The Emperor's Wolves (Wolves of Elantra #1) - Michelle Sagara Page 0,111

We are all taught to fear.”

“There are things it is not safe to know.”

Master Sabrai nodded. “But the knowledge did not harm any of our children. The fear that the knowledge might exist did. As I said: the Oracles are my concern. They are not yours.”

Severn cleared his throat, and they both turned to look at him. “Have any assassinations against an Oracle succeeded in the past?”

Master Sabrai shook his head. “Not when they are in residence. I’m sure Random has attempted to explain how oracles work?”

Severn nodded.

“And I’m sure it made almost no sense to you. It is like trying to describe color to someone who has never been able to see. The oracles received without instruction or interference are clearest when the Oracles themselves are in some future danger.”

“You expect some difficulty.”

“I am certain some difficulty, as you call it, has been planned, yes. I do not know this because the person who would cause the difficulty has trumpeted their plans across the city—but in this particular case, they might just as well have. Random will be safe. If she is not, it will be because she has chosen to act in a way that does not, and cannot, guarantee safety.

“Her insistence on making your appointment was one of those choices. My apologies,” he said, bowing to Ybelline. “What I cannot guarantee is your safety or your survival. While I would welcome you as a guest or a resident, I do not believe your people would agree.”

Both of the guards were staring at Master Sabrai in open surprise.

“Random has never let go of the almost crippling certainty that the deaths that happened after the first meeting were her fault. I have hopes that she will, at last, be at peace.”

“She thinks you are angry with her.”

“I have oft found her frustrating; she is the least tractable of the Oracles. But no, I am not angry with her. And I understand her guilt; I could have refused to allow those children to cross this threshold. I did not. The responsibility lies with me.

“I will see you out.”

* * *

The carriage did not return immediately to the Tha’alani quarter. Ybelline instructed the driver to take them to the Halls of Law. She was not wearing the Imperial Service uniform that the Tha’alanari wore when involved in their Imperial duties, but they seemed all but irrelevant to her. Her eyes were almost green—when Severn could see them.

For much of the less than comfortable carriage ride, her eyes were closed.

Severn didn’t ask her what she and Random had discussed. He didn’t ask her who the Tha’alani visitor—the official visitor—had been. He was almost certain he knew the answer; confirmation was not required.

What he wanted to know now, was what information justified the murders of the three and the brutal deaths that had followed in their wake. And he had a feeling that the answer was in the hands of the Barrani; it was not a question that would make sense to the Tha’alani. To the Tha’alanari, possibly.

What had Random shown Ybelline? Random had been unwilling to discuss it with Severn; she had left that in Ybelline’s hands, which left the decision of whether or not to share in Ybelline’s hands as well.

Elluvian wanted to see the contents of Severn’s newly acquired pack. Severn glanced at Ybelline, but the Tha’alani’s eyes were still closed. The decision, regardless, was his: Severn was a Wolf. Elluvian was The Wolf. Being Barrani, he was unlikely to share his conclusions, even if he agreed to do so.

But Elluvian’s understanding of the difficulties of this case were greater by far than Severn’s. Or rather, his understanding of the Barrani elements. Severn undid the strings that closed the top of the bag. He then withdrew each of Random’s gifts, one at a time, starting with the sculptures.

The first was that of the man called, by Tessa, Ollarin, and logged in the request book as Sennarin. Severn handed it to Elluvian without comment. Without expression. He watched the Barrani Wolf, noting in particular the shift in eye color.

The eyes were indigo, not the gold that, in Barrani, denoted surprise or shock. Elluvian had expected to see this sculpture.

“This man identified himself as Ollarin.”

Elluvian’s eyes met Severn’s before returning to the statue.

“Ollarin visited the Oracular Halls.”

“Not under that name.”

“Not many of my kin would take the risk of lying in the Oracular Halls.”

“Why not?”

“Lies have a way of being discovered—and not in a way that one can easily recover from. The