The Consort gestured, and an empty chair appeared. “Please forgive my poor manners, An’Teela.”
Teela nodded and sat. The hilt of her sword could be seen as she arranged her skirts—no doubt a deliberate, graceful reminder.
“You believe the timing suspect? Do you consider it possible that a faction aligned against the current An’Mellarionne has been forced into play?”
“I believe it is a possibility. I believe it is possible that the outcaste Dragon has some hand—subtle and not commanding—in this. And I believe that the Arcanum’s members are involved. I have asked for a meeting with Lord Evarrim to discuss the possibility.
“How many people are aware of your affliction?”
The Consort said, “As you must guess, no one of whom I am aware.”
“Then let me ask a different question. Are there any Barrani who have sent their daughters to visit the Lake recently?”
“As you are aware, families sponsor children to take the tests to become a potential Consort frequently. But yes. Three.”
“Are you aware of the results?”
The Consort looked pained. “I cannot divulge results. I would break that law if it became necessary, but that information cannot come from me. The position as Lady is not political; it has been agreed that politics must be subservient to the very future of our people, and throughout time, that has more or less proven true.”
Barrani politics were never entirely in abeyance. Politics of necessity meant no one attempted to kill the Consort. Even were her condition to be known, there would be a high, high cost to the attempt.
But to render her incapable without taking her life? To force her from her seat because she could no longer do the duties for which she was treated with such reverence?
That felt Barrani through and through.
But if one of the families believed they had a daughter that could replace the Consort, it wasexactlythe type of thing they might do.
You are becoming more accustomed to subtle Barrani politics, Ynpharion said with a grudging hint of approval.
“How long has it been?” Kaylin asked the Consort, her voice softer than Teela’s. “How long has it been since the Lake could no longer hear you?”
09
The Consort was silent for long enough, Kaylin thought she wouldn’t answer the question.
“She is trying to place the timing,” Teela told her. “Nightshade’s attack was less than a full day ago. If your condition occurred before that attack, it changes the shape of our investigation. No word of the difficulty will leave this place; while Lord Kaylin is perhaps an open book with regards to most things, she is highly aware of the stakes.
“And she is not foolish enough to dream of a life as a Barrani Lord in the High Halls, which was what she would be forced to become were the truth known. The Avatar Terrano calls Abel is aware, must be aware, of the difficulty. He understands what is at stake.”
The Consort bowed head, maintaining silence.
“It did not happen all at once,” she finally said. “If the attempt on Calarnenne’s life coincided with Kaylin’s inability to heal him, his condition must have occurred immediately. Mine did not. I can speak with the Lake; it is not the way I speak with you now. But the Lake’s voice is a song that I hear constantly; it is a joy and a reminder that joymustbe protected.
“The song became quieter; it was harder to hear, and therefore harder to listen. I was concerned that something had happened, something had injured or damaged the Lake—but the High Halls said the Lake had not changed.
“There was only one conclusion I could draw. I had changed, somehow. But the High Halls could see no discernible difference, no interference, magical or otherwise, no hint of poison. But two days ago, I could no longer hear the Lake.” She closed her eyes. Her lips thinned before she spoke again. “I could not visit it, as I was wont to do when troubled.
“I believe you could, should you make that attempt. We are not a populous people, and we have few children over the course of our long lives—but should a child be born tomorrow, my condition would become known. And should that happen, your ability would become more widely known as well.
“But if you could not touch Calarnenne, it is unlikely you will be able to affect me with the Marks of the Chosen, either.”
“We haven’t given up on Nightshade,” Kaylin replied. “We’re doing research in at least two places to understand what’s happened to him—and we can research more or less openly. We obviously can’t do that where you’re involved—but it looks like the work itself will be useful.”
“And more urgent,” Teela added. She rose. “We will keep you informed in a way that will not cause obvious interest from those who now work against you. But if you could deliver the names of those families who have had their daughters take the test of the Lake, it would be of relevance.”
“How so? You imagine that one of those families is somehow responsible?”
“Do you not?”