Cast in Wisdom (Chronicles of Elantra #15) - Michelle Sagara Page 0,3
safer to tail Tain than it is to tail Kaylin if you’re worried about Teela’s reaction,” Bellusdeo said, frowning slightly.
“You need a better imagination.”
* * *
It felt like it had been so long since Kaylin had seen Marcus’s furry face she wanted to run up and hug him. She wanted to keep her job more, but it was surprisingly close. His eyes were a blend of orange and gold, but they shaded mostly to gold as Kaylin approached the desk. Bellusdeo had stopped at Caitlin’s desk. Mandoran had wandered over to Teela’s.
“I’m happy to see you remember you still have a job, Corporal,” the Leontine sergeant growled. He pointed to the duty board.
Kaylin made it halfway there and then suddenly wheeled. “Did you say corporal?” She glanced at the roster. She and Severn were expected to resume their Elani beat. She then almost raced across the room to stand in front of Marcus’s desk. His eyes were pure gold now. He smiled.
To people unfamiliar with Leontines, smiles looked a lot like bared fangs, never a good sign. Kaylin was familiar with Leontines. “Do I make mistakes when it comes to rank?”
She tried not to bounce on the spot.
“He just wants to be able to bust you down a rank when you screw up,” someone farther into the office shouted. Joey, she thought.
“You’ve handled yourself well in a fraught situation for some time. You have been, by necessity, an ambassador for the Hawks.” Although Marcus spoke, Kaylin highly doubted the words were his. “Your reaction upon hearing this news has lost a few people some money.”
“What were they betting? Less dignity on my part, or more?”
“Less.” The smile deepened. Clearly Marcus had not lost money if he’d bet at all. “The Hawklord, however, wishes to speak with you before you leave for Elani.”
At this very moment, the Emperor himself could demand to speak with her, and it wouldn’t put a dent in her mood.
* * *
Severn was already in the Hawklord’s tower when Kaylin arrived. Her breathlessness had nothing to do with the climb up the stairs, but she was breathless as she entered the office. She struggled to find the appropriate rigidity and failed.
He doesn’t look happy, Hope said.
She was still startled to hear her familiar speak actual syllables. He did sound kind of like a bird, though. Hope’s eyes were clearly better than hers; at this distance, she couldn’t quite make out the color of the Hawklord’s eyes. But he couldn’t be entirely unhappy; his wings were in the rest position.
Severn was standing at ease and turned to face Kaylin as she made her entrance.
“Visit the quartermaster before you leave for Elani,” the Hawklord said.
This dimmed her enthusiasm somewhat. But of course, she needed to visit said quartermaster, who still held a grudge about a damaged dress. She was a corporal now. She needed to bear the insignia of that rank.
She saluted smartly, standing at attention in front of the Aerian who ruled the Hawks.
The Hawklord nodded to acknowledge this, and she lowered her arm. “It is my hope,” he said, “that you will be able to pursue your normal duties for some time.” Something about his tone implied that he doubted this would be possible. It wasn’t the weary not-this-again tone, either.
“At the moment, you have Lord Bellusdeo by your side.”
She nodded.
“The Emperor has made clear to me that Lord Bellusdeo will continue to—what was his word?—observe. He was not best pleased when that observation led you to the West March. The Arkon has requested some use of your time, as well. The Emperor wishes to prioritize this.”
The Hawklord didn’t. His eyes were gray. Not ash gray, just gray. It was the equivalent of orange in the Leontine gaze. “You are the only two Hawks currently on the roster who have extensive experience in the fiefs.”
Kaylin glanced at Severn. Severn nodded. He seemed calm, but it was always hard to tell whether or not he was surprised.
“I know that your experience is centered around the fiefs of Nightshade and what is now Tiamaris. Corporal Handred, have you ever entered Candallar?”
“Yes.”
“Have you encountered the fieflord?”
Severn nodded. “Never within the boundaries of his fief.”
“He has been spending some time in the warrens, according to your report. Kaylin’s written report has failed to reach the sergeant’s desk. I expect this to be remedied.”
The Hawklord did not dismiss them, which Kaylin half expected. He walked to the tall oval mirror that stood to his left. “Records.”