“I normally never want to talk about Nightshade,” Kaylin replied in a tone that suggested agreement. “But... I think this is politics. Barrani-style. You must know, by now, that Nightshade was nearly assassinated.”
The Consort nodded.
“Teela has information about that—but also emblems. Whoever orchestrated the attack chose to go all out—they sent two Barrani war bands into the warrens to lie in wait at Nightshade’s edge of the border zone. Nightshade was badly injured. I couldn’t heal him. I tried—but while I could physically touch him, I couldn’thealhim. And... it’s just like you, right now. I am holding your hand, but the healing power isn’t reaching you at all.”
The Consort’s eyes became fully blue. “He is injured?”
“He’s unconscious. He hasn’t woken up. Helen can’t help him, either. She doesn’t know what’s wrong. I don’t think the High Halls would be able to revive him—and even if the Avatar could, he’d likely die. He’s an unconscious outcaste. Helen can protect him—and she will, because Annarion would be shattered if his brother died.
“The High Halls can protect you.”
“If the High Halls were capable of that, I would not be in this condition.” The Consort’s expression was thoughtful.
“I thought it was probably magic, but... it’s not just that. It might be a magical poison.”
Teela stepped forward. She didn’t push Kaylin out of the way, but she took up position around the small circular surfacecloser to the Kaylin side of the table. “We are investigating, Lady,” she said. She offered the Consort an extremely elegant, extremely correct bow. “But we believe the attackers, or those who orchestrated the attack, are moving on several fronts; they appear to be taking advantage of the border zones between the fiefs.”
The Consort’s eyes were now almost the same color as Teela’s. “You believe they are entering forbidden territory.”
“We believe it possible.” Teela exhaled. “The outcaste Dragon has infiltrated parts of Elantra before; his form appears to be mutable. He served for a time on the Aerian court; he has done damage in the fiefs, although our information in that regard is, by nature, incomplete. The fieflords share information when they believe there is some activity coming out ofRavellon, but what is shared is chosen by those lords.”
“Do you believe that information to be reliable?”
“Oddly, yes. The fieflords captain the Towers; the Towers exist solely to protect the barrier that prevents Shadow from escapingRavellon. Where Shadow is concerned, I believe they offer as much information as they can without compromising their own rule.”
“And have any of those lords offered news about people entering the heart of the fiefs?”
“Suspicions, yes. Were it a single individual, I might discard the information; I might assume the Dragon Outcaste is once again acting. He is not of Shadow; he cannot be detectedasShadow. But if he is involved, he is not, in our opinion, the instigator at this time.
“Lord Nightshade was attacked. He cannot be healed by the Chosen. You were not attacked—but you cannot be healed by the Chosen. You have not, to my knowledge, left the High Halls or your own seat.”
“Which means Barrani are involved.”
Teela nodded. “I don’t have to tell you that there are far, far too many Barrani who would like to see Nightshade fall—and the sword he carries returned to the High Court, where it might choose a new wielder. He is outcaste; his death is mandated.”
“By a previous High Lord,” the Consort replied, an edge of warning in her words.
“It’s the sword that preserved him,” Kaylin said, hoping to dull that edge a little—or at least distract its wielder. She liked the Consort, and she considered Teela family. She didn’t want to see them fight because of the stupid decision of a High Lord who was dead.
“Pardon?”
“We’re pretty sureMeliannospreserved his life. I can’t heal him—but the damage the magic or poison caused appears to have been suspended. I don’t think the sword would choose anyone who was directly responsible for his death.”
The Consort’s brows rose. “What do you know of our swords?”
“I know they’re called Dragonslayers, if that’s helpful. I know they’re magical. I sort of suspected they have egos, but that’s never been confirmed, and Teela bit my head off once because I asked impertinent questions.”
“Disrespectful questions, kitling.”
“Aren’t they the same thing?”
“At court, impertinence can get you fined or embarrassed. Disrespect might be cause to end your life. There is very little study and research extant about The Three, and before you even consider it, do not task the librarians of the Academia with research in their archives of forgotten and ancient lore.”
Given the color of her eyes, she meant it. “Even this much you should know better than to discuss.”
“But—it’s the Consort. She’s not his enemy!”
“We live forever. She is not his enemynow. Nor am I, or my kindred. But that does not mean the possibility does not exist in a future we cannot immediately foresee.” Teela exhaled.