effect upon a human, though older men can mask the effect with more ease.”
“You don’t mind?” asked Pug, feeling protective toward his friend.
“No, Pug, of course not. All in Elvandar love the Queen, and it is acknowledged her beauty is unsurpassed. I find it not surprising your friend is smitten. Since my Father-King passed, more than one bold noble of your race has come to press his suit for Aglaranna’s hand. Now her mourning is at an end, and she may take another should she wish. That it would be one of your race is unlikely, for while a few such marriages have been made, they are very rare, and tend to be sad things at the end for our kind. She will live many more human life spans, the gods willing.”
Calin looked around the room, then added, “It is likely our friend Tomas will outgrow his feelings for the great lady of the elves. Much as your Princess will change her feelings toward you, I would think.”
Pug felt embarrassed. He had been curious as to what Carline and the Elf Prince had spoken about during dinner, but had been uncomfortable asking. “I noticed you spoke with her at great length.”
“I had expected to meet a hero of seven feet in height, with lightning dancing around his shoulders. It seems you slew a score of trolls with a cast of your hand.”
Pug blushed. “It was only two, and mostly by accident.”
Calin’s eyebrows shot up. “Even two is an accomplishment. I had thought the girl guilty of a flight of fancy. I would like to hear the story.”
Pug told him what had happened. When he was done, Calin said, “It is an unusual tale, Pug. I know little of human magic, but I do know enough to think that what you did was as strange as Kulgan said. Elf magic is far different from human, but we understand ours better than you understand your own. Never have I heard of such an occurrence, but I can share this with you. Occasionally, at times of great need, an inner call can be made, bringing forth powers that lay dormant, deep within.”
Pug said, “I have thought as much, though it would be nice to understand a little better what happened.”
“That may come in time.”
Pug looked at his guest and sighed deeply. “I wish I could understand Carline, as well.”
Calin shrugged and smiled “Who can understand another’s mind? I think for some time to come you will be the object of her attention. Then, it may be, another will distract her, perhaps young Squire Roland. He seems held in thrall by her.”
Pug snorted. “Roland! That bother.”