Even Bellusdeo was aware of the risk—of the disaster—of that possibility. She rumbled, but stalled her transformation, reversing it.
It was midafternoon by the time they returned to the Halls of Law. Food was scant in the mess hall, given the hour. Kaylin’s suggestion—that they return to the Halls with a stopover at home—had apparently been inaudible.
Nightshade did not leave off his exploration of the border zone. Kaylin could feel the edge of his sharpening curiosity.Be careful, she told him.
This surprised them both.I am always careful.
She didn’t argue with his use of the word “careful.”Annarion will be upset if you disappear, and I have to live with him.
Things were calm enough between the two brothers at the moment that Nightshade could, and did, find this slightly amusing.If I have difficulty, you are certain to be aware of it.
I’ve had emergencies when the other people who knew were nowhere near. It’s not as much fun as it sounds.
His amusement grew deeper.
Marcus was not impressed by Bellusdeo’s natural suit of armor. His eyes were a shade of orange that would have been dangerous had they not been accompanied by an expression of resignation and disgust.
“What,” he said to Kaylin without preamble, “have you done now?”
She wasn’t the one wearing the armor. “Next time,” she muttered. “We’re going home first.”
“Corporal?” he snapped in a tone that made Kaylin’s promotion seem nonexistent.
“We made contact with the fieflord of Candallar.”
“He attacked you?”
“No. I believe there’s a possibility that we can have a meaningful discussion outside of the fief itself—but he was cautious and not forthcoming. Bellusdeo wanted to see theRavellonborder in Candallar. She’s concerned—”
“I can speak for myself.”
Kaylin shut up.
Marcus transferred his orange gaze to Bellusdeo. Frankly, if Kaylin had filled his seat, that gaze would never have left her. Although her own eyes were far more golden, she was the biggest threat the room now contained—and the room contained Barrani Hawks as well as an annoyed Leontine.
“I am unimpressed with the security measures taken by the empire with regards toRavellonand its Shadows. I am unimpressed with the...fieflords, or rather, their selection. There has clearly been some difficulty with Shadows and the security and stability of the very necessary border. I wished to ascertain for myself that the border was secure.”
“And?”
“And?”
“Is the border secure?”
“It is demonstrably not secure enough, but some theories have emerged; I am assessing the possible or probable dangers, but I wished to see the entirety of the border.”
“The entirety.”
“Yes.”
“You traveled through all of the fiefs along theRavellonborder.”
“Yes. Or is there another way to assess that I possibly failed to consider?”
“For the Records, I want it to be known that this wasnotthe assignment I gave the corporals.”
Bellusdeo snorted.
Kaylin said absolutely nothing. Hope, on her shoulder, yawned, which pulled a stink-eye from the sergeant.
