En chuckled, fully aware of Helmat’s baleful gaze, which was aimed at the side of the Barrani’s face.
This time, when Ybelline turned back to the Wolflord, her eyes were almost gold; they were darker, more hazel, but this was natural for Ybelline. “You neglected to ask.”
“It wasn’t necessary,” Helmat replied almost stiffly. “You don’t trust me; you don’t trust my kin. You don’t trust the various Imperial branches of law and security. Nor will I tell you you are wrong, given your context, your experience.
“But Ybelline, I trust the Tha’alanari. It is not to determine the truth of simple statements that you have been summoned. Garadin understands this,” he added.
“Garadin,” she replied, “is almost shocked to hear you say that.” But she smiled as she turned once again to Severn.
“He shouldn’t be. It is, in effect, a more complete interrogation. If young Severn cannot handle it at all, he will never be a Wolf. We are, and will be, in your hands.”
“Have you explained at least that much?”
“No,” Severn said, before Helmat could reply. “I think this was meant to be a test.”
“A test?”
“If I run away screaming—silently,” he added, “I will have failed. If I’m afraid of my life and my truth—”
“Are you not?”
“I don’t want to relive it. Is that what you’re asking?” When she failed to reply, he continued, “I believe what I did was necessary. I hate it,” he added, voice softer. “But I’d do it again if I had to.”
“Are you not afraid to be judged?”
He closed his eyes, which was an answer, but opened them again. “Is that what you’re here to do?”
“In a practical sense, yes.”
He did not retrieve his hand.
“I require your permission,” she continued.
Not everyone who came to Helmat’s office passed this test; perhaps a third fled the Halls. One or two of those people made their way to the Swords or the Hawks, but once they crossed the threshold of this office, they were no longer his concern.
“Can I ask a question?” Severn then said, his voice steady.
“Of course.”
“What is it that hurts you, when you look at us?” The Tha’alani stiffened. “You don’t have to answer, if it’s a bad question.”
“It is...not a question I am usually asked. Not by applicants, and not by those who grace the Imperial prisons. Why do you ask?”
This time, Severn seemed more nervous, and Helmat realized with chagrin that it was not Ybelline he was wary of, but Helmat himself. But he steeled himself to answer. “I know what you’ll see. Iamme. But I don’t know whether or not it will hurt you. Lord Marlin believes it will.”
“And if I believe that it will?”
“I won’t let you do it. Because I have that choice.”
“Even if I don’t believe it will?”
“You haven’t seen it yet,” Severn reasoned. “I think I know what you’ll see.”
“I do not believe I am allowed to discuss what...hurts us. Hurts me. Helmat?”
“There are no legal guidelines, but the specifics of any given case are, of course, confidential. If Severn were a Wolf, you would have my permission, for what that’s worth; he’s not.”
She looked frustrated; she looked, momentarily, her actual age. “I don’t believe, given the question you have asked, you will hurt me. But Severn, if you do, it’s a pain I have undertaken willingly.”