Kaylin’s hands grew cold.
But if you will not, you will not. I have made time in the garden to receive you tomorrow. I have been informed that you have duties to the Halls of Law with which I should not interfere. Were the situation not so unstable, I would arrange a meeting that does not overlap with that work. I cannot.
I have carved out time in the morning, perhaps an hour after sunrise. I have informed the High Lord of your imminent visit; his guards will be aware of your presence.
I look forward to your company on the morrow.
Kaylin looked at Mandoran.
“Bad news?”
“Uncertain.”
Mandoran’s expression made clear he didn’t consider this uncertain. It was bad news. “It wouldreallysimplify all of our lives if we could just let you join us. What’s in the letter?”
“The Consort has either invited or commanded my presence in the High Halls.”
It is a command, Ynpharion said, voice stiff with his usual annoyance.But congratulations for even being aware of that fact.
“Teela’s on her way.” Mandoran’s eyes lightened as he spoke.
“Did you tell her about the Consort’s invitation?”
“I didn’t attempt to keep it from her, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Ugh. “The Consort believes I shouldn’t attend the High Halls with Teela. Or Sedarias. Or probably anyone obviously associated with her.”
“She’s not telling you to go alone, surely?”
“It’s okay if I bring Severn. It’s okay if I show up wearing the Hawks’ tabard—she thinks it might be better, because it’ll remind people that the Halls of Law exist, and our deaths would prevent laws of exemption from being called.”
“Not that that would doyouany good.”
Kaylin shrugged. “It comes with the job. I won’t be sent to the Halls of Law for that job, so the tabard is partly a lie. Which reminds me. I need to clear my unexpected absence with my sergeant.”
Helen prepared the mirror room.
“I have taken the liberty of contacting the Arkon,” Helen said. “While I understand your request was meant for your sergeant, I believe the Arkon will expedite your appointment—and you are less likely to suffer loss of pay.”
Helen’s mirror changed from day to day. Tara’s mirror in the fief of Tiamaris didn’t: it was a still, small pond. A ripple could destroy the mirror image. She, like Helen, was deeply suspiciousof the mirror network; she considered it a large security risk. But she was practical. She knew that much of her lord’s life—as Kaylin’s—relied on that mirror network. It was faster than courier or in-person discussion if the person one needed to reach was halfway across the city.
Today, Helen’s mirror resembled the long, wide standing mirror in the Hawklord’s Tower. Sanabalis appeared across the mirror’s surface.
“I have been informed,” he said, eyes orange, “that this is an important or urgent communication. Thank you, Helen,” he added, although he was staring at Kaylin.
Kaylin exhaled. “The Consort has... invited me to visit her in the High Halls.”
“I see. Given our current concerns, that is of interest.”
“Tomorrow.”
Sanabalis blinked. “Tomorrow?”
“I’m to attend her tomorrow. During the earliest hours of my work day.”
“Ah. I see. You wish me to make clear to your sergeant that I have called in your services. Will you require your partner?”
“Yes. She suggests that I visit kitted out as a Hawk.”