Candallar had stiffened. This wasn’t a surprise; Barrani reacted poorly to condescension aimed at themselves. He didn’t dignify her question with an answer.
“You do not recognize them individually, or perhaps you do not understand the significance of one of our visitors.”
He did turn then; when he turned back, his eyes were almost black. “You brought the female Dragonhere?”
Sedarias, however, said, “You are a fool. Perhaps my brother and his subordinates found you useful—but in my experience fools are a double-edged weapon that cannot be relied upon in a battle.”
“Get ready to move,” Terrano said.
“Why?”
“Because as far as I can tell, heisinterim chancellor. It’s the only possible way he could be here at all.”
“Can you stay here?” Kaylin said.
“I can—but it won’t be safe if he decides we don’t have permission.”
“Why?”
“Enough.”Candallar lifted the arm that held the rod; for a moment, Kaylin could see a flash of something that looked very like green fire flare in a circle in the center of the fieflord’s chest.
Terrano didn’t answer.
Or perhaps she couldn’t hear the answer; she blinked once and found herself in an entirely familiar room.
She wasn’t alone.
Bellusdeo and Sedarias were with her. The Arkon, however, was not. The room itself was large enough to house an angry Bellusdeo in full Draconic form; it was the room in which they had first entered Killian’s domain. The statues that had once been carved reliefs took up more of the room than they once had, but Bellusdeo’s presence did not destroy any of them.
Candallar is the interim chancellor, Kaylin said—to both Severn and Nightshade. Neither seemed surprised.
You expected that, surely?Nightshade asked.
She nodded, although he couldn’t see it.We’re in the statuary that we first encountered when it wasn’t a statuary. It reminds me of your throne room. We need to get back to the library.
That will be challenging, Nightshade said.
The Arkon wasn’t ejected with the rest of us.
You suffer from two misapprehensions, the fieflord said.You feel that because the Arkon is so old, he is weaker than Bellusdeo. And you believe that because he is a scholar, he is less familiar with combat. You know his history. You know that he fought in the wars. You have heard—briefly—that he was honored for his skill as a warrior.
But he’s alone—
No, Kaylin, he is not. I believe the reason he was not removed instantly from the library is that he could not be: he was carrying and protecting the tomes that serve as portals for the Arbiters. The Arbiters cannot leave the library.
Starrante is—
Yes. But according to Killianas, he is struggling against the imperatives the chancellor has laid upon him, and he is not nearly so much of a power as he would otherwise be should he join his two comrades in combat.
Do you know where Starrante is now?
I believe you will find him soon. Tell Lord Bellusdeo that it is best—for you—if she takes the lead.She could feel the frown settle in the corner of his lips.Where is your familiar?
He’s...probably in the library—with Terrano and the Arkon. Terrano is kind of slippery when it comes to buildings, and the Arkon is holding the Arbiters’ books.
She turned to her companions, but Bellusdeo had shifted into her armored human form, and she had headed immediately for the nearest door. That door led to the endless maze of hallway. Sedarias glanced at Kaylin.
“Your familiar?”