Part 24
“We’re like the very first elves, who were the most recent race to develop before us. We’re strange compared to those around us now, but when there’s a few thousand of us nobody will think twice about it.
“On the other hand, all the humanoid races can interbreed now. Over the long term, that’s sure to produce some averaging among the races, but it’s also sure to produce completely new kinds of people. And if the warlock characteristics are passed on without being diminished by being diluted by other bloodlines, as we think will be the case, then eventually every humanoid born will also be a warlock, regardless of any other racial characteristics they may have.”
They moved on to Mark’s speech at a military training center in Beijur, Kletiuk, which was attended by Overlord Senchak and most of the elite of Kletiuk’s dwarven society, as well as a vast throng of staff and trainees from the base.
His speech was similar to the one he gave in Debivin, yet different enough to show that he was speaking from the heart, without rehearsal or preparation.
As he was half finished, his children got bored of the proceedings and elected to go home to Hilia. Talia suggested that they go instead with her to the Living Palace in First Valley, and they agreed. Alilia elected to continue with Mark on his tour.
“Welcome to the place where my heart is most at home.” Talia said with a smile as she, her children, and Karz emerged in the living room of the palace’s master suite. “Though we only lived here a few days, the love I share with Mark truly blossomed and became part of us while we were here. And I’ve known since I could talk that I would have a home on this land when I was grown, though I could never have predicted this place! That’s my parents' tree there, where I grew up.” she told them as she pointed out a mighty oak that was visible through the windowed double doors to the balcony.
“I love the aura of it.” Val said as she took a deep breath. “And the wizard’s magic here feels really good too. The elven part of me can sure feel why we fought so hard to hold this land.”
“I do get a feeling that this is home, in a way.” Fire said as she opened the doors and went out on the balcony, and the rest joined her. They looked around at the beautiful gardens at the front of the palace, the redwood wall around it, the giant trees with elven homes visible above the wall, and the occasional view of the ring of mountain around the valley that was visible through the trees.
“Here.” Talia giggled, and passed them her memory of Alilia, Theramin, and her parents casting the mighty spell that had made the wonderful home around them.
“Wow. That’s really beautiful, both the making and what they made.” Six quietly stated.
do, to grow a home out of a tree.” Karz commented. “Yet so beautifully strange that
of
minutes, enjoying the view and absorbing
It’s going well, but I’m bored of it, and if gets finished sooner then we can get the wizards that’ve been teaching into the preparations for
if we all work on it. At
she gave her a one armed hug. “You’ve been working pretty hard on it, and besides, me and Six can probably add a few things to
the balcony and sat down to work, still enjoying the
living room just over an hour and
into Mark’s arms as he and Alilia
as he gently cuddled her, and she hugged him around his neck with desperate
considering.” she murmured. “I was able to keep it almost completely out of my mind until you returned. But
floated up and joined their hug. “It wasn’t that long ago when the curse would have tortured you horribly if you were that far
come a long way since we’ve been together.”
for a kiss, and
room right
Mark chuckled, and disappeared with his
work until Povon called Karz home another two hours
was back six hours later. They had a quick snack
the completed Trade Common version of ‘Valentia’s Magic Education - General Journeyman’