“He wasn’tgold.”
“No. He wasn’t a Dragon at all. And the downside, as you say in Elantra, is that the responsibility for the misunderstanding and possible war will rest entirely on the shoulders of his master.” Bellusdeo laughed as Kaylin’s jaw practically hit the table.
“There is merit to the Dragon’s suggestion,” Lord Barian said. He then looked to Lirienne, his expression making perfectly clear that the decision in its entirety belonged to the Lord of the West March.
“Pardon. My manners are somewhat lacking.”
Nightshade was right: Lirienne was angry.
“I don’t suppose this is the time to interrupt,” Terrano said, interrupting anyway. Five sets of eyes immediately turned toward him.
Kaylin spoke first. “Unless you’re about to tell me that I’m unexpectedly rich and everyone around me is safe and happy, no.”
“Alsanis has guests.”
“No,” the Hallionne’s Avatar said, “I do not.”
“Fine. Alsanis has visitors.”
“Please tell me it’s not the war band.”
Terrano frowned. “Why? I mean—I understand the concept of a lie, and I understand its uses. Sedarias madevery surethat we all did,” he added, with a grimace of distaste. “But I don’t see much point in a lie that serves no actual purpose.”
Bellusdeo shook her head. “You reallyareMandoran’s brother. It’s a wonder to me personally, given what’s said about Sedarias, that either of you survived her.”
He winced. “She likes us, mostly. But, yes, there’s a war band. Well, no, there’s a delegation of three men, impressively armed and armored. If you want, I can go outside and see how many people are waiting behind them.”
“That will not be necessary.” Lirienne rose. So did Lord Barian. They exchanged a single glance; it was Barian who nodded, bowed and waited until Lirienne left the table. He then followed.
20
“Yes, she does,” Alsanis said, although no one had spoken.
Kaylin glanced at Terrano, who shrugged. “Don’t look at me. I don’t care if people hear what I’m thinking, so I just say it.”
“When you remember,” Alsanis added, in a slightly more aggrieved tone.
Terrano’s shrug was a little less casual. “I haven’t been speaking to others much, recently. Not with words.” He then turned his focus on Bellusdeo. “Kaylin thinks out loud as well, so that only leaves you.”
Bellusdeo exhaled, and as was often the case when she was frustrated, there was smoke in it. Alsanis, however, sharing some of that frustration, didn’t mind. She turned to Kaylin. “I was thinking that you trust the Hallionne.”
“They’re kind of like Helen.”
“To my eye, they are nothing like Helen.”
“Well, she creates rooms on the fly, and she creates small pocket spaces in which she can kind of keep deadly things away from the rest of us. Oh, and she cooks.”
Bellusdeo exhaled more smoke.
“And she cares about the comfort and safety of her occupants.” Kaylin turned to face the Avatar of Alsanis. “You’re going to get a good workout today.”
Alsanis, however, did not reply. His eyes were once again obsidian, and as Terrano turned toward the Hallionne, his shifted into something opalescent. Bellusdeo rose. Kaylin did the same, but more clumsily.
Squawk.Squawk.Squawk.
Bellusdeo’s armor—which really should have prevented her from sitting or bending in any way—shifted slightly. “Do you have any issues with draconic form? This hall is somewhat too confined for it, but the great hall is not.”
“I do not believe Kaylin thinks that is wise.”
