All That Is Evil Is Not Dark/Chapter 45

Tralin treated the Brilhado’s wounds with delicate care. He had personally taken over care of the ailing light demon. He trusted his attendants with his life but not to keep their tongues. Indeed, Draynor had been known to deliberately say things he wanted quickly disseminated among the servants, knowing that within an hour the entire city would have heard of his confidences.

"You are king, you should not be wasting your time tending to my injuries. I will recover."

"I am also one of Deren's most esteemed physicians and you are a very special case, Giliara. Do you wish to be able to fly again?"

"Yes."

"Then I suggest you let me tend you without fussing. You have taken massive damage to your wings and if you ever expect them to work as the Light Lord intended, you had better trust my ministrations."

"I do not understand why you reversed your decision. How can you trust me in a position where I am directly involved in your protection?"

"A friend gently reproved me and the nation of Deren has not gotten by without taking suggestion."

"Darin? That is why I am to be in the military, working close to him? Because this was his idea?"

"Indeed. Though we have devised a way you may be able to aid us far more greatly and prove yourself at the same time. The temple to the Lord of Light in Neld was sealed with the coming of the undead war. We are uncertain if any survive. What we are certain of is that the undead first arrived in Neld through a portal opened in the temple of Dark Lord in that complex. We have good reason to believe that the temple was sealed because it contained something of value against the Uncreator."

"Are you not concerned that I will turn on you and hand the item sought over to the Devourer myself?"

"No."

"How can you be so certain? To give me a chance is one thing, but to trust me implicitly is quite another."

"Giliara, we are not concerned because only a communicant of the Light Lord can open that seal. No malice or good intention of this world can open what the Lord of Light has sealed. You are extremely uniquely qualified to serve in that capacity. If you are genuine, the temple will open and as a communicant, you shall not wish to betray us. If you are misleading us, you will be no threat a continent away and the temple will never open to you..."

"I see... You want me to become a communicant."

"Indeed."

"But how can you be sure I can even be a communicant?"

"You represent a race of beings created as the Light Lord's personal guard; you are attuned to him uniquely." Tralin looked at Giliara directly.

'There are other signs as well,' he thought deliberately.

Giliara's answering gasp told Tralin all he needed to know.