The Emperor's Wolves (Wolves of Elantra #1) - Michelle Sagara Page 0,22
you, and your home, to ash if the services of such people are not surrendered.”
“And are you telling me that the Tha’alanari is created by conscription?”
Garadin, whose face, larger than life and green-eyed, remained upon the wall, said, “She is not. Lord Marlin, today is not the day for your games, your political sleight of hand.”
“It is not a game to me. It has never been a game.” But he stopped.
Severn stepped past Helmat to offer Ybelline his right hand, as if her antennae did not exist and she were a lovely older woman, due a measure of politeness.
Ybelline seemed surprised by this, but it was perhaps the surprise that she needed at the moment, and Helmat could otherwise give her nothing: no aid, no help, no protection. He remained silent but realized belatedly that his hands were clasped behind his back. He corrected this, although En had noticed.
“Do you understand what I am here to do?” Ybelline asked the youth, her head tilted to study their joined hands as if she were translating between a language she had studied and learned and her mother tongue.
“You are here,” Severn replied, a tremor gilding the words, “to look at me and my past and to confirm—or deny—the truth.”
She nodded. “You’ve told Lord Marlin the truth?”
“He hasn’t actually asked.”
En chuckled, fully aware of Helmat’s baleful gaze, which was aimed at the side of the Barrani’s face.
This time, when Ybelline turned back to the Wolflord, her eyes were almost gold; they were darker, more hazel, but this was natural for Ybelline. “You neglected to ask.”
“It wasn’t necessary,” Helmat replied almost stiffly. “You don’t trust me; you don’t trust my kin. You don’t trust the various Imperial branches of law and security. Nor will I tell you you are wrong, given your context, your experience.
“But Ybelline, I trust the Tha’alanari. It is not to determine the truth of simple statements that you have been summoned. Garadin understands this,” he added.
“Garadin,” she replied, “is almost shocked to hear you say that.” But she smiled as she turned once again to Severn.
“He shouldn’t be. It is, in effect, a more complete interrogation. If young Severn cannot handle it at all, he will never be a Wolf. We are, and will be, in your hands.”
“Have you explained at least that much?”
“No,” Severn said, before Helmat could reply. “I think this was meant to be a test.”
“A test?”
“If I run away screaming—silently,” he added, “I will have failed. If I’m afraid of my life and my truth—”
“Are you not?”
“I don’t want to relive it. Is that what you’re asking?” When she failed to reply, he continued, “I believe what I did was necessary. I hate it,” he added, voice softer. “But I’d do it again if I had to.”
“Are you not afraid to be judged?”
He closed his eyes, which was an answer, but opened them again. “Is that what you’re here to do?”
“In a practical sense, yes.”
He did not retrieve his hand.
“I require your permission,” she continued.
Not everyone who came to Helmat’s office passed this test; perhaps a third fled the Halls. One or two of those people made their way to the Swords or the Hawks, but once they crossed the threshold of this office, they were no longer his concern.
“Can I ask a question?” Severn then said, his voice steady.
“Of course.”
“What is it that hurts you, when you look at us?” The Tha’alani stiffened. “You don’t have to answer, if it’s a bad question.”
“It is...not a question I am usually asked. Not by applicants, and not by those who grace the Imperial prisons. Why do you ask?”
This time, Severn seemed more nervous, and Helmat realized with chagrin that it was not Ybelline he was wary of, but Helmat himself. But he steeled himself to answer. “I know what you’ll see. I am me. But I don’t know whether or not it will hurt you. Lord Marlin believes it will.”
“And if I believe that it will?”
“I won’t let you do it. Because I have that choice.”
“Even if I don’t believe it will?”
“You haven’t seen it yet,” Severn reasoned. “I think I know what you’ll see.”
“I do not believe I am allowed to discuss what...hurts us. Hurts me. Helmat?”
“There are no legal guidelines, but the specifics of any given case are, of course, confidential. If Severn were a Wolf, you would have my permission, for what that’s worth; he’s not.”
She looked frustrated; she looked, momentarily, her actual age. “I don’t believe, given the question you have asked, you