Kathra's brow furrowed. Why such magic failed for the shadow elves, or their slaves, was beyond her understanding. Even magic items that they captured that functioned perfectly for hundreds of years prior failed within days of use by her people. Ya'av taught that such magics were forbidden to them by the supposed 'Great Father' of the elves as punishment for following the Ya'av, the Great Queen, when she was cast out. Reason said that was impossible, she'd studied the elements within the control of the gods, and only Great Ya'av could theoretically block such magic, but that was preposterous.

Kathra's gaze settled again on her worthless daughter. She needed to...