Excerpt: Alcaydan

When they got back, Kennith and Zander were playing a card game. Laisha was resting beside them and joining the conversation occasionally.
“Success?” Zander asked, putting his cards on the ground and looking over.
Laisha silently reached out and took his cards, studying them.
“We won’t starve, anyway,” Rariek said. “Now all we need to do is find out where Dr. Graywing is, and I’m afraid that’s something we mortal humans aren’t going to be able to help much with.”
“So we just sit here and wait?” Zander asked, sounding disappointed.
Laisha put his cards back and returned to her previous indolent pose.
“I’m afraid so,” Edan said. “We’d have some trouble traveling anyway, though.” He nodded to Kennith and Laisha.
“I suppose so,” Zander agreed. He sighed and picked up his cards.
“Play the Three of Fire,” Laisha said, her eyes closed.
“What?” Clearly startled, Zander stared at her.
Kennith lifted his cards to hide the smirk growing on his face.
“The Three of Fire. It’s your best choice.”
Zander looked at his cards and then back at her. “But…how did you…I mean, how do you know?”
“Oh, I’ve played this game a few times before.” Laisha waved one hand in the air. “I’ve picked up a few strategy tips here and there.”
“No, but...but…” Zander paused for a moment to choose his words. “I meant, how did you know what cards I have?”
“It’s called magic,” she told him loftily.
Kennith made a strangled sound. Zeph could feel him struggling to keep a straight face and not burst out laughing.
Zander gave Kennith a quick, suspicious look and then returned his gaze to Laisha. “I don’t believe you. You couldn’t have used magic to look at my cards.”
“You’re such an expert?”
“No, but—but you…” Zander twisted to look at the two older Elementirs, watching the scene with amusement. “She couldn’t have, could she?”
Laisha gave the two a wink.
Rariek grinned and then sobered. “Well…”
Zander’s jaw dropped very slightly. “You mean she can?”
“I can’t say I’ve ever heard of anyone doing it,” Edan said, “but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.”
“See?” Laisha smiled. “Now be a dear and play the Three of Fire.”
Slowly, Zander pulled the card out and set it down. “I still don’t believe you used magic,” he said. “Someone would have done it before, and word like that would get around.”
“Zander, I’m an Alcaydan. We have unusual abilities, remember?”
“Not that unusual,” Zander muttered.
Kennith chose a card and set it down next to Zander’s. He was still keeping his cards up to hide his mouth, which kept twitching whenever Laisha said something.
“Now the Ten of Water,” Laisha said.
Zander slammed his cards down on the ground. “Laisha! Will you just cut it out and let me play?”
“I’m sorry, I just thought you’d want to win for once.”
Zander looked up at the sky. “Why don’t you announce Kennith’s cards, then? That would make it even easier.”
“I have mine shielded from her,” Kennith said promptly. He managed to keep his voice steady.
“When you’ve had to start learning everything all over? Not a chance.” He paused, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. “Laisha, are you getting Silf to tell you what my cards are?”
“Are you implying I’d ask one of my protectors for something as trivial as that?”
“Yes. Furthermore, I’m implying that I’m never going to feel safe playing cards with you ever again.”
“You don’t trust me?”
Kennith choked and then coughed into his sleeve. It was a very poor attempt at hiding his laughter.
Zander shot him a glare and then transferred it to Laisha. “Not when it comes to cards.” He picked his cards up again and set the Ten of Water on the ground. “And since Kennith has been about to explode with laughter ever since you started telling me what to play, I really don’t trust you.”
Kennith studied the cards on the ground and then his own. “Concede.” He dropped his cards face-up on the ground.
Zander scooped them all up and started to shuffle the deck. “So, Miss Read-the-cards-with-magic, tell me which one I’m about to flip over now?”
“I have a concussion,” Laisha said, sounding virtuous. “I shouldn’t be practicing magic very much right now.”
Zander started to speak and then threw the entire deck at her. Laisha yelped and managed to get her good arm up in time to block them. Kennith stopped trying to hide his laughter and practically roared with it.
It was enough to break Laisha’s iron control of herself, and she started to first giggle and then laugh outright. Zander held out a little longer and then started to laugh as well, shaking his head.