Demon's Revenge (High Demon 5)

"We mate for a thousand years, and may renew after that if we desire. Or, we go looking for another mate. It is the way it is, and presently I am unmated." Kaldill showed all of them into his private study, where elves must have painted and decorated; the artwork and furniture was stunning.

"I wish I'd seen this before; it would take days just to examine everything in here," Norian sighed appreciatively.

"It has taken millennia to get it just the way I like it," Kaldill beamed at the compliment. "Please, sit down." Seats were set before the desk for all of them while Kaldill sat in the chair behind the wide desk.

"I know I said midwinter, but I am moving things up a little," Kaldill said, getting right to business. "My Prince-Heir will be named tonight, and the Alim'deru will be performed immediately after. There will be no struggle, one against the other. Do I make myself clear?" Faldill glanced at Lendill, who gave the slightest of nods to his brother. Lendill wouldn't return after tonight.

"Now," Kaldill continued, "I have watched all of you over the course of your lifetimes. I have to be sure that the one I select is prepared to lead. Truly. One who knows how to bring out the best in his people, even when it is painful to do so. One who can see the future unfolding and place his people so that the best possible outcome will be achieved." Lendill watched, his heart sinking as Naldill preened expectantly.

"Did you think I wouldn't notice," Kaldill went on, turning to Naldill, "when you removed Lendill's power at birth? You made sure you arrived at his mother's side before I could, and it was gone when I got there. But I knew. I could smell the signature of your power, Naldill. That is what the Alim'deru will do for my heir—provide that knowledge when needed." Naldill was now casting a stunned look at his father. Lendill, too, ga sdilwhasped aloud at his father's statement.

"And you, Reldill," Kaldill went on, "you were right behind Naldill, always. Supporting every twisted decision that he made. Did you think it sport to torture your youngest brother, who had no power against you?" Kaldill gave Reldill a hard stare. "Yet you think that Naldill will be generous enough to allow you to help in his rule. He will not. Naldill has room for only one in his heart, and that one is Naldill. Neither of you deserve to be King of Gaelar N'Seith. Now, to my other two sons," Kaldill turned to Faldill and Lendill.

"Father, I have not the strength to rule," Faldill hung his head.

"But you have the strength of honesty, my child. Keep it. It is very useful."

"Then who will be named Prince-Heir?" Naldill was standing and angry. "Faldill doesn't have the strength and Lendill is only half and has no power."

"Because you removed it, correct?" Kaldill gazed critically at his oldest son.

"Yes, I f**king removed it, but he would never have enough power to hold Gaelar N'Seith." Naldill was breathing hard in his anger.

"But he met Reah, child," Kaldill said, gesturing for Naldill to sit. There must have been power in the gesture; Naldill sat.

"What does a f**king High Demon have to do with anything?" Naldill snarled at his father.

"See, you do have insight, although it is truly rare," Kaldill smiled. "Fucking Reah is exactly what happened. She is High Demon. No magic or power wielder has any ability to get past that natural shield she possesses. And when, as you succinctly put it, Lendill f**ked her, that power removal spell you performed began to unravel. It is completely gone, now. Lendill has everything he was born with, and more. I name him my Prince-Heir. Lendill knows how to lead. Taking charge of Gaelar N'Seith will be nothing next to what he has done for the ASD through the years."

Lendill didn't know what to do. His mouth hung open until Norian sent mindspeech for him to close it. "Stand, Lendill Schaff, and the Alim'deru will be performed." Kaldill rose from his chair. Lendill struggled to his feet, still looking confused.

"No!" Naldill shouted, leveling a blast at Lendill. It melted away against an answering blast sent by Kaldill. "I am still King here," he thundered. "I will remove your power first, and then you will watch your brother take what might have been yours if you'd allowed your heart to rule instead of your greed and cruelty." Kaldill raised his arms and a flash of power blasted Naldill against the back wall of Kaldill's study, knocking several delicate paintings down and causing several glass sculptures to tinkle to the floor around Kaldill's firstborn.

"I give you chance after chance, year after weary year, to step up and act as a king should act. You have failed to do so at every turn. You, my oldest, would torture your people just the same as you tortured Lendill. Therefore, you have no power, now. I suggest you learn to live without it. Make yourself useful to your brother and it might be restored one day. Now," Kaldill straightened his clothing, "Kneel, Lendill Schaff, and the Alim'deru will be passed to you."

"But he doesn't have any power," Reldill whined. "Father, you have f**ked up one time too many." Faldill drew in a breath at Reldill's insult against his father.

"You h s">& one ave permission to teach your older brother a lesson," Kaldill said gently to Lendill. Lendill looked down at his fists—they'd clenched tightly the moment Reldill had leveled his insult. Opening his hands, Lendill held only one out. Light blasted from it, knocking Reldill against the wall next to Naldill, who was still slumped there, unconscious.

"Now, you see what your youngest brother can do, only one-handed?" Kaldill said with satisfaction. "Kneel, Lendill, and I will pass power to you." Lendill knelt, and with words in an ancient language Norian didn't understand and light glowing around Kaldill and Lendill, Lendill was made Prince-Heir of the Elves.

"I will keep watch over Gaelar N'Seith until the time comes when you weary of serving the Alliance," Kaldill slapped Lendill gently on the back later, after a thousand-year wine was served. Naldill had been carried out earlier by waiting elves and Reldill was revived and escorted away, leaving only Kaldill, Lendill, Norian and Faldill, who seemed too stunned to speak. Lendill, numb and feeling crowded with power he'd never held before, worked up the courage to embrace his father before folding away with Norian.

"So, Prince-Heir of the Elves, eh?" Norian slapped Lendill on the back much harder than Kaldill had when they landed inside Norian's study. "Still feel like a drink, old friend?"

"Yes. Definitely a drink," Lendill said. "Yes."