Some of the Barrani weren’t trapped in classes.
No. But the Academia appears to have schedules that coincide with individual students. Not all of the students who occupy the class that has currently been interrupted occupy all of the classes I, in theory, am taking. I can think and speak to you, but there is a flow, and a strength to the flow, of activity. When this class is over, I will leave and head to the next class. When that class is done, there is lunch—lunch seems to be common ground for all who are students here—and then there are two more classes. I then retreat to the library to study.
You don’t have a choice in this?
No. I have some choice in the perusal of titles—and I find that perusal fascinating—but I have nowhere near enough time to examine all titles of interest, and I cannot read a number of them.His tone was one of mild frustration and longing.Dinner is also at a common time, although it is longer. I believe that all who are present on these grounds in the way I am—or the way the other Barrani are—will make their way to the dining hall.
And after?
I return to my room. I study. I sleep.
Barrani don’tneedto sleep.
Killianas believes we require time in our room, perhaps to study or contemplate the lessons we have been given. I believe that most of the students here are caught in schedules of their own, but are trapped in similar fashions.
So...the people Sedarias and Annarion fought were also classed as students, but those students didn’t have classes scheduled for this day?
At times, I am surprised by your perception. Yes, that is entirely possible. It is a reasonable conjecture and one that makes sense.
Chapter 19
“I’m guessing Terrano or Mandoran have done something up above.”
“What gave it away?” Bellusdeo asked, voice dry enough it might catch fire if she breathed.
“Nightshade confirms that there’s been a disturbance. And no, he doesn’t know what caused it. He’s here as a student. He doesn’t appear to have a full range of choice over his location or his movements. He can’t get up and walk out of his class, and he appears to be following a routine. Within that routine, he has choice—but not enough to break the routine itself.
“He’s suggesting that some of the Barrani and humans who were headed to Larrantin’s building are also classed as students—but as students who have no classes, if that makes sense?” It made no sense to Kaylin, but she’d never been sent to a big fancy school. It would have killed her. Or her teachers. Or her guardian of the time, probably from apoplexy.
“Terrano and Mandoran weren’t noticed by Killian—or if they were, they weren’t here as students. They had their usual control over themselves. They could see what I could see with Hope’s intervention. Sedarias and Annarion don’t seem to have entered the building as smoothly.”
“It is possible,” the Arkon said quietly, “that the damage they did to the would-be attackers was noted by Killianas. It was not his desire that students murder each other, and the student body could be...fractious. The Barrani were far more likely to carry their political affiliations with them, but they were not the only ones. I think, at the moment, if we understood how Killianas survived, we would be in a position to make plans for the future.”
“I think,” Kaylin said, “that if we found out why or how Candallar is even here, we’d be able to make plans.”
“Agreed,” Bellusdeo said.
“Were either of you under the impression that this was a democratic process? If so, I apologize.” The Arkon roared. And breathed fire. When the Arkon turned and began to walk down this wide, long hall, Bellusdeo and Kaylin fell in behind. Even Hope appeared to be subdued.
Have you moved at all?Kaylin asked Severn.
If by moved you mean, are we out of the endless hall, the answer is no.
Emmerian’s good?
Emmerian is remarkably calm and reasonable, given the color of his eyes.
Is the ground still shaking?
She could feel Severn’s nod.I believe the rooms might be slightly different than they were the first time we went through them—but the door at the end of the hall leads to the beginning of the hall, as it did the first time we encountered it. Killian, however, is gone.
Terrano found us. He couldn’tjoinus, but he could talk to us. Now he can’t. I don’t suppose he’s found you?
Not yet. Was he expecting to lose communication?
I don’t know. There was a lot of Leontine before the last sentence. We’re going to look for a door. Or a room. Or something.
Do you think you’re at the core?
