'I am more accustomed to summoning demons than being summoned.'

“I am more accustomed to summoning demons than being summoned by them,” the old man said.

The words might have been a jest, but Dantalion knew that Myrddin did not joke with the likes of him.

“Once does not make a custom,” he smiled. The likes of him had learned to laugh alone.

“I hope that the matter is worth the trouble,” Myrddin muttered.

“Assuredly. I have learned something you will like to know.”

'I have learned something you will like to know.'

“To wit?”

“The elves have named the half-​​elf child of the elf girl and the knight.”

“Named it?”

“By their ceremony.”

“And why did you suppose I should like to know this?” Myrddin snapped. “The elves are no concern of mine.”

'And why did you suppose I should like to know this?'

The jinni smiled. “Its name is Makil.”

Myrddin was silent.

“There are two sons of men named Dragon now,” Dantalion explained.

'There are two sons of men named Dragon now.'

“I understood that!” Myrddin barked.

“What does this mean?”

“Do you suppose I shall tell you?”

'Do you suppose I shall tell you?'

“You do not know,” Dantalion chuckled.

“How did they come to the name?”

“It was done according to their ceremony. It was no whim.”

“What of the – ”

'I told you that the child is remarkable.'

“I told you that the child is remarkable,” Dantalion interrupted, “and you did not believe.”

“Only because it is a boy. You did not – ”

“It is not remarkable because it is a boy. It is a boy because it is remarkable.”

Myrddin glared at him. The old man knew there would be no explanation of this statement, and he would not deign to ask only to be denied.

“How did it come to be a boy?” Myrddin grumbled at the last.

“Ah! I have not inquired, since you did not believe the child remarkable.”

'I have not inquired, since you did not believe the child remarkable.'

“Inquire!”

“Now, I wonder whom I shall ask?” Dantalion mused, chuckling deep in his throat.

“Perhaps the elves know. Find out! That is your task.”

'Find out!  That is your task.'

“Is that the best you can find?”

“You will not tell me why it is remarkable. Therefore you shall tell me why it is a boy.”

“So am I tasked,” the jinni smiled, “O my master.”

'So am I tasked.'