Speaking for the first time, the witch said to Lily, "What . . . what manner of creature are you?"
Before Vale could interrupt, Lily replied, "Why, a sylph. A water nymph."
The young woman's terror was unmistakeable. She blanched with fear, staring whitely at Lily, as though her worst fears stood incarnate before her.
Vale began moving towards Lily, but Belloc rose to meet the assistant's threat. "Vale," said the wizard, "you know me well. If you so much as speak out of turn to this girl, you will answer to me."
Vale looked to Baldric for aid, but the Steward said, "Do not affront this colleague of Darrow, Vale! Though you were formerly deep in Darrow's confidence, just as you are in mine, still Belloc is of higher standing than anyone here present, including myself. Where Belloc or any other of the order of wizards resides, it were as though Darrow himself was here in the flesh! Regardless, by your actions, you cause me to wonder if I have given you too much leeway already. From the
beginning, I felt it in my heart that trouble would come of concealing this creature's presence from the elves of Normandon. I see now that this concession, a product of your urging, may have been a mistake on my part. Do not test your limits with me again."