Chapter 6
Their exit from the border zone, orientation provided by Severn, took them into the fief of Nightshade in midafternoon. Nightshade was not where Kaylin wanted to be on the best of days. She didn’t number the day so far to be among those.
This fief, unlike Tiamaris, radiated the grim despair of the desperate—a reminder of the life she’d had no choice but to lead, and never wanted to return to. But on the plus side, she knew Nightshade fairly well, and leaving it as a Hawk, with a Dragon as a companion, did not present problems, although it did somewhat clear the streets.
Most of the fief dwellers wouldn’t recognize Dragons on sight—not unless they were in their scaled, Draconic forms. But they did recognize the Hawk, and Kaylin and Severn were both wearing tabards. It wasn’t always safe to attract that kind of attention—but that happened outside of the fiefs, as well.
Given the day, she was almost surprised that Nightshade didn’t just materialize on the streets as they made their way out.
I did not know that you would be in my fief until this moment, the fieflord replied.
You didn’t know.
No. For some hours, you could not be reached at all. I am accustomed to this; Helen does not often allow communication unless you initiate it. You are not, he added,with Helen.
She hadn’t noticed, but she hadn’t attempted to contact any of the people whose thoughts could reach straight into the inside of her head while she’d been looking for a way out.
Do you recognize the names Durandel, Aggarok and Karriamis?
Had he been present, he would have blinked; she could feel his wordless surprise. Durandel was the name of the Tower that is now called Castle Nightshade. It is a historical name. I am curious to see what the Arkon makes of it. For that reason, nothing will impede your passage across the Ablayne today. I would, however, appreciate it if Lord Bellusdeo refrained from transforming in my streets. Where there is panic in Nightshade, I prefer it to be orchestrated panic.
Meaning he caused it.
Your brother would be a lot happier with you if—
My brother has only barely survivedbeinghimself. I have survived for centuries without his advice.
Kaylin shut down that line of thought, although it remained behind the words she struggled not to say. Which meant that Nightshade was aware of it anyway.
Candallar, she said, dragging different words and different worries to the forefront.
I understand your concern, given the events you have only recently survived.Nightshade’s tone was less glacial.You will find, however, that few of the fieflords spend the entirety of their existence within the fiefs that bear their names. Each have their own concerns.
Have you met many of them?
Silence again.
Kaylin gave up.
The Arkon’s library—or rather the Imperial Library—was open to the public. Public, in this case, involved a string of permissions that would discourage anyone who didn’t like to sign papers in figurative blood—but there were a lot of people who were willing to do that.
During the day, during the hours in which people who were not Dragons were given judicious permission to look at the Imperial collection, the Arkon did not leave his rooms. His rooms were located in the depths of a collection that was never, to Kaylin’s knowledge, open to the public.
Kaylin approached a desk so wide it served as a wall between the Imperial librarians and their visitors. Before she could speak, Bellusdeo stepped in front of her. “We are here,” she said, “to speak with the Arkon.”
The librarians were no more eager to face an irritated Dragon than Kaylin was. “Are you early for your appointment?” the standing librarian asked hopefully. Kaylin would have gotten something far less tentative. Like,Go away if you don’t have an appointment.
Since the librarian at the desk was senior, he knew damn well that Bellusdeo had no appointment. He also knew that Bellusdeo was a Dragon. “Please wait a moment,” he said. “The Arkon is occupied, but I am certain he will remember your appointment.”
That said, he called a young woman over. After a short pause, she nodded and left the desk, heading in the direction of the Arkon’s personal collection. Bellusdeo turned away from the librarian; she flashed Kaylin a toothy grin. Even in human form, Dragons had impressive canines.
“Are you in a betting mood?” the Dragon asked.
“Please don’t ask that here.”
“Oh? Why?”
“I don’t want to be charged with corrupting public morals.”
