I headed upstairs to our rooms and saw Lintok outside the one I had slept in. “How are you doing? Have you had a chance to eat anything?”

“I am well, my lord. Just a few scratches. I have not eaten yet but Celerith is set to relieve me once he gets some food and then it will be my turn.”

I nodded toward the door behind him. “Great. I take it the mages are inside?”

“Yes, sir, except for Loberth. We put him with some other casualties out back. I hope that was alright. We gathered his personal belongings, though, and put them in a bag on a table.”

‘That’s fine. Have Padral and Stegen woken up yet?”

“No, sir. Not the last time I checked in on them.”

“Okay, I’ll just go in and see that they are well.” I attempted to open the door quietly but the hinges squeaked a little. I entered and saw that Padral’s eyes were open, though Stegen was still unconscious in the bed next to him. I moved to the night table between the beds and poured a mug of water from the pitcher someone had thoughtfully placed there. “Would you like some water?”

Padral nodded but when he tried to sit up, he couldn’t manage it. I set the mug back down on table and gently helped the mage into a sitting position. I retrieved it and held it for him. “How are you feeling?” I asked while he took small sips.

“I live, and that is something.” He took another sip of water. “Does Loberth? I sensed something before I blacked out.”

“No, he didn’t survive the casting.” I decided not to mention the details of his gruesome death.

“The spell must have worked, though. Otherwise we would be resting in pieces in some drant bellies.”

I nodded. “It worked very well, indeed. More drants fell asleep than anyone could believe possible. How did you do it? I’ve never seen you affect much more than a dozen before and this time it was over a hundred.”

Padral took one more sip before reaching up a shaking hand to push the mug away. “I cannot drink any more water.” I kept hold of the mug, suspecting he would want more soon. He looked over at Stegen, who seemed to be simply sleeping peacefully. “At least Stegen yet lives. That is something.”

“And most of the rest of our company, and the town. Everyone owes you a great debt, Padral. We were almost done for.”

He nodded slightly. “I just wish I knew more, then perhaps Loberth would still be alive, as well.” He motioned for the mug and I handed it to him. He had to use both hands but he managed to empty it without spilling any water, so I judged him to be recovering nicely.

“Padral, you mentioned a joining. I thought only the Elvish Warrior Mages of the Silver Circlet could do that?” I forget to tell him that I had only learned that today, from Captain Klote.

His eyes widened. “I am surprised you know that. You seem so ignorant of magic.” He was insulting me so I knew he was feeling better.

“You’d be surprised at what I know.” I said, grinning. “But I’ll admit I don’t know much.”

He held out the mug, still using both hands. “Could I have some more water?” I grabbed the pitcher and carefully poured him another half mug or so. “Thank you.” He took a sip. “I suppose it is time for another lesson on magic. I have already explained that magic requires three things: being mageborn, a strong will and a lot of knowledge, gained by years of instruction.”

“Yes. I remember that conversation. While we rode to New Fasin.”

“Exactly so. What the Warrior Mages of the Silver Circlet accomplished in Elvandra, over a hundred years ago, was to discover a way for three mages to join their wills together for the rest of their lives. Then they can use their joined wills to cast spells of tremendous power. Much stronger than if they just each cast the spell separately. To do so they cast a spell on each other that joins them together so closely that if one dies the other two die at the same instant. It also becomes a marriage of sorts so there must always be at least one male elf and one female elf in the trio, but the third can be either male or female.”

“And the three of them are married? Until they die? I didn’t know that part.”

He chuckled softly and then took another sip of water. “Do you think I could have some food brought up?”