Cast in Wisdom (Chronicles of Elantra #15) - Michelle Sagara Page 0,135
was occupied and could not accept it at the time.”
“And you can’t open the library yourself?”
“No, Chosen. Not yet.”
* * *
“You believe,” Kavallac said, as if the entire conversation had been audible, “that Killian is like other buildings of your acquaintance.”
“I did.”
“The Academia was not like other such buildings. Killian is not the entirety of it, although he is its most certain steward. His ascension was not determined the way other such ascensions once were, and while all such ascensions were voluntary, the restrictions and responsibilities accepted at the outset defined them.
“The nature of the Academia, the purpose with which it was built, the optimism on which it was founded—these were not what your Towers were built for, nor your Hallionne, nor even your Helen.”
“What was the nature of the Academia?”
“Ah, I believe I see your Dragons now.”
Given the distance Kaylin had covered by foot—albeit slowly and carefully—she was surprised that it had taken so long to fly back. Which was probably a clue: this wasn’t actual flight in any fashion. She landed behind Bellusdeo—Bellusdeo turned instantly, her eyes a shade of orange that was almost red.
Kaylin slid off Kavallac’s back; Bellusdeo’s eyes lost some of their orange as they met Kaylin’s gaze. “What,” the gold Dragon said, “have you done this time?”
Arbiter Androsse appeared from behind Kavallac’s landing spot; it was easier to see him because Kavallac chose to transform into the more compact form. She was slightly taller than Bellusdeo, but had not adopted the natural armor that Bellusdeo had. Usually, in Kaylin’s reality, this would mean she was naked.
She wasn’t. She wore loose robes, the same pale color as the rest of her; only her eyes now resembled the eyes of the two Dragons. The Arkon turned more slowly than Bellusdeo had.
“Arkon,” Kaylin said quickly. “This is Arbiter Androsse. And this is Arbiter Kavallac.”
Kavallac surprised her. She bowed, and the bow wasn’t a superficial display of good manners; there was genuine respect in it.
Nor did the Arkon demand that she rise or put aside the frivolity of the manners Kaylin often thought were a waste of time. He waited, straightening his shoulders; his eyes were a complicated color, hard to see clearly in the dim light.
“Arbiter Androsse,” he said. “Arbiter Kavallac.” When he spoke her name, she rose.
“You have aged,” Kavallac then said. Kaylin was never going to understand manners.
“I have,” he replied with the shadow of a smile. “You met me in a youth that is so distant even I can barely recall it.”
“You did not remain here.”
“No. Very, very few did. We were called away to war, and war was joined on many fronts. I am almost surprised to be recognized.”
“The Chosen mentioned you by the name you once used. As she is not Draconic, I beg that you overlook this.”
Kaylin flicked a glance in Bellusdeo’s direction. Bellusdeo, however, was a warrior queen in this place. Ice would not melt in her mouth.
“I am familiar with Lord Kaylin and her antics,” the Arkon replied. “She has been of aid many times to my Flight, but she came late to etiquette; hers is predicated on survival.”
“How comes she to know that name?”
He then turned to Bellusdeo. “This is Bellusdeo; we were Aerie kin before her disappearance. She has only recently returned, and when we shared that Aerie I was not—and would never have dreamed of becoming—Arkon. Her early greetings were therefore far less formal.”
“How come you to be in this space?” She already knew how; Kaylin had told her.
“The Chosen opened a door for us. We are therefore intruders.”
“Yes,” Kavallac replied. “But the chancellor has given no instructions and made no requests of us.”
Kaylin was certain she’d said there was no chancellor, as well.
“No. The chancellorship has not been decided. Someone, however, appears to be acting as interim chancellor—without the blessing of Killianas.”
“Who?”
The Arkon shook his head. “We do not know, Arbiter. It is, perhaps, to discover that that we have come. Has the Chosen spoken to you of the current condition of the Academia?”
“Not at great length, or perhaps not in useful detail.” Kavallac’s smile was mostly teeth. “But there are less welcome intruders than you, and also, we appear to be missing Starrante.”
Silence.
* * *
Robin and Terrano have been talking, Severn said.
About anything that might be useful?
Sedarias is, at a distance, attempting to keep them on topic. I’m not certain where she is.
How’s that working out?
It’s Terrano. Robin’s excited about the new class.
Oh?
Because it is a new class, a different lecture. He’s been experimenting.