Yeah, well. There are worse alternatives.
Not to some of the Barrani.
And if I hated it, he continued,I couldn’t do anything about it, anyway; Sedarias would murder me. Slowly.She felt a flash of his grin as she lifted her hand, and then nothing at all. She didn’t own Terrano’s name—and even if she once had, it wouldn’t have done her any good. He didn’t have it now.
Kaylin looked past Terrano to see her hovering familiar. “Hope,” she said, holding out an arm. He rotated in place, but closed his mouth and, after a few seconds, condescended to return to his place on her shoulder.
All eyes were upon Kaylin as she straightened those shoulders, readjusted her posture and turned once again to face the thrones. She avoided looking at anyone but the High Lord and the Consort, but felt a little bit of Teela’s glare hit the side of her face.
The Consort’s eyes had more blue in them than they usually did, but that blue faded as she met Kaylin’s gaze. A half smile touched her lips and she shook her head almost ruefully, nodding. Then she rose.
“Are your companions well?” she asked.
Breath was held; Kaylin was probably the first person present to exhale. “Yes. I apologize for what might be my overreaction. They’re guests in my home, and not all of them are accustomed to a gathering such as this; I believe some find the honor done them almost overwhelming.”
Sedarias’s glare joined Teela’s.
“It is to be expected, surely,” the Consort said. “And for my part, I find it refreshing. If you and your companions would join me, I believe I am desirous of refreshments.”
“Of course, Lady,” Kaylin replied. She noted that the Consort didn’t ask anyone else’s permission.
Ynpharion spoke as he joined the Consort.I am to convey the Consort’s gratitude.His words were about as natural as Kaylin’s to the Consort had been.
For saving Terrano?
For saving the cohort. What we saw was your solicitous intervention. You put a hand on Terrano’s shoulder.
And the melting stones?
His interior voice relaxed, for a variant of relaxed which meant he once again felt free to be annoyed.Everyone witnessed that. He is your familiar. You might suggest some subtlety on his part.
I didn’t tell him what to do.
No, and I would keep thatfirmlyto yourself—if it is possible for you to keepanythingto yourself. But yes, the familiar caused some concern in the Court.This, conversely, amused him.And the stones did melt. You understand, he continued when she failed to have the correct reaction to this fact,that those stones could withstand the hottest of Dragon breath? Your familiar is feared for a reason.
If Coravante hadn’t attacked Terrano, my familiar would never have left my shoulder.
Yes. But as you cannot say that Coravante attacked Terrano—although some will, of course, be aware of this—the familiar’s actions seem erratic and dangerous. I am certain that, in your absence, some of the lords will be calling for your expulsion.
I can’t be made outcaste, Ynpharion.
No, of course not. You are not part of our race. You can, however, be forbidden the High Halls if you choose not to divest yourself of the creature on your shoulder.Grudgingly, he added,But it was well done.
What was?
Calling him back. It implies that control, however incomplete, remains with you.When Kaylin did not reply immediately, he added,It means youhavepower. The familiar’s existence—if that is, in fact, what he is, and there has been some debate—implies it heavily. To see it exercised is not entirely detrimental to your status.
I don’t give a rat’s ass—
The Consort favors you. She cannot be seen to favor the weak.
Right. Of course not.
She has taken the risk of showing inordinate favor to the cohort, given the politics that surround their reappearance. If they fail—if Terrano had somehow transformed—that would be considered disastrous for her. And that would, of course, reflect poorly on the High Lord.
“Lord Kaylin?” The Consort interrupted the flow of Ynpharion’s lecture; Kaylin didn’t consider their interchange to be a conversation.
“Sorry. I was thinking.”
