The Emperor's Wolves (Wolves of Elantra #1) - Michelle Sagara Page 0,110
end.”
“You are not afraid of Ybelline.”
“No.”
“And you are not afraid of Random.”
“No. I understand, on some level, what they both want. Anger might be a terrible bridge—but it is a bridge for the two of them.”
“It won’t bring the dead back.”
“No. But nothing will. The most we can hope for—and work for—is that there will be no new deaths.”
“An’Sennarin recently requested permission to visit the Oracular Halls.”
“How recently?”
“Two days ago. He was refused outright.”
“He did not make the request in person?”
“No. He took the unusual step of writing a letter.”
“It’s not unusual if the permission granted must be granted by the Emperor.” Elluvian’s gaze sharpened. “Did you keep the letter?”
“I am not a fool,” was the frosty reply. “The letter was destroyed outright. It did not leave this room once it had arrived here.”
“How long did it take you to review the request?”
“Two days—which is our norm. The letter was not handled with more care, or less care, than any other unwelcome missive. If you fear for Random, it is unnecessary. The harm she does herself, we accept. We cannot change or prevent it.
“Harm done by outsiders, however, we can.”
“Was the request for Random?”
“It was a general request. I believe the point was to gain entry.”
Severn frowned.
“The boy who made the pack you now carry,” Master Sabrai said, “had an oracle. No Barrani will be allowed across the threshold in the foreseeable future—and the reasons for that have been made clear to the Emperor and his Imperial Service. I do not believe Barrani—present company excepted—could approach the front gates without setting off appropriate alarms.”
Severn continued to study the logs.
“This one?” he asked, pointing at another logged request.
“You noticed that one? He is part of the human caste court. This would not be the first time he has made a request of the Halls.”
“The timing—”
“And the urgency, yes.”
“Could you allow the mortal to visit,” Elluvian asked, “and find out what his actual intentions are when he’s here?”
Master Sabrai was instantly angry. “No.”
“Very well. Severn?”
Severn, however, went back to the first book. “Master Sabrai, have there ever been Tha’alani visitors outside of the three children?”
“They were the first. As Random has informed you, two of the three did return.”
“And no other Tha’alani?”
Silence.
Into that silence, Ybelline now walked. Master Sabrai turned to her immediately.
“There was,” Ybelline said quietly, “one other Tha’alani visitor.” There was no question in the statement, but she held Master Sabrai’s gaze.
He nodded.
“Did he come to receive an oracle?” Severn asked.
“Ybelline Rabon seems to know what was discussed,” Master Sabrai replied. “I will leave the answers in her hands. It is a caste court matter. The Tha’alani Caste Court.” He looked at Ybelline. “Random?”
“She is resting now. She is exhausted, but I think she will be at peace.”
“She needed to meet you, I think. The Oracles and the Tha’alani have very similar experiences in the populace at large. It is easier to hide a child like Random than it would be to hide the three who came to meet her—but not when she receives an oracle. Oracles are feared, as you are, and some die just as the Tha’alani did.”
Ybelline nodded. “We have much in common, Master Sabrai.” And very little of it happy. “Random asked me to tell you that she is resting now. She thinks there might be one more visitor.”
“And?”
“Unless the visitor is the Emperor himself, Random should be considered unavailable. She said she would avoid the visitor if possible, but she’s afraid that if she does, the visitor might affect the whole of the Halls. She’s very concerned about the children.”
Master Sabrai’s voice was stiff. “Random is a single Oracle in a hall that contains many. We are aware of the possibility of a visit.”
“But not the identity of the visitor?”
“That, too, is becoming clearer. The Oracular Halls are not your concern. Do not shoulder burdens that are not yours—the burdens you do carry will be heavy enough.”
Ybelline remained where she was standing.
“I was nervous when the Tha’alani children appeared,” Master Sabrai said, his voice rough around the edges. “Random was not. I think very, very few of her visitors have ever brought her joy. What happened because of that visit—”
“It wasn’t her fault.” Ybelline’s voice was low, and as rough as Master Sabrai’s.
“No. Nor was it the fault of children with more curiosity than caution. I believe the initial visit, surprising as it was, was good for Random.” He exhaled. “I believe it would have been good for any of the children in my care.