The Wolflord had words to say, and given they were in his domain, those words were heard. But hearing the words changed nothing; he was not Ybelline’s commander.
He was, however, Severn’s. He made clear to Severn in no uncertain terms just how unhappy he would be if Ybelline Rabon came to any injury at all. He didn’t attempt to order Severn to remain.
It was thirty minutes before the Wolflord grudgingly allowed them to leave. An’Tellarus appeared to have chosen to find him amusing rather than insulting, and Ybelline was accustomed to him. She made no attempt to stop him from speaking his angry piece.
They didn’t leave the Halls of Law through the front doors. A carriage was waiting for them in the coach yard. It wasn’t an Imperial carriage; it was too delicate in appearance for that, and lacked the crest of the Eternal Emperor. Elluvian gave the crest that did exist across the narrow doors a look of wary disgust.
In some fashion, Severn thought, the Barrani Wolf trusted An’Tellarus. For no other Barrani Lord would he have exposed such open disdain. Ybelline entered the carriage first, followed by An’Tellarus, who invited Severn to follow before Elluvian had been seated.
Elluvian found this mildly irritating.
Severn, however, held the door for a long beat before Elluvian seated himself. Severn then joined them.
The ride was not silent. An’Tellarus, seated across from Ybelline, began to speak. “I do not believe a Tha’alani of any rank has visited the High Halls before. Very little warning has, of course, been given to the people who dwell within.”
Ybelline nodded. “It is why I wished to visit as quickly as possible.”
“Very little, of course, is not none. I am watched—we are all watched—by rivals, enemies, and even allies. Perhaps especially allies. Rivals and enemies make no promises and therefore cannot betray you. I do not know what the topic of discussion will or might be—as I said, this is, to my knowledge, unprecedented. It has been some time since I have spent so long in the High Halls, but my information sources are generally good. I would not expect your visit to go unnoticed.”
Ybelline nodded again.
“Were the meeting to occur on neutral ground—the High Halls will never be neutral—none of this would be necessary. I would, with your permission, avail myself of the arcane arts and alter your appearance. Alterations of that nature are possible in the High Halls, but they will draw more attention.”
“Not more than her race will naturally draw,” Elluvian said.
An’Tellarus inclined her head. “I am certain that any panic her presence might cause will be allayed by my presence at her side.”
“How were you chosen as her personal guard?”
She smiled indulgently at Severn. “That is a question I will never answer to those outside of my household. Do you consider it a reasonable question?”
Severn met, and held, her gaze. “I consider it a practical question,” he finally said.
“How so? In what way is it practical, given your audience? It might be considered dangerous or foolish, but practical? No.”
“You will either answer, or you will not. If you do not answer, it means that you consider an answer disadvantageous. Or you consider the person asking beneath you.”
“And the offense I might take at the question?”
“The question would be offensive to you if the association was one you wished to remain in shadows. You’ve already declared your support—your recent support—for An’Sennarin. I am not familiar with the factions at court; I do not know if your connection to An’Sennarin is of value to him. I assume it must be.”
“But you are not so clear on the advantage I gain?”
“In that circumstance, I wouldn’t be.”
Her brows rose. “You can see an advantage for me in the association? It is very,veryseldom that I am asked to serve as messenger and bodyguard.”
“The advantage must be strong indeed,” Elluvian added.
“Do not interrupt me,” An’Tellarus snapped.
Severn and Ybelline exchanged a weary glance; it was followed by very slight smiles as they realized they had had the same thoughts about squabbling in the carriage.
An’Tellarus, however, said, “Do not relax yet. I have more information to convey before we reach our destination, and we will not exit my carriage until that information has been delivered.”
Severn didn’t approach the entrance of the High Halls as a Wolf. As he was already in the presence of An’Tellarus and Ybelline, the subtle warning a tabard provided would be irrelevant. Ybelline would draw all attention. No Barrani who was breathing could possibly consider a Tha’alani’s death a crime subject to caste court exemptions. Severn was beneath notice. He fell into step beside Elluvian, aware that their strides now matched. Aware that they were now here as An’Tellarus’s servants or aides in the eyes of most of the witnesses.
The halls weren’t as empty as they had been either of the times Severn had previously visited. People gathered by alcoves and beneath works of art; they talked in small pockets, their eyes blue as Ybelline walked past them, although he caught hints of a brighter gold in some. She wore no hood, made no attempt to hide her race. Once or twice she turned to speak a few words to An’Tellarus, but none of those words made enough sound that Severn could hear them.