“He knew.”
“He knew that Tessa had come before?”
Random nodded. “I think you can take those with you, now. I think they’ll hold their form and shape.” She extricated her hand from Severn’s, rose, and turned toward Ybelline. Ybelline had already opened both of her arms, and Random walked into them, walked into her, as if she hoped to meld there permanently.
She was crying.
“I need to borrow something to carry them in,” Severn began.
“There’s a bag under the bench. One of my friends made it for me. He gave it to me two days ago. It’s for you. You don’t have to bring it back.”
Ybelline’s arms were around Random, as words were dissolved by tears. Severn took the figurines, the small tableau, and the sketches. He packed them as carefully as he could, given lack of preparation, and when he was done, he looked at Random’s back. He couldn’t see Ybelline’s face; she had, once again, drawn Random into the Tha’alaan.
Severn almost wished he could join them, and that was a new and disturbing thought.
Master Sabrai might have given Random free rein within the confines of her workshop, but he was clearly concerned. The drink he had offered Elluvian had not kept him from standing outside Random’s door with two of the guards. Elluvian was not with him.
The much older Sabrai glared balefully at the pack Severn had shouldered.
“Random thought it was important that I take these things with me,” he said.
“Random is not the Master of the Oracular Halls. I am.”
Severn nodded and waited.
Master Sabrai’s glare didn’t change. “What did Random give you?”
“Three carved figurines,” Severn replied. He noted that Master Sabrai winced.
“Three?”
“Yes. If you want to inspect the contents, you can. There are also sketches. She seemed to think I would need or want everything she made.”
“Whoareyou?”
“Severn Handred of the Halls of Law.”
“Which branch?”
He already knew. Severn was certain of it. But he understood that words weren’t always meant to communicate actual information. “The Wolves. I believe you’ve spoken with Lord Marlin.”
“What did she tell you?”
Severn shook his head.
“Why is the Tha’alani still in the workshop?”
“Random had more she wanted to say.” Severn exhaled. “And I have a few questions, as well.”
“I am not necessarily at liberty to answer them.”
Lack of answers was still a form of information.
“How much longer will the Tha’alani be with Random?”
“I imagine for as long as Random wants.”
The guards looked as concerned as their master, but the master now turned. “Fine. Come to my office.”