Sandalon pulled one of the doors open—the door latch was of age-smoothed bronze, in the shape of a twist of vine-stock—and sketched a quick bow in Kellen's direction.
'Be welcome in this house and find comfort at our hearth,' Sandalon said. The words came out in a rush, as if the boy was repeating an only half-understood (as yet) lesson.
'Um… thanks. Thank you,' Kellen said. Sandalon seemed to be waiting for Kellen to go first, so Kellen stepped past him, into the house itself. He thought he heard Sandalon breathe a sigh of relief and follow him inside.
'Here's where we live—me and Mother. And Father, too, only he isn't here right now.'
The main entry hall extended the entire height of the house, and there was a skylight in the ceiling to let the daylight down into the hall. Directly below the skylight was a reflecting pool and fountain (empty now), its intricate mosaic of colored tiles depicting fish swimming in a river. At the back of the hall, two curving staircases mirrored one another, framing a doorway with sliding panels that echoed the entryway. On both sides, galleries opened onto the main hall, so that people in the rooms above could look down to see who had entered. The walls were hung with tapestries that would each have commanded a mage's ransom in Armethalieh. The colors glowed jewel-bright, and the weaving was finer than anything Kellen had ever seen.
Kellen would have liked to stay and gawk, but Sandalon was already halfway up one of the staircases, and Kellen had no choice but to follow.
He was starting to get a pretty good idea of what was going on—and who Sandalon was—so it wasn't much of a surprise when—after another quick tour of several rooms—they ended up about where Kellen expected.
'And this is my mother's dayroom,' Sandalon said, opening the door.
The first impression Kellen got was that they'd stepped outdoors again. The walls were made of glass— hundreds of tiny panes, all held together in a bronze latticework—and the room seemed to hang in space, surrounded by a lacework made of light and air.
The second was that Sandalon's mother was the most beautiful woman Kellen had ever seen.
Here was the beauty of the Elves as Kellen had read about it: as regal and distant as the Moon, as dangerous as fire. She was seated on a cushion, with a writing desk on her lap, wearing an elaborate gown of green and silver, embroidered with sinuous, twisting designs that seemed to catch and hold the eye, the edges of her trailing sleeves and the hem of her skirt ornamented with heavy silver lace as substantial as jewelry. Her black hair was braided with pearls and a bright green gem Kellen had never seen before, and she wore rings on every finger. She looked up when the door opened, and for a moment Kellen was caught in her gaze. It was like seeing Shalkan for the first time—just as transfixing; like being terrified without fear.
Then she set aside her writing desk and held out her arms to her son, and the moment passed.
'Here is my child—and here is half Sentarshadeen upon his clothes,' she added good-naturedly. Sandalon climbed into her arms and hugged her unselfconsciously. She paid no heed to the mud on him, and the havoc it was making of her gown.
'I see someone whom I have never seen before,' she observed.
Kellen made his lowest and most formal bow. If this wasn't the Queen of the Elves, he'd eat the hat Shalkan hated so much.
'I am Kellen Tavadon, brother to Wildmage Idalia,' he said, choosing his words carefully. 'I am told that you were all expecting us for some time, so I hope that my presence is not an intrusion.'
The lady inclined her head graciously, at one and the same time acknowledging the truth of his words and welcoming him.
'Please forgive me, but as I am a stranger here, I had no idea where this fine young fellow was leading me,' he said, with a faint smile at the boy, 'and no one has yet told me how to address you.'
'My name is Ashaniel, Kellen, and by right of Leaf and Star I am Queen over the Nine Cities. But the Elves have long memories, and do not require constant reminders of our rank and titles.' In a human's mouth, the words would have been a false disclaimer, like as not. In hers, it had the ring of truth. 'And now, the hour grows late, and I think, perhaps, you have not had the opportunity to truly settle into your home as yet. We would be honored if you would consent to share our evening meal with us.'
Kellen had been sure he was on his way to a polite dismissal, so the change of theme caught him by surprise.
He managed not to gape. He managed to bow. 'I— Yes. Thank you. I would like that very much, Lady… Ashaniel.'
'Good.'
She sounded pleased. She actually sounded pleased. She rose to her feet and set Sandalon on his. 'Now my son will wish to go and make himself presentable, and perhaps you will enjoy the opportunity to see something of
