Ybelline could do so as well. But she was Tha’alani. To work in constant, unbroken isolation was not possible for any length of time. Or perhaps at all. To the Tha’alanari, then, those chosen to bear the burden of privacy and separation, she remained an open book.
Will you do as Helmat has asked?
Garadin could feel her hesitance, her reluctance.Severn is human. Humans value privacy, because it is all they have ever known. I don’t want to break him.
Garadin’s voice was joined by Scoros’s.You will not break him.
You are so certain, teacher?
It has been long since I’ve had anything to teach you, Scoros replied, warmth and disapproval blending perfectly in his tone.But I see what you see. I hear what you hear. Both before you touched him, and after. I understand your concern—but Ybelline, he is not broken now.
Humans are fragile.
Some, yes, but is that not true of the people as well? Most of our people are fragile; it is why the Tha’alanari exists. Think of pain and hurt as physical ailments. Our people find healing in each other, and that healing is constant. This boy’s people don’t have that, but humans do heal.
If a leg is broken, and the injured person tries to walk or run, it worsens the injury.
Yes, yes. Do you think his leg is broken?
I don’t know.
You are the only one present who can answer that question, and there is no answer without risk.
I’m worried for him.
Yes. But Ybelline, it is when youcannotbe worried for the person you interrogate that you must stop.
The Imperial Service doesn’t worry.
No. But they are not Tha’alanari. We are. I will concede, however, that he seems an unusual boy.
He is no longer a boy, Scoros.
You are a mere slip of child, to me. I do not think you will do the harm you fear to do; you have his permission. And permission, child, is everything. Continuing without it is the greatest harm to you, to us, that can be done in the end.
Throughout this, Severn had been silent.Can I ask a question?
Clearly, Scoros replied.
I’m worried for her.
We areallworried for her. Are you worried enough to abandon the possibility of becoming a Wolf?
Yes, if it comes to that. I’ve never dreamed of being a Wolf. I wouldn’t have come here on my own. Elluvian brought me.
And you want to be a Wolf, do you?Scoros, with as much forbearance as he usually demonstrated, had taken over the conversation.
I want to have a reason to be in the Halls of Law.
Do you understand the Wolves that stand in Shadow?
They’re assassins.
Yes, that’s exactly what they are. Do not, however, use the word when speaking with Helmat. It annoys him.
Scoros,Ybelline broke in,that is unfair.
Helmat believes there’s a difference because Helmathas tobelieve there’s a difference. But my jaundiced eyes can’t see one.