“Given the trouble you get into,” Bellusdeo said, “I wouldn’t qualify the question that way.”
“Can you open it?” the Arkon asked, the words shorn of the edge of command or demand.
“I haven’t tried. Larrantin wanted it delivered to Killian, and he asked that if Killian had any advice to offer, I return to him with it.”
The Arkon stared at the block in front of Kaylin as Hope lifted his wing. It became a book again. “You meant to give this to me.”
“You’re the only person I know who collects detritus.”
“Then you should get out of your house more.” His fingers stroked his beard for the first time since they’d entered the library; his eyes were now a steady orange. “Very well. It is possible your familiar is correct. If this is meant to somehow waken or fortify Killianas, opening the book itself might bleed some of the magic or power from it. I am not certain that you should leave it here.”
Kaylin did not stumble in shock. Sanabalis almost did.
“I thought it would be safest here.”
“I am not at all certain that that is the case. I believe if you are separated from it, even the appearance it has to the rest of our eyes will fade.”
“What do you mean? It’ll become invisible on its own?”
The irritable snort he gave, and the look that accompanied it, were pure Arkon, or at least the Arkon she knew. “It will not be a tablet, in my collection. It will disperse. There is, of course, a way to test that—but I do not wish to lose the artifact.” He then exhaled. This time without smoke and the threat of fire.
“You have given me much to consider. I ask that you remain in contact with me for the duration. I will ask to be kept apprised of the situation in Candallar—I believe it likely that you will find Candallar involved with much of the strangeness. And I would ask that you find a way to liberate Lord Nightshade. He will be absent from his Tower, and if you cannot hear him, it is very likely that his Tower will not hear him, either.”
“I won’t be able togoto work carrying this around,” Kaylin said to Bellusdeo.
“I nonetheless think the Arkon correct.” They had chosen to accept the offer of an Imperial carriage to return home. Probably just in time to change and head out for the day.
“I believe that the Halls of Law can do without you for a day or two; arrangements have already been made.” This was Emmerian. For reasons known only to Emmerian and the Arkon, Emmerian had chosen to escort them home. Of the Dragon Court, outside of the Arkon, Emmerian caused Bellusdeo the least friction, although her eyes had darkened a shade of orange when he had first made his request.
“I would recognize both Lord Illanen and Lord Baltrin,” Emmerian told Bellusdeo. “And some handful of their followers and the agents they employ and deploy. They have been under the Imperial gaze for some time; it is clear the nature of that surveillance will require some careful handling.
“I am certain that you can deal with most of the people either Lord employs, and I am certain you can provide Kaylin some of the protection required. But none of us are cognizant of the functions of the artifact she is now carrying, and where magic is used, the two might mix in an unfortunate way.
“If it displeases you, I will withdraw my request.”
The gold Dragon had stood rigid and immobile for three long beats. She then nodded, the nod as stiff and regal as any nod the Emperor might have given.
Kaylin was not a very happy person when she arrived home.
Helen was waiting in the frame of the open door, her expression concerned and possibly maternal. Kaylin remembered very little of her mother, and she was past the age where she needed one.
Mostly past the age.
“What are you carrying, dear?” Helen asked, although Kaylin was pretty certain she knew at least as much as Kaylin did; the fence was the boundary of Helen, and Kaylin’s walk up the drive gave her enough time to read Kaylin’s thoughts.
“Yes. I see.” She looked beyond Kaylin to Bellusdeo and Lord Emmerian. “Your sergeant sent you a mirror message.”
“I’m on leave of absence.”
“Yes, dear.”
Kaylin understood that the Halls of Law could do without her for a couple of days. She understood, when push came to shove, that they could do without her indefinitely. The city was full of people, and people needed work. The Hawks who had died on the night the High Halls had come under full attack had been replaced, and some of them had been more valuable to the force than Kaylin had ever been.
But she wasn’t as certain that the inverse was true. She wasn’t at all certain thatshewanted to do without the Halls of Law or the Hawks.
“I see you’ve brought a guest. It is early for guests,” Helen added, a trace of apology in her voice. “I will ask the cohort to remove themselves to quarters that will be quieter. Wait a moment.”
“I’m not sure he’s staying,” Kaylin began.
