She nodded. ‘To the southeast, to somewhere near the Peaks of the Quor I think.’
‘Well, someone has just had a rude awakening if they’ve survived that,’ said Pug. To Magnus he said, ‘I want you to pass the word; we’re now on a war footing. Send the younger students away, either back to their home worlds or to Stardock. Send messages to everyone to return here as quickly as possible. I want every master magician in council in the next few days.’
Gulamendis moved over to stand next to Amirantha. ‘These human magicians are . . . impressive.’
‘You would do well not to underestimate them,’ suggested the Warlock.
‘I don’t take your meaning,’ said Gulamendis.
Amirantha gifted the taredhel Demon Master with a slight smile. ‘I think you do.’
The elf lowered his voice and said, ‘I will not, but others of my kind . . . even the harsh lesson of the Demon Legion is lost on them. Arrogance is a relative term among my race.’
Amirantha saw Pug, Tomas, Miranda, and Magnus were in a deep conversation, while Father-Bishop Creegan was speaking intently with Sandreena, and Jommy seemed more intent on watching the pair of them than the two demon experts. The Warlock gently took Gulamendis by the elbow and led him a few feet away. In a low voice he said, ‘Let me speak candidly, my new friend. You and I understand what is coming, that few people can imagine the nightmare approaching this world. And we’ve only had glimpses into that realm from which those nightmares come.
‘Perhaps those you left behind have faced them, but until the Demon Legion arrives, we have much work to do.’
‘What are you proposing?’ asked Gulamendis.
‘From chaos comes opportunity,’ said the Warlock. ‘You and I will never fully be accepted by our people, but here—’ he waved his hand in a small circle ‘—this place is unique. I know you haven’t had the time to socialize, but there are creatures from other worlds here, intelligent beings who are studying with Pug and his magicians.’ He looked back at the sorcerer, who he saw was now watching him speak with the elf. ‘These people have something here unique, and we could share in it.’
The elf said, ‘I sense what you mean.’ He also looked back to see Pug watching over his wife’s shoulder as she spoke to their son and Tomas. He nodded once, then said, ‘In a very short time I have come to understand that my view of things, radical and even treasonous to my people’s thinking, is perhaps not radical enough.’
‘Think of it, people who wish only to seek knowledge. Isn’t that why you began poking around in dark caves when you were a child?’
Gulamendis broke into a laugh, which caused others to turn and look. He held up a hand. ‘It is just an unseemly jest,’ he said to the others. Then to Amirantha, he said, ‘Yes, that is exactly why I began turning over rocks, it was just to see what was under them. Pushing sticks into hollow trees to see what was inside. Never-ending curiosity that took me places no one else even imagined. You as well?’
Amirantha nodded. ‘Over a century ago. One day, I will tell you about my mother, who was a mad witch, and of my brothers, two evil bastards if ever there were, but for the first time in my life I sense that here our kind may be welcomed, and I think we’d be fools to not take advantage. Think of being able to study without fear, and of having others nearby to support your work, to aid you if needs be. The knowledge we could discover . . .’
Gulamendis inclined his head as if thinking for a moment, then said, ‘Perhaps, if time permits, I’ll find my brother alive and bring him here as well. He would also enjoy this atmosphere.’
‘Good,’ said Amirantha. ‘I know trust is hard earned, especially to those like us, but I vow, on my blood, that if you serve to forestall the Demon Legion, I will serve along with you, and should we prevail, I’ll call you brother.’
The elf studied the human before him, seeing a steely resolve in his features. He said, ‘Why do I get the feeling that you’ve found yourself in an unusual position?’
‘Because trust comes hard to me, and I’ve spent my life watching people I have come to care for die. I find it easier to be aloof and to keep to myself; when I spend time with people, it is usually to rid them of their gold.’
‘A frank admission.’
‘I am not a prideful man, Gulamendis. I have vanity, but that is not the same. I have done little in my life for which I feel a sense of achievement.’ He nodded towards Sandreena. ‘That young woman was someone who came to feel something for me, and I repaid her affection with callous abandonment.’