The Ways of Mages: Starfire by Catherine Beery

nothing of it. And you ,” He said turning to Razyan .“ ,when I came in here and called you wizards, you asked my reasons. If what I had responded with had been something you could use, you would have found a logical way to explain your presence. You did, too, bringing up Plar n’ s isolation in your argument .” Liam nodded .“ Very good, I must admit . ” 
    “ Wel l … ” Said Razyan with a wry smile .“I’ ve been out done . ”
    “ No ,” Liam denied .“ just caught up too . ”
    Razyan stood .“ Thank you for soothing my pride, but give credit where it is due. You have an observant eye .” Liam nodded his head in thanks. Razyan extended his hand .“ My name is Razyan Seithan and my companion you have already met, Kadrean Né aina . ”
    “ My name is Liam .” Said he, smiling cheerfully .“ Of course, you already knew that .” He shook Razya n’ s proffered hand .“ So Raz Yaniel, what is your interest in Terana ? ”
    “ What did you call me ?” Razyan asked, shocked.
    “ Raz Yaniel .” Liam repeated.
    “ Why? Do you know what it means ?” Razyan asked watching the other man closely. 
    Liam laughed. Razyan, Kadrean, and Zeeve all felt slightly discomfited.  Liam switched from being incredibly observant to knowing things that he could n’ t possibly know, like the dead language of Old Arathin, to vague in a matter of seconds.  “ Do I know what it means? How can I? I am a mere headma n’ s son, not some scholar like you . ”
    “ Then how did you know the words ?” Razyan pushed.
    Liam shrugged .“ I just knew the root words of your name, but that does n’ t mean I know what it means. I do n’ t even know what Plarn means. I know it is of the Old Tongue, like your name, Kada Reando l’ s, and Terelle Ana f é ’ s , but I know nothing other than that. And since we are back to Terana, what is your interest in her ? ”
    “ Zeeve here thought that she might have magic .” Kadrean explained .“ So does she ?” He asked, turning his attention to the molici.
    Zeeve nodded .“ I still think she does, but I do n’ t know for sure . ”
    “ Why not ?” Razyan asked with a slight edge in his voice .“ I gave you a kadelle and told you how to use it. Why did n’ t you ? ”
    “ You have Jeremy to thank again. He picked me up and began scolding me for first, being out in the square and then for coming back. He confuses me and I think he hates me .” He added .” Anyway, I saw Terana come in and before I could get to her, she left with her doeskin bag. She did n’ t look happy .” He added as an afterthought.  
    “ The woods .” Liam remarked from his position sitting on the desk chair. He was messaging his crippled leg.
    Kadrean saw his action and could bear it no longer .“ Here, let me look at that .” He said approaching Liam. Kneeling before him, Kadrean pushed up Lia m’ s pant leg. Liam hissed at the sharp pain that caused .“ Go on talking, it will distract you from any possible pain .” Kadrean murmured.
    Raising an eyebrow, Liam continued .“ Tha t’ s where she would go. The only place she can go. Do n’ t worry. She comes back. Give her a few hours .” Liam smiled, his eyes looking inward.  “ Did you know, she spends so much time in that wood it seems like she visits the town instead of it being the other way around? Ah, but she uses that time. The forest creatures accept her now as another of them. The Plarenese wolves have . ”
    “ Wolves ?” Kadrean looked up, stunned .“ Do n’ t town s’ people fear them ? ”
    “ Not her .” Said Zeeve .“ There is a young wolf that follows her around everywhere out there . ”
    “ The rust furred one, right ?” Liam asked. His hand rose to message away a slight pressure on the nape of his neck.
    Zeeve nodded .“ Russy . ”
    Liam grinned .“I’ ve seen those two together. Russy is almost like a tame dog around Terana . ”
    “ All done .” Kadrean interrupted standing.
    “ What ?” Liam