Tycondrius intently returned Leafstrangle's glare.
A lengthy moment passed.
From across the table, Rosenhart audibly gulped. That boy really needed to work on his bearing.
Finally, the Ancient Gnome averted his gaze by rolling his eyes.
"The enemy," he said, "that... Haka Hazzo... I sense a peculiar magic about that one. Its ebb and flow bears an uncanny resemblance to mine."
It was a peculiar notion.
...and the implications it brought were more peculiar, still.
"I... have inherited the memory of my teachers," Leafstrangle added with a weary sigh. "And the magics they were taught are as old as the earth and stones. For in those suns, they were still fresh with youth and had much to teach."
"Teacher will make a veritable champion," Adal said with a smirk, "and I dare say that the youth the dragons chose won't be his match."
The chapters lined up oddly. Have two 1k word chapters instead of a 1500.
Also, there's an understated point in this chapter for clever readers. It's when Tycon addresses the nation-representatives. Did you catch it?