Cast in Wisdom (Chronicles of Elantra #15) - Michelle Sagara Page 0,144
The Arkon said, “What is wrong?”
“Starrante’s a Barrani name, right?”
Silence. The pause held the crackle of lightning and the roar of Dragons.
“Ah. It is indeed a Barrani name—but it is a name that was adopted for ease of use by the students and the academic committee overseen by the chancellor.”
“Starrante’s not Barrani.”
“No.”
“Did you ever actually meet him when you were a student here?”
“Yes.”
“Did he happen to, I don’t know, eat the students when he was in a bad mood?”
“In his time, he was considered the most gentle of the Arbiters; I believe it was Androsse who caused occasional structural damage when disappointed.”
“Fine. Was he a giant, hairy, eight-legged spider-like...creature?”
“Ah. I believe Corporal Handred has found some part of Starrante.”
Chapter 25
Robin had led them to the chancellor’s office, and was peering through the door; Kaylin was aware of his presence because Severn was. The child kept Severn and Emmerian between him and the open door. Annarion had taken up position by the side of Severn that wasn’t occupied by a Dragon.
You should tell Robin to go back to class, Kaylin said.
Severn, however, lifted an arm. Given the proximity of Annarion’s sword, this took courage. “The Arkon says that this is one of the people we’re looking for.”
Given that the creature had not yet attacked, although what might have been a head had swiveled in their direction, Annarion said nothing rude. He didn’t sheathe his weapon but did lower it—without removing Severn’s arm. Emmerian was, in theory, unarmed. Dragons considered swords of nonmagical origin inferior to the gifts granted them by nature. This was because they were.
The creature that looked like a giant spider opened a mouth that was distinctly fleshy. Its voice was a screech of sound, like large chunks of rock rubbing against each other in the middle of an earthquake, but quieter.
No one spoke in response, and the mouth opened again. The creature appeared to be sitting on an impressive desk, and it flexed four of its legs to sidle off the flat surface.
“Arbiter Starrante,” Severn said. “We apologize for interrupting you at your work.” He spoke in High Barrani but spoke slowly. Annarion was willing to allow Severn to speak for them, which probably meant Sedarias was occupied.
The spider creature’s mouth closed slowly. Yes, he did have a head that was separate from the rest of his body. That head rose on something that resembled a leg rather than a neck. The head itself appeared to be mostly mouth, but the round, dark things that might be eyes sat at the four corners of a mouth that seemed rectangular in shape.
The creature spoke again, but this time, Kaylin could understand the words. They were Barrani. “You are not in class.”
“We have permission to leave the classroom.”
“Impossible.”
Robin said, “Killian gave me permission.” He spoke from behind Severn’s back. “You can ask him.”
“Ah.” It was hard to tell if Arbiter Starrante was frowning. His eyes, however, seemed to be shifting in color—or at least the two lower eyes. They had gone from black to a pale blue. The upper eyes remained dark, but Kaylin could see—through Severn’s eyes—a flicker of something that might be gold. “I am afraid Killianas is not responding.”
“Killianas requested that the library be opened.”
“That is not Killianas’s decision to make,” Starrante said, more edge in the words.
“Is it yours, Arbiter Starrante?”
Careful, Kaylin said.
The head lowered, retracting into the body.
“Are you the chancellor?” Severn asked.
“Of course not.”
“Who is the chancellor?”
“There is no chancellor,” Starrante replied, his head now so flush with his body he once again looked like a spider. A spider that was making its way to the door.
“Who is the interim chancellor?”
“There is...no...chancellor.” The words were louder, and not just because he was closer.
Severn—
He moved, grabbing Robin and vacating the open door. But even moving, he could see—and therefore Kaylin could see—the color of Starrante’s upper eyes; they were a livid, ugly purple. She had no idea what race Starrante was; had he been less solid, she would have thought him a one-off Shadow, straight from Ravellon.
Giant spider legs with terminal claws crashed into the door frame. Annarion, like Severn, had leaped out of the way. Starrante’s movements were jerky, unnatural and punishingly swift. The door frame cracked under the weight of the sudden blow; it cracked again when the second leg joined the first.
Severn retreated down the hall, shoving Robin in Annarion’s direction.
“Don’t attack him!” he shouted. “Avoid closing.”
“Easier said than done,” Annarion replied. “He doesn’t seem to be under the same restrictions.”