The Dragon seemed nonplused. “I mean no disrespect,” she said, which was usually followed by something disrespectful, “butwisdomandKaylinare not generally put together in the same sentence. It would be similar to expecting wisdom from Terrano or Mandoran.”
“Hey!”
Alsanis considered this, and to the chagrin of the not-quite-Barrani and the mortal, he nodded. “It has been a very long time since I have had a Dragon as a guest.”
“I’m surprised you’re allowed to speak of it at all.”
“I am allowed,” he replied gravely, “to speak of anything that does not make the guests feel threatened or endangered. And even then, there is nothing in the words that define my existence that would prevent it. Were there, the Hallionne would be used for political purposes. We were created in part to make safe the spaces in which rivals or enemies might gather. You do not fear the war band.”
“Not really, no. Kaylin said that even on her first visit, half the Barrani chose to remain outside of the Hallionne’s boundaries. I don’t believe the war band will do anything but make noise at your doorstep; they must know they wouldn’t survive an attempt made against me while I am here.”
Alsanis bowed, but his eyes remained black, and his expression was troubled. He turned, then, to Terrano, although strictly speaking this wasn’t necessary. “The doorstep, as you call it, might not be the main thrust of the attack.”
Terrano said, “I’ll go.”
This time, no one stopped him.
* * *
“You don’t happen to know where he’s going?” Kaylin asked, after a minute had passed.
“Yes.”
Bellusdeo snorted; she was amused. “I believe she intends for you to share that information.”
“Ah. You will not be able to follow him; he has chosen to travel in haste.” He then transferred his gaze to Spike. “He could.”
Squawk.
“You are certain?”
Squawk squawk.
“Your familiar believes that I am incorrect; he believes he can facilitate your travel. I am uncertain, however, that this is wise.”
“Did you see what happened to Terrano’s friends?”
“No, Lord Kaylin.”
“But they didn’t try to return here.”
“No.”
Many things made no sense to Kaylin, but she focused on only one of them. The portal that had opened between one part of Orbaranne and her dining hall was part of Orbaranne, and it was there that Kaylin had heard Sedarias.
The Hallionne’s eyes lost their lids, literally; they disappeared. His face, his facial structure, seemed to shudder; a ripple made it look far more liquid than flesh of any kind should.
“Alsanis?” Kaylin was the only person in the room who rushed to the Avatar’s side. Without thought she reached out and placed both of her hands on his chest. The familiar did not seem to find this impressive.
“I am here,” the Hallionne replied; the words did not come from the Avatar’s mouth.
“What’s happening?”
He replied, but there were too many unfamiliar words in the answer to make any sense of it.
“If Terrano is doing something bad, I’m going to strangle him.”
“It would be difficult to strangle him,” the Hallionne said, unperturbed. “I believe the purpose of strangulation is to restrict the flow of air. Regardless, he is not doing something bad. He is, however, doing something that guests do not usually do.”