“If you would ask the committee in your head, as you put it, to allow me a few minutes of your uninterrupted time, I would be most appreciative. And while my brothers would agree that I was perhaps hasty in my attempt to reach you, I am far less likely to be lost—either in the Hallionne or on the portal paths—than you. And my presence, for better or worse, will not start a war.”
“Bellusdeo had no intention of coming here.”
“Oh?”
“The water dumped us inside of Orbaranne.” If Kaylin expected this to make the Consort any more resigned, it failed spectacularly.
“You asked the water to bring you to Orbaranne?” Her tone was wrong; all edge. All steel.
“No. And the water didn’t ask us for permission, either.”
“Was the water operating under the command of another?”
Kaylin shook her head. “I’m almost certain that the water dropped us here of its own accord. And you knew something,” she added, eyes narrowed.
“Ah, no. The Oracles have been troubled recently. You must know it is difficult to interpret their visions or creations. But the existence of the cohort has been much in my thoughts; one possible interpretation of the oracular message involved that cohort. And you. I thought there was a chance that you would be driven to the Hallionne. I interceded to ask that the Hallionne accept you and your traveling companion—” here she paused to eye the familiar, who snorted “—as guests. I didnotexpect that you would arrive with Lord Bellusdeo.” She hesitated, and after a long pause, added, “I thought there was a possibility that you would have either Mandoran or Annarion with you.”
“I don’t suppose,” Kaylin said in Elantran, “there’s any way we can convince you to just go home?”
One perfect brow rose.
“Alsanis thinks we need to go to where you are. By the portal paths. Which hasn’t really worked out well for us so far.”
“Ah. Yes. I have been in discussions with the Hallionne about this problem. But the Hallionne are not extensible. They cannot simply extend their reach; they are limited by the words which harbor the entirety of their power. And you must understand the reasons for this.”
Kaylin didn’t, but it didn’t take all that long to think it through. The Hallionne were sentient. They had desires of their own—desires that often caused conflict with the very reason for their existence. If they could simply expand their sphere of influence, they would become like gods; there was very little they couldn’t do within their own space. She met the Consort’s steady gaze and nodded.
“Sedarias thinks that the attack on Alsanis was motivated entirely by Barrani politics.”
The Consort nodded again, her expression grave.
“You don’t think so.”
“Ah, no. I believe that Sedarias is materially correct. But I also believe there are consequences to the actions that have not been fully considered. It is the way of my kin to believe fully in their own power—and that belief does not often falter. Power is necessary for survival. We seek power in subtle ways, but where subtlety has failed us, we seek power in unpredictable places.”
“I suppose Ynpharion told you—” The Consort cleared her throat. Kaylin took the hint and started the sentence again. “I suppose you already know that one of the Barrani walked into Ravellon and came out carrying one of the Shadows with him. Literally with him.”
“Yes.”
“IntoRavellon,” Kaylin repeated.
“Yes, Lord Kaylin. We are now aware.”
“I think there’s a chance that—” Kaylin faltered. She could not mention the High Lord in this context. She might have problems keeping her mouth shut when things got heated, but even she knew that there were some things that were never to be said out loud.
The Consort waited, as if testing that resolve, but when Kaylin failed to finish the sentence she’d impulsively started, she said, “We are aware of that, now. The situation is complicated. Will the cohort, as you call them, travel to Elantra?”
“I think there is no chance whatsoever that Sedarias will now remain here.” Kaylin hesitated and then added, “I’m sorry about skipping out on dinner.”
The Consort laughed.
Kaylin did not. “I know that everything with the Barrani is politics and misdirection. But—Mandoran and Annarion are part of my home, and the whole damn cohort comes with them.”
“They are not kin.”
“No—they’re closer than kin. You don’t get to choose your kin. But you do get to choose yourkyuthe. And frankly, Sedarias killed her sister—who’s tried to kill her before—and Teela killed her father. I’m not sure the Barrani really understand family the way the rest of us do.”
“When you say ‘us,’ ask Bellusdeo about Dragon family, sometime. My brother will not be in favor of the cohort arriving in Elantra.”
