While it was true that the attack on the High Halls at the heart of the upscale part of the city was technically their fault, they hadn’t called the ancestors on purpose. They wouldn’t have been aware they were calling them at all had it not been for Helen, and they remained indoors—or at least Annarion did—in a desperate attempt to learn to besilent.
Mandoran found it easier; Kaylin wasn’t certain why. Mandoran was therefore allowed out of doors, because Helen didn’t consider him to be a danger. Either that or she just wanted peace and quiet; Mandoran was chatty. And whiny.
But the Emperor’s hoard was the empire, and the heart of the empire was his city. He was unlikely to calmly accept that the loss of so many lives had been accidental, and seen that way, Kaylin wouldn’t entirely blame him. But she was a Hawk, and intent did matter.
* * *
Helen was waiting at the door when Kaylin arrived home.
“What happened?”
“You have an appointment at the palace.”
“Since when?”
“Since this afternoon. I believe both you and Bellusdeo are expected to attend Lord Diarmat.”
“Since when?”
“As I said—”
“We’ve been given indefinite leave from those lessons!”
“You were given leave from them during the Aerian crisis, yes. And during Lord Diarmat’s recovery. He believes, however, that he has recovered enough to recommence.”
“But—”
“Word has reached the Imperial Court of your invitation to the Consort. In and of itself, this would not constitute an emergency. Word, however, has also made clear that the Consort has accepted.”
Kaylin wilted. “I’m supposed to go talk to Evanton after dinner.”
“Evanton, I’m afraid, will have to wait.”
“I think it’s about the cohort. And the Hallionne. He wants me to talk to the elemental water, because he thinks she knows something.”
Helen sighed. “I’ll leave it up to you, dear. I know it might make things easier for the boys—and for Teela, who is very, very worried. But I also know that ignoring Lord Diarmat means that your interactions with him in future will be even more difficult.”
Kaylin snorted. “I don’t think that’s possible.”
“Oh, it’s possible,” Bellusdeo said. “Why are you just standing there? We’re going to be late.”
Kaylin had about a hundred good arguments for why she wasn’t going at all—but the thought of being late to a lesson taught by Diarmat was enough to swamp them all with a kind of visceral dread.
* * *
“Your carriage is almost at the door,” Helen announced. “It should be here momentarily.”
Of course there was a carriage, feet being inappropriate for a Lord of the Dragon Court. Then again, wings were better than feet, and they were technically illegal without Imperial permission. Bellusdeo did not ask anyone for permission. The Dragon was wearing her feline grin as she made her way to the front door, where Helen waited.
Kaylin was surprised when she therefore spoke in her serious voice.
“I’m worried about the boys, too.”
“Mandoran will have conniptions if he knows you’re calling them that.”
“Mandoran has conniptions when he’s breathing. He’ll live.” Bellusdeo exhaled a thin stream of smoke. “I admit that I’ve been curious about the Consort for a while, and as your last informal dinner was surprisingly enjoyable, I think I’d enjoy this one.”
“Did you tell Diarmat?”
