“It seems you have remained true to yourself,” the Emperor said gravely.
“And you?” Bellusdeo asked, surprising everyone at the table. “Have you?”
The Emperor stiffened; his eyes became more orange. The line of his lips thinned. His hands didn’t become fists, but they rested on the table, stiff as boards.
The Arkon reached out and placed one hand over Bellusdeo’s. “That is perhaps not a question for the dinner table.” His voice was gentle; a brief eddy of pain marred, but did not eradicate, his affectionate expression.
“And am I to speak only of trivialities and things that do not concern me?” she demanded. Her eyes were more orange, too.
“No,” Kaylin said. “We can talk about Caste Court exemptions instead. Because at the moment, those do concern you.”
“I am not—”
“You’re the one standing guard in the infirmary.”
Bellusdeo bit back a reply, and nodded. She was, to Kaylin’s surprise, spoiling for a fight. But she wasn’t four. She reined in her temper, biting back words. Kaylin was going to be grateful if the evening ended without any of the Dragons resorting to their native tongue. “Yes, you’re right. And Lord Grammayre is no doubt being polite in his interest about the Arkon’s early years.”
The Emperor was more than willing to leave the subject behind, even if the one he was retreating to was tangled and political. He did glance thoughtfully at Kaylin before transferring his pointed gaze to the man who was commanding officer of all of the Hawks, ground or sky.
“You have always disliked Caste Court exemptions, Lord Grammayre.”
Every Hawk—no, every person who worked in the Halls of Law—hated Caste Court exemptions. Admittedly, it was the Barrani who made the most use of them; it was life-threatening to be involved in any investigation that pointed at Barrani criminals, which was most of the reason the force had Barrani Hawks to begin with.
Before the Hawklord could reply, the Emperor said, “As I am here informally, the general rules that govern behavior in the audience chambers need not apply here. You may address me as ‘Majesty.’”
It was Severn who choked on his soup, which surprised her.I find the Draconic idea of informality...ridiculous.
So did Kaylin, for what that was worth. Given that the Emperor had all the power, she didn’t labor under any misconceptions.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. As you are aware, some difficulty has arisen in regards to a member of the Hawks who serve the Imperial Law.”
“I amexceedinglyaware, yes. My secretaries and their undersecretaries dread even activating their mirrors at the start of their shift. It appears—and I have failed to ascertain the truth of this—that they have taken to referring to the Caste Court collectively as ‘the harpies.’”
The Hawklord choked on his soup, just as Severn had. Kaylin took comfort from the fact that she hadn’t. Maybe Diarmat’s forbidding, ridiculous, humiliating lessons had some value, after all.
“My apologies, Your Majesty. I was not expecting that.”
“You feel it is inaccurate?”
“I feel it is unfortunate.” He smiled as he said it. “I will not vouch for accuracy but feel compelled to point out that my secretary refers to these particular communications in a way entirely inappropriate for repetition at the dining table.”
“Then we are in accord. They will no doubt note your attendance at this dinner.”
“They will. Moran dar Carafel is currently in residence. But they have no recourse to forbid it.”
“I take it, from your private’s expression, that you wish us—ah, apologies, me—to remand this case to your jurisdiction. You will, of course, have grounds for this request.”
“I do.”
“You understand that the Caste Court will demand your flight feathers—if not your entire wings—should I condescend to do this.”
“They are demanding my wings now. But they are inconvenienced in this demand by Imperial Law. Even were I to be considered a traitor to my flight and my race, they would have to have grounds on which to make that accusation. If they did, they could of course try me and have me executed.”
“If you agreed to be tried by the Caste Court, yes.”
“I do not think I could perform my duties as an outcaste.” And Kaylin remembered that the outcastes lost their wings. “There is some possibility that charges will be forthcoming,” Lord Grammayre continued.
“So I’ve been told.”
