Annarion was not in the foyer when Kaylin reached it. She wasn’t certain where he was, but didn’t ask. Nightshade, An’Tellarus, and Teela were in the foyer, and Helen hadn’t moved any of the bodies. She hadn’t cleaned up the blood, either.
Teela’s head turned toward Kaylin in her very green dress as she made her way down the stairs, both shoulders occupied. She noted Yvonne’s presence behind Kaylin and nodded in the young woman’s direction.
“What have you done this time?” she demanded, her eyes the color of midnight, but lightening into wary blue as she saw Kaylin was uninjured.
“I don’t think this one is entirely on me.”
“And that new shoulder ornament?”
“Definitely not entirely on me. In fact, if I was going to waste time pointing fingers, I’d say Barrani, Terrano, and—I’m sorry—Yvonne, in that order. With a large component of the green thrown in.” She glanced at her dress very pointedly. “The Teller’s crown,” she added, looking past Teela to Nightshade, “is sitting in your room on the bedside table.”
“It is not yet time for theregalia,” he replied, his tone very subdued. Her eyes narrowed. If he had been fighting—and he had—he had no obvious injuries, but he was the wrong kind of pale.
Oh. That was probably why Annarion had raised his voice. “I’d say it’s time for rest and recuperation.”
“Yes, dear,” Helen agreed. “Lord Nightshade felt it premature. He wishes to speak with the two who are currently detained before he returns to his rooms.”
Kaylin glanced past the fieflord to the most intimidating of her guests. An’Tellarus’s dress was wet with blood. The cloth had actually been cut at the sleeve, and the left side, near her ribs. She had chosen to sheathe her weapon. Her eyes were blue, but they weren’t as dark a blue as Nightshade’s.
“Yvonne,” she said.
“I wasn’t attacked. Nothing entered the room I was in.”
“Good. I would have been highly displeased were that not the case. I must say your hospitality is refreshing and slightly nostalgic. Helen, if you would be so kind as to provide repairs to my clothing while I am visiting, I would greatly appreciate it. While I have attended events wearing bloodstained clothing, I chose to do so to make a point, and I believe that point is unnecessary in this gathering.
“I believe,” she added, turning to Teela, “we have much to discuss. While I am certain that I was not the intended target, I believe I am slightly offended that I could be so easily overlooked.” She grinned. It seemed disturbingly genuine.
Helen’s Avatar appeared in the foyer. “An’Teela, may I now remove the bodies?”
“I don’t think they bother An’Tellarus,” Teela replied, “and I’d like a chance to examine them more carefully.” Which meant no.
Helen turned to Kaylin.
“It’s Hawk work,” she said. “And there may be some clues on the bodies. We’ll have to interrogate the prisoners, but the corpses might serve as confirmation of either truth or lie. Teela?”
Teela nodded.
“You might as well start now,” An’Tellarus said. “Lord Kaylin, please lead Yvonne to the parlor. Severn may join you. I wish to speak with An’Teela and Lord Nightshade.” Without, her tone implied, the interference of children.
Kaylin was old enough now that she didn’t bridle. She didn’t even attempt to take the reins of control from her guest. She owed this ancient Barrani woman at least that much. She turned to Yvonne. “Will you join me? I could use a stiff drink.”
Yvonne nodded, looping an arm through Kaylin’s. “I’d love to. I know the old warriors are so accustomed to corpses they don’t look at them as if they used to be living people—but I’m not, and I’m feeling a bit queasy. They don’t bother you?”
“Corpses are part of my work. And... yes, they bother me.”
“Don’t force yourself to smile,” Yvonne said—in Elantran. “It’s your home. I’m your guest, and I say it doesn’t matter. Who could smile when things are like this?” As she spoke, she glanced at the shadows on Kaylin’s left shoulder.
Teela had already begun her examination of the bodies. This was Kaylin’s home. The crime had occurred in it. Laws of exemption couldn’t be invoked.
That did make Kaylin smile.
Epilogue
“I want you to meet the Consort.”
Yvonne flinched.
“You could approach the Lake of Life. So can she. She isn’t political, even if she occupies a very political position. She loves both of her brothers. I’m not sure she was as fond of her father. Word’s going to spread.”