Before Severn could speak, Ybelline continued.Corvallan has some connections with a man known as Teremaine.
You think the Barrani that reopened this investigation is Teremaine?
We think it very likely, yes. He is not a lord of the court. His name has appeared multiple times in Imperial Service Records; he has never—until now—fallen afoul of caste court exemptions. His value to any of the lords with whom he has connections depends on his ability to remain within those laws of exemption.
He hasn’t.
No—but that was not known until very recently.
Is it known now?
You are afraid there is someone who informs the High Court, or members of it.
Yes. I think, given the deaths of the witnesses we wanted to interview, there’s a leak in the Halls of Law.
The Halls of Law and the Imperial Service are not the same; there is some overlap, but that overlap exists at the Emperor’s discretion.Ybelline exhaled.The Halls of Law exists as an entity almost separate from the Emperor. The oaths you take are to uphold the Emperor’s Laws. The Imperial Service does not take the same oaths you take.
They serve the Emperor directly.
They serve the Emperor directly. It is why there is conflict between the Halls of Law and the Service. It is therefore entirely possible—even probable—that the leak in question exists only in the Halls of Law.
The Barrani Hawks?
That is the most probable, but no. Money, favors, extortion will affect anyone who works in the Halls. The Halls of Law are examining all Records and all Records access even as we speak. The leak itself will be found.
Severn nodded, although he wasn’t as certain.Did the man Tessa called Ollarin come to visit Random?
Yes.
After Tessa’s second visit?
Yes.
Severn exhaled.What oracle did Random give to Tessa when they first met?
A warning, was the bitter reply.A warning I understand only now, and Tessa did not understand fully until it was far too late for her.
Ybelline.
I know. But you understand far better than I the weight of, the pressure of, guilt. Give me a few minutes to attempt to set it aside.
You understand what happened.
I understand what I think happened. I am not certain—I cannot be yet.
Random’s oracle?
It was—Ybelline was silent now. Severn allowed it. Her first comment when she once again engaged seemed to have nothing to do with the question Severn had asked.
You are aware that the entirety of the Empire is comprised of different races.
Severn nodded.
And there are obvious differences between them. The Tha’alanari have the distinguishing antennae; the Leontines have fur and fangs; the Aerians have wings.
Yes.
We are all mortal.