"The king is certainly a pleasure," Laila admitted. "However, if you don't please his sons correctly or in time... well, they can be a bit violent." She paused. "We're not supposed to talk about that, though. Not much."

Instead, she changed the subject. "I've never had the opportunity to learn any form of magic. There have been a few great Mages to come into the castle; I've seen them. Never a shadow Mage, though. What's it like?"