“Are you operating under the orders of the Imperial Court?”
At this, Bellusdeo smiled. “Would that be more convenient for the Hawks?”
For the first time in a while, Kaylin saw Marcus’s eyes lighten to near gold in a Dragon’s presence. “The Imperial Court trumps the Hawklord, yes.”
“Very well. I have some experience with Shadow and the catastrophic nature of events when all protections fail. I am, therefore, considered the resident expert. I am capable of withstanding the attacks of even the most powerful of Shadows for a prolonged period of time, and it is very difficult for Shadow to transform or change a Dragon. I am the agent who would be sent in such investigations.”
“You’ll make your report to the Court?”
She glanced pointedly at the piles that comprised the surface of Marcus’s desk. “I will.”
“Good. The corporals have been pulled off the Elani beat while the Candallar discussion and investigation is ongoing. I expect them to be back on their beat within three days at the outside, including this one.”
“Three days?” Kaylin failed to stop the words from leaving her mouth, partly because it was open.
“The fiefs are outside the remit of the Halls of Law. Your investigations might be relevant to some of the events that occur within Elantra, but we are not empowered to enforce Imperial Laws within any fief that is not Tiamaris.”
“We’re not empowered to enforce those laws in Tiamaris, either.”
Marcus said nothing. It was a loud nothing.
Chapter 11
“Did I miss something?” Kaylin demanded of Tain, who had the misfortune to be at his desk. Teela was absent—probably because she’d seen Bellusdeo enter the office in armor. Marcus could be noisy when he was surprised.
“Probably.”
“Did Ironjaw just say we have permission to enforceImperial Lawin the fief of Tiamaris?”
“You’re going to have to ask him. Or look at the duty roster.”
“He’s aDragon, Tain. He’s afieflord. Why in the hells would he give up his sovereignty?”
“Because he’s also a member of the Imperial Court, and he owes his allegiance to the Emperor.” Tain shrugged. “It’s politics and diplomacy.”
“Wait, back up a bit.”
“To where? Mortal memory is bad, but it’s not that bad.”
“Duty roster?”
“I don’t believe your current rounds of duty are being affected.”
“In thefiefs?”
Tain shrugged. “Don’t give me that look. I wasn’t asked for my opinion, and the meeting in which it was discussed occurred when we were all visiting the scenic High Halls.”
Tiamaris had mentioned nothing. Kaylin, disgruntled, rejoined Bellusdeo.
“I don’t understand what the problem is,” Bellusdeo said. “Tiamaris has made clear, from the moment he took control of the Tower, that Imperial Law and its norms were to be observed—with a few exceptions—within the borders of Tiamaris. I believe it is essential if he wishes to integrate his fief with the greater city as a whole. Fill in your report, and we’ll head home. I have a few things I wish to discuss with both Maggaron and Helen.”
“Why Maggaron?”
Bellusdeo’s smile was far too sweet. “TheNorannirwould make excellent Hawks, in my opinion.”
“Helen has no say in that!”
“No, of course not. I wish to discuss other things with Helen.”