“We’re not going to destroy that.”
You cannot control the flow of the battle.
“No,” Kavallac said, making clear that she could understand the words that Hope now spoke to Kaylin. “She cannot. But we are Arbiters, and this is the ground upon which we are at our most powerful if we are not a triad. We will control the flow of battle; it is the reason for our existence.” Her grin was a baring of teeth. “It is us that they are likely searching for, and we are grateful that you found us first. You will not fall here.”
“Wedon’t knowhow they found Starrante—but they clearly did, and they’ve somehow—”
“We will find out.”
“The library—”
“Stay with the Arkon,” Kavallac said, her voice a rumble of thunder.
“If she means,” the Arkon said quietly, as Androsse and Kavallac advanced toward the intruders the two normal Dragons couldn’t see, “protect the Arkon, I am inclined to take offense.”
Bellusdeo chuckled.
“Maybe she means protect the books,” Kaylin offered.
The Arkon turned a baleful glare in her direction.
Robin is now leading us to the chancellor’s office while he still has the flexibility in his schedule.
How long will that last?
As long as the professor is not inclined to be annoyed by his bathroom break.
Good. If we can figure out how to get out of here before you reach the chancellor’s office, we’ll try to join you.
Severn didn’t like the odds. The good thing about communication via True Names? Volume wasn’t necessary to be heard. Or to hear. Kavallac’s roar would have drowned out normal speech.The chancellor’s office seems to hold a specific weight and meaning within the greater Academia. If there is a ringleader to be found, they are likely to be found there—and they have demonstrated a much clearer understanding of the Academia than we currently possess.
You have a Dragon with you.
You have two—or three, if you include the Arbiter. On any other field, the three Barrani would refuse to engage. They are not refusing now; they must believe they have the power or the knowledge to survive three Dragons.
The floor shook beneath Kaylin’s feet. Hope squawked, but she ignored it because squawks weren’t meant for her, and she was juggling too many conversations as it was.
Light washed over the library in a wave. The heights of darkened shelves, made invisible by heavy shadow, appeared to go on for as far as the eye could see, or the feet could walk. Above their heads, behind their backs, and ahead of where they stood, the breadth and depth of a singular collection were instantly made manifest.
The Arkon spit out three sharp words; Kaylin felt a full-body slap as he adjusted what she presumed were his protections. It was clear that what Kaylin could see with Hope’s wing, the two Dragons by her side could now also see.
“Well met,” Kavallac said as the three intruders froze in place. “Welcome to the library over which we are custodial guardians.”
Two of the intruders remained frozen, words deserting them. One, however, did not. At this distance, Kaylin couldn’t see the color of his eyes, but assumed they were blue; his lips, however, turned up in what might be misclassified as a smile.
“You must be Arbiters Kavallac and Androsse,” he said, tendering them a brief bow. “We have been searching for you.”
“I’m sure,” Kavallac replied, “you have.”
“We have the requisite permissions required to traverse this domain.”
“Granted by whom?”
“By Arbiter Starrante. He was concerned for your welfare; this building is not what it once was, and he could not be certain that you were not injured or damaged. He will be pleased to note that you are well.”
This was not entirely what Kavallac expected—but that was fair. It wasn’t what Kaylin had expected, either.
“If you would accompany us, you might speak with him yourselves.”
