“Someone spoke to you?”
“Yes. When I was trying to find the way out. They told me I was going in the wrong direction.”
She turned toward Orbaranne, who was likewise standing. “What happened?”
“I am uncertain. How did you arrive?”
“I’m not talking about us. I’m talking about Teela’s companions. Were they headed here?”
There was a marked hesitation before Orbaranne said, “Yes.” Her eyes widened. “You did not learn of the incident from the Consort.”
“...No. We learned about it from Annarion and Mandoran.”
The Lord of the West March tensed. “How did you come to learn about this from them?”
“They live with me.” Her gaze narrowed.
“Your pardon again, Lord Kaylin. You have been remarkably silent since your departure. This is the first time I have heard your thoughts so clearly since you returned to Elantra.”
“But the name. The True Name...”
“Yes. But I do not hold your name; you hold mine. It is fine,” he added, to the Avatar. “I surrendered the name willingly, and all she has ever done with it is preserve my life.”
“My house doesn’t let a lot through her protections.” But Helen was willing, on occasion, to let Nightshade in, both literally and figuratively. Kaylin wondered why, then, and she didn’t like the immediately obvious answer, because there was no way anyone intelligent would trustNightshadeover this man.
The Consort bids me remind you, Ynpharion suddenly said,that the Lord of the West March is a power. You believe, because he would never have raised his standard against his brother’s, that he is decent and honorable. And measured against the rest of his kin, that is even possibly true.These last words were said with so much distaste it was a wonder he bothered at all.But heisa power. Very little occurs within the West March without his knowledge.
But not nothing, Kaylin shot back.
No. She is not saying that her brother is responsible for the mishap. She is, however, saying that she believes it is possible he could be.
Can’t she just ask him?
Yes.
And?
She would have to do it through the regular channels. She has been attempting to contact him since word of the possible disappearance was carried to her. He has failed to reply.
Maybe he’s too busy because he considers it an emergency?
There are very few emergencies that would cause him to deliberately ignore his sister. Or so she believes.
You believe it, too.
Yes, perhaps. My life would be immeasurably more comfortable if you were not in it, but the Lady would find your death or disappearance unexpectedly upsetting. Therefore, treat your life as if it has value.
Kaylin really disliked Ynpharion.
“Your house?”
“Yes. Her name is Helen. She’s not a Hallionne; for one she’s much smaller. But she’s as close to Hallionne as any building I’ve ever lived in.”
“Are you perhaps living in afortelesse?”
Kaylin shot a glance at Bellusdeo, who shrugged. It was a High Barrani word, given inflection and pronunciation, but Kaylin had never heard it before.
“I would say yes,” Orbaranne interjected. “But if so, the nature of the building is unusual.”