Well, no. Maybe a bit of it was intimidating Teela. Or making clear to Teela where Tellarus’s interests were currently aligned, well before hostilities could begin. It couldn’t be meeting Kaylin.
She was interested in you, Severn said. This surprised Kaylin. Something about both An’Tellarus and Yvonne had beenlocked away with a giantdo not entersign hanging from the very closed fences. It’s not that she hadn’t—or didn’t—want to know. It’s that she didn’t want to be a hypocrite. Hypocrisy ranked high on her list of most-hated traits that were, in many cases, legal. There were too many things she didn’t want to talk about, either.
Is it because I’m Chosen?
Thathas tobe part of the reason. I’ve had reason to interact with An’Tellarus in the past; we’re acquainted. Our interests aligned; she’s capable of cooperation when it suits her purposes.
Do you have any idea what her purpose is?
Silence. It wasn’t a wall.No. But if she were so easily predicted, she would not be what she is. I think you’re right: she wanted Yvonne to be seen. She wanted Yvonne to be seen as part of Tellarus, and beholden to An’Tellarus herself.
So... warning Teela off.
I’m less certain about that. She let you go off with Yvonne; she didn’t wish me to join you.
Had she said that? Kaylin couldn’t remember that.
But I think you’re right. Yvonne was central to that summons.
... which means she must know about the test of the Lake.
Severn agreed.
Does this mean she knows about the Consort’s difficulty?
No. But it means she possibly could.
“Bellusdeo says I shouldn’t interrupt you because you’re wearing your thinking face, which is rare.”
Kaylin rolled her eyes.
“You have reached a conclusion, then?”
“Yes.” Kaylin turned her attention to Logia. “She’s letting you talk because she thinks I’ll be comfortable enough to let things slip.”
Logia laughed with what seemed genuine delight. “I did warn her,” she said.
The problem was: it was true. There was a little bit of Serralynin Logia. KaylinlikedBellusdeo. There was no other reason to offer her a home in Helen when the Imperial Palace grew too awkward, too fraught, for the gold Dragon. But Bellusdeo had always been prickly and temperamental; Logia seemed almost her exact opposite. Too comfortable.
But everything Logia heard, Bellusdeo would hear. And there was no guarantee that Logia would even think of keeping things to herself. Terrano didn’t—he probably couldn’t.
“Well, she listened enough that you’re here instead.”
Logia laughed again, but her expression sobered. “She’s been alone for a long time.”
Kaylin understood her meaning and tried not to feel irrelevant—Bellusdeo had been living with Kaylin, not on her own.
“And if it helps, she’s worried about you.”
“It really doesn’t.”
Logia looked faintly smug; Kaylin guessed that Logia had said this, as well. “Not all expressions of affection are welcome to the targets of that affection,” Logia said, as if confirming Kaylin’s suspicion. “But if we don’t get down to business, Bellusdeo will take over.”
Kaylin exhaled. “The only connection to Shadow that I’ve noted is in the avenue of retreat chosen by the Barrani—and Bellusdeo knows about this. There was evidence that the Barrani had been using the border between fiefs as their base. Teela’s been investigating that; we found Barrani insignias on some of the bodies left behind in the wake of the attack on Nightshade.
“Nothing else we’ve uncovered so far seems to involve Shadow.” Kaylin grimaced. “Except the attack on Terrano.”
“Terrano?”