Angel of Storms (Millennium's Rule, #2)(143)

“When he no longer needs to conform to a short-term expectation he returns to his better-known appearance. Yet that, too, would evolve if he didn’t have a way to remind himself of what it is.”

“So how does he do… ah! You said he visits the statue. It’s not vanity, he’s reminding himself of how he should look.”

“More or less. Obviously, he isn’t made of stone.”

“And he has you and his other ageless friends who remember how he should look.”

Dahli winced. “To a point. We, too, have likes and dislikes that influence him.”

A shiver ran down her spine. “Have I influenced how he looks?”

“A little.” Dahli sighed.

“How?”

He shook his head. “You still think of him as… what did you call it?”

Her chest tightened. “An Angel.”

She sighed. So the Angelic qualities she still saw in Valhan were of her own making. That disappointed her more than it ought to, perhaps because it meant the portrait in Lord Felomar’s collection might be more accurate. If those cold eyes were closer to the true Valhan, she ought to be afraid of him. But then, it could have been the influence of the artist.

Not that an artist doesn’t already have an influence. The accuracy of a portrait relied on their skill. Not only could their feelings be expressed in a painting, but they aimed to capture the sitter’s personality. Which raised an interesting question.

“Can other people’s likes and dislikes change an ageless sorcerer’s temperament, as well?”

Dahli’s eyebrows rose. “A little, but not so easily as their appearance, and perhaps no more than being with another person does anyway.” He shrugged. “I would not worry too much about it. I recommend you leave portraits of yourself in many worlds, so that you can return to the appearance you most identify with, however.”

Rielle nodded. So being ageless wasn’t without some drawbacks, she mused. Compared to growing old and dying, it was a minor problem. But minor problems could become major ones. Until she had time to think about the possible consequences she would not dismiss this one entirely.

I thought I would only need to preserve how I am now, not resist the influence of others. If I don’t, how much alteration would it take before I am no longer me?

How much before she was no longer human?

And if not human, what would I be?

She pondered that thought for a long time, Dahli remaining silent to give her the space to do so. Then he began to tell her of moments in his life when he’d most felt the impacts of not ageing, and gave her advice on how to minimise the drawbacks. She’d guessed that seeing people she loved grow old and die would be a great source of sadness, but it sounded like the greater struggle was one of acceptance and belonging. A person’s outlook changed as they grew older and they tended to gravitate towards others like them. It did not take long before an ageless person had little in common with both the younger generation, who found them too “old” in their ways, and older people, whose choices were often motivated by an awareness of their shrinking future.

They had been silent for some time, Rielle lost in her thoughts, when Dahli suddenly spoke.

“Do you have any valued possessions in your rooms?”

Looking around, she realised they had reached the palace. Now devoid of magic, the quiet of the unpopulated complex of rooms and corridors seemed to thicken and chill the air. Dahli glanced at her, expecting an answer. She considered the objects in her room. All given to her since she’d arrived. She touched the pendant on the chain around her neck.

“No. Why?”

“We’re leaving this world,” Dahli informed her.

“How long for?”

“Permanently. Without people living here, this world will remain a weak one.”

“No. You said I hadn’t ruined the palace.”

“You didn’t. It wasn’t your decision to have you taught here.”

“Then why not teach me elsewhere?”

Dahli shrugged. “I guess Valhan decided it was time to abandon this place. He may as well use the remaining magic for something worthwhile.”

His tone was light, but the line between his eyebrows had returned. She searched his face for clues, but as he noticed her scrutiny he looked away, quickening his steps. As he steered her towards the Arrival Hall she gathering up her scarf from around her neck and draped it over her head.

“What about everyone else here?” she asked.

“Already gone.” His back straightened as he passed through the archway into the Hall. “Raen,” he said, his voice suddenly heavy with respect and admiration.

Rielle followed. Valhan stood a few paces away. A shiver ran over her skin. The ruler of worlds’ knowing gaze moving from Dahli to her, and back again.

“Congratulations,” he said. “To both of you.”

As Dahli somehow managed to stand even straighter, she resisted a smile.

“He is an excellent teacher,” she said, happy to have been the reason for his pride.

Valhan’s gaze returned to hers. “And you a worthy student.”

“Ah… thank you for… for everything,” she said, abandoning the dignified speech of gratitude she had planned to give.

His smile was small and brief, but enough to tell her he was pleased. “You must have many questions, but they will have to wait.”