Hope bit Kaylin’s ear. “We’re going to join Terrano, if that’s okay with you.”
“Strangling your familiar would quite probably be even less successful than strangling Terrano.”
* * *
Kaylin moved. Bellusdeo followed.
Around them, the halls of the Hallionne flowed, changing shape between the heavy steps of a running Hawk and an armored Dragon. Alsanis had widened the halls, granting silent permission for Bellusdeo to go full Dragon; for the moment, she chose to refrain.
What’s happening outside?Kaylin asked Lirienne as she ran.
Three men in full armor have approached the Hallionne. There are another forty beyond the Hallionne’s perimeter. The leader of the war band,he added,is Lord Barian’s mother.
Kaylin let loose with a volley of Leontine.
The Warden, however, does not seem to have been aware of her plans.
You’re certain?
Yes.He didn’t elaborate.This is not a good time for my sister to travel.
Please don’t think I have any control over what your sister does, or does not, do. She’s far more likely to listen to you, if she can hear you.
You misunderstand.
Your sister has already left Elantra. I assume she intends to come to the West March.
He didn’t ask her how she knew, and she didn’t volunteer; she was fairly certain he could guess, and if he couldn’t, Ynpharion would possibly be just a little less disgusted than he normally was.
She turned sharply left and almost fell off the floor. The floor, however, righted itself, and stairs formed a yard away from where she skidded—with the help of a wall—to a stop.
She cannot interfere here—
I think she probably can. Unless you want to tell her to stop, because I don’t. She’s only barely forgiven me for the last big argument we had—and I’m not having another one unless it’s about the literal end of the world.Which pretty much summed up the previous argument.
She will not be coming overland. She will take the portal paths.
But—but that’s how we lost the cohort!
Yes. And Kaylin, I believe the conspiracy that aided Terrano and his friends in their bid to escape the Hallionne the first time must still be active. Their goals at the time were unclear, but we can assume that their goals and the goals of the cohort overlapped. But they will now have some experience—
I know. They might have learned from their mistakes.
Yes. I am uncertain as to what they might have learned. Regardless, if the Consort does arrive, she will arrive at the portal gates.
* * *
“I don’t think I’ve heard you swear quite so much. Ever.”
“Lirienne thinks the Consort is coming by the portal paths.”
“The portal paths on which the cohort disappeared?”
“The same.” Even as she spoke, the ground—which had resembled stone beneath both of their feet—began to soften; the air thickened. “Is something on fire? Alsanis?”
“No. Alsanis is just upset.” That was Terrano. Kaylin couldn’t see him. “I’ve come back for the Shadow. What did you call him?”
“Spike. He didn’t seem to notice.”