“And what do you now suspect?”
“That somewhere around the same time—twenty years ago, maybe twenty-one—someone Barrani did interact with the Tha’alani.”
“The Tha’alani would not willingly touch an Immortal. While it is not strictly speaking illegal for such contact to be made, no member of the Tha’alanari would condone it.”
“So Records say. It would require Imperial permission—if the Tha’alani in question were a member of the Tha’alanari, the organization that serves the Emperor directly. The laws of exemption, in the case of the Tha’alani, make clear that—”
Helmat, who knew this quite well, held up a staying hand, and Severn fell silent. It was a pity that such a gesture didn’t have the same effect on Elluvian.
“You have the makings of an excellent Hawk,” Helmat told Severn. “Which is a pity—for them. You believe that somewhere, in the Tha’alaan, there are the memories of someone Barrani?”
“I think it a high possibility. And I think the murders themselves were meant to overwhelm the Tha’alaan so completely, any notice of that would be submerged by horror and fear. But I don’t understand entirely how the Tha’alaan works. I don’t understand how the Tha’alanari work. I believe Ybelline could explain both.”
“Do you feel it’s necessary? You went to the High Halls with Elluvian yesterday. Elluvian feels he has the case in hand. Do you not believe him?”
“I’m not certain that the Emperor’s Laws are enacted by feelings.”
Helmat’s laugh was an explosive bark. “You haven’t discussed this with Elluvian.”
“No. I told him only that I wished to visit the Tha’alani quarter, and he said I would require permission.”
“I might be moved to grant that permission if you detail your day as Elluvian’s escort.”
“He hasn’t reported?”
“He has. The report was absent details.”
“No one attempted to injure—or kill him. We met with Lord Corvallan and Lord Cassandre.” Severn paused. Helmat recognized the names, although technically the Wolves did not involve themselves with the Barrani except at Imperial command. “He told them that the Barrani man seen at the edge of the crowd during one of these murders was also a Lord of the High Court.”
“Absentmanydetails. This is not good news.”
Severn said nothing.
Helmat, however, was not Barrani. There were subtleties Elluvian missed that Helmat did not. The Wolflord’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t believe Elluvian was telling them the truth.”How will you deal with this, Severn?
“I believe,” Severn said, without hesitation, “that Elluvian believes the Lord in question—”
“Which lord?”
“An’Sennarin.”
Helmat cursed. “Continue.”
“Elluvian believes An’Sennarin is responsible for the deaths, or rather, for commanding that they take place. I don’t believe that An’Sennarin was personally present and implicated by mortal memories, but he allowed the two Lords to believe that he was.”
“Did they believe it?”
Severn shrugged. “They were upset—or unsettled—enough that it was hard for me to tell.”
Fair enough. “I think I will partner Elluvian with you for future visits to the High Halls. You at least returned alive.” Helmat turned to the mirror on his desk. “Imperial Service,” he said. “You will not have Elluvian’s company for your visit to the Tha’alani quarter.”
Severn didn’t point out that the permission hadn’t yet been granted. Nor did he seem at all uncomfortable with the lack of Elluvian.
“Before you leave I have one piece of advice.”
Severn, who had not yet turned toward the office door, nodded.
“Do not get personally involved in crimes. Your job—our job—is to follow the Emperor’s command. Each crime, and each criminal, has been examined by Imperial judicial process. Do not place any of your own ego in the outcome.”