Tears flooded her eyes unbidden. “I am sworn to say nothing,” she repeated. “I gave my word to Khyber. Otherwise I would.” She saw the hope that had momentarily glinted in her grandfather’s eyes disappear. “I can tell you this much,” she said hurriedly, not wanting to leave him with nothing. “What we seek is powerful and has the potential for doing much good. But it is an unknown quantity, and therefore very dangerous. Until we find it and examine it—possibly until we use it—we cannot know for certain the consequences of employing its power. What we do know is that if word of this reaches the wrong ears, it will likely encourage unwanted interest in our efforts.”

Her grandfather leaned close, as if anxious to make certain. “And are you convinced of this, Aphen?”

She nodded. “I am. Knowing what I do of the possible impact of this magic, I think the danger is very great.”

“Then perhaps this magic should be left where it is.”

It stopped her for a moment, the possibility that he was right. What if they simply left well enough alone? But they were committed to recovering all of the lost magic of Faerie, of gaining possession so that it could be protected from those who would abuse it. Yet this was Elven magic, and only Elves could use it. Wasn’t she admitting that the danger they were seeking to avoid lay entirely with her own people?

“I think we ignore the potential for destructive uses of any kind of power at our peril,” she said finally. “But especially here.”

“She is right, Emperowen,” Ellich broke in. “We have learned that lesson often enough in the past. Every time we thought that by stepping back or turning away things would work out on their own, they didn’t. They just got worse. That has been our history as Elves.”

The King gave his brother a look. “I sense a rebuke in those words, Ellich. As if, perhaps, you might be referring to something other than Aphen’s search for this lost magic. Something closer to home, perhaps?”

Ellich shook his head slowly. “No, brother. You don’t need me to rebuke you. You need me to support you. So that is what I do. That is what I will always do.”

The King turned back to Aphen. “What will you do with this magic if you find it?”

“Keep it safe,” she answered at once.

“With the Druids?”

She nodded.

“When it is an Elven magic you seek? When it belongs to us?”

“It was lost by Elves. By our ancestors. Or given up, Grandfather. That road was traveled long ago. Magic no longer belongs only to the Elves; it belongs to everyone. It isn’t meant for only one people. It must be used for the good of the people of all the Races.”

“But only Elves can use Elven magic.”