Youwantedme to invite her!
I wanted you, he said with more obvious irritation,to notice that that’s what theLadywanted.Annoyance firmly entrenched, he continued.You know almost nothing about the so-called cohort.
I know that they were sent—as children—to the green, to witness theregalia. I know that it changed them. I know that they were then jailed in the Hallionne Alsanis for centuries.
Yes, and all of that is almost irrelevant.
She considered asking her house to shut Ynpharion up. She considered it loudly, mentally enunciating each less-than-polite word. Helen, however, did not respond.Fine. What do you consider relevant?
You know what happenedtothem, but it is irrelevant to the information you have beneath your nose. It is all but irrelevant to most of the High Court. It isnotirrelevant to the Lady or the High Lord, but most of your political difficulties—
And by difficulties, you mean assassination attempts?
If the cohort is careless, yes.His tone implied that although this was so obvious it was not worth putting into words, for the sake of the ignorant, he would force himself to do so.Understand, however, that while being sent to the green, for the children themselves, was an act of sacrifice, it was not without prestige. There were twelve children chosen, twelve sent. There weremanywho sought to add children of their own to that delegation, and in the end, only the families of first rank in the High Court were given permission to do so.
It was considered a prize, at the time. It was, as most prizes are, contested. You know that the cohort felt discarded. What you fail to understand is thateveryoneis expendable. High, low, in between. Everyone is expendable when ambition is involved. Some of the twelve families have retained their positions of political prominence. Some have not.
Kaylin grimaced.They were all important at the time?
Yes. All. The lines still exist; in theory, almost all of the cohort have family to whom they might return. But not all of their families remain powerful. It is possible, should the cohort prove tobepowers, that those of lesser significance might welcome them back without offering them poison at their first meal. But if so, those who desire theline’sprominence will be fighting internally with those who do not wish to surrender the power they now have. It is better to be ruler of a lesser family than servant in a greater one.
But if they could use the cohort to gain prominence, they could then dispose of them after the fact.
Ynpharion seemed to approve of this line of thought.Yes. The possibility of greater personal power in future might stay the hand of the ambitious, and it is entirely possible, even probable, that they might ally themselves with your cause. Or rather, with the cause of the cohort. The possibility of alliance is much higher if the Consort chooses, in the end, to lend her support to the cohort.
And she can’t make that decision until she comes to dinner.
Yes.
What do you think will happen?
I do not know.He was frustrated Ynpharion again.Ido notknow the Lady’s mind. I know as much as she wishes to share, and unless it has entirely escaped your notice—and given your present guests, onemightunderstand how or why—the Barrani are not a “sharing” people. You understand what occupies the Lady’s thoughts. You understand that the very nature of the cohort—their uncertain nature—is the reason she has hope for them.
She hadn’t seemed all that hopeful, in the end.
They are a weapon one has seen at a distance, but has never attempted to wield. Had she control of them, had she some lever with which to enforce their obedience, she would not only accept them, but insist on their presence at Court—itself a dangerous move.His tone shifted.Sedarias is impressive. She would be a valuable leader, should she take the seat that is hers by birthright. But Mellarionne is not an insignificant family; it is of the first rank. And it has had a brittle interaction with the High Lord’s family for centuries.
Kaylin nodded.If they made a play for the High Seatandsurvived it, they’d have to be politically impressive. What about Annarion’s former family? Coravalle?
It does not have the power or influence it once did.
You...don’t approve of what Karellan did, either.
Ynpharion’s response was a very grudging no.
“Do either of you have the bit about the Consort’s family?”
Both Sedarias and Teela stiffened. It was Teela who replied. “If you can leave the Consort entirely out of your rudimentary grasp of court politics, things will be much safer for all of us.”
“But—”
Teela rolled her eyes. They had actually lightened to a blue that implied annoyance; it was a familiar color. “But?”
“Leaving aside the fact that she attempted to ambush us and imprison us all—”
“Imprisonus,” Sedarias said, the correction sharp-voiced and blue-eyed. “Notyou.”
“She’s coming here. Given Diarmat’s homework—” she jabbed the table with the back end of the stack she was holding “—and the Emperor’s very politely worded request that Bellusdeo return to the palace—” at this, Teela winced “—how is this not political? It’s apparently the most political thing I’ve ever done. I’ve got no way to stay out of politics. Look, I’vetriedto cancel dinner, and she’s not answering. I suppose I could slam the door in her face if she shows up—”
