Cast in Conflict

by Michelle Sagara

  “It is possible that these students might be capable of learning some small part of the art of walking.”

  “Perhaps,” Starrante replied. “But they are new here, and they have not proven themselves in the most basic of subjects. I am willing to revisit this discussion should it become something of true relevance to their interests.”

  “It won’t,” a direly familiar voice said. Kaylin didn’t bang her head against the wall because she wasn’t standing near one. She did send a very pointed glare at Mandoran.

  “Ah, young man,” Starrante said.

  “I’m Terrano.”

  “I believe I have seen the traces you have left here in your previous passage.” To Riaknon he said, “I do consider this one promising.”

  “He isn’t even a student,” Larrantin pointed out. “And I do not believe he has received permission to enter the library.”

  “Clearly he has,” Starrante said, “because he is demonstrably here.”

  “I couldn’t get in very far the first time,” Terrano added.

  “Did your friends call you?” Starrante asked.

  “No,” Serralyn said promptly. “And Mandoran was begging him to stay at home.” She seemed amused by both things.

  “I was bored and Sedarias is in a mood, and Helen told me it was okay for me to leave.” He then turned to the Arbiters and offered them a perfect bow. “What did you mean, walk a line?”

  Starrante clicked.

  Terrano clicked back.

  Riaknon froze in place, but all of Starrante’s eyes opened at once; it seemed to be the equivalent of hair rising.

  Serralyn said, “Show off.” In Elantran, of course.

  Mandoran snorted. Valliant, however, said nothing; of the three he was most likely to pass for Barrani normal.

  “In a fashion, it’s impressive,” Larrantin said. “I could not make the alterations that would allow me to speak to Starrante on the fly, and there are risks should I choose to make the attempt otherwise. You are not, however, a student here.”

  “I could apply?”

  “You could, yes. I am not entirely certain that I would support your acceptance, but,” he added quickly as Serralyn opened her mouth, “I believe you would have supporters among the student body.”

  “I would be interested,” Starrante said. “I am not sure what I have to teach can be learned by most of the races, but you and your kin are different. It might work.”

  “Are some of the books here yours?”

  “No. That is not the way we teach.”

  “But...you became a librarian?”

  “I did not say I did not revere the knowledge contained herein—but it was not a form of teaching that could be condensed into words. Or perhaps not by us; words were perhaps a third of our lessons, if even that much.”

  “But...how did you teach without words?”

  “Demonstration, of course. We are a practical people. Or were.”

  “Can I at least watch?” Robin asked.

  “If it does not interfere with your classes, yes,” Starrante replied, before anyone else could.

  “I am against this,” Androsse then said. “No, not you, Robin,” he added, to the crestfallen boy, “but the teaching of Terrano. I do not feel it is either safe or wise, and I would forbid the library to all of those who are...slightly displaced.” He turned to Kavallac, because her vote would be the tiebreaker.

  “The boy almost reached the library when it was disconnected from any other world,” she finally said, glancing once at Terrano, her eyes narrowed. “What Starrante sees, I do not see. But you are right—there is a perturbation that was less clear, given the excitement from which we have only just recovered.

  “I would agree with you,” she added, “but I do not think the decision is entirely ours. This is a found space. I believe on some level it desired to be found.”

  Riaknon was trembling in place. And clicking a lot.

  Starrante was still, but it was an unusual stillness; he was silent as well, although he broke the silence eventually. “Remember the first line,” he said quietly to his compatriot. “I am overjoyed to see you well after all this time. You have clearly made adjustments to living in what remains of the world.”

  “I live with mortals, yes,” Riaknon replied. “And I will, with your permission and the permission of Lord Liatt, send Zabarrok to visit.”

  “If it is only my permission you require, you have it. I believe that the chancellor will also have some say. Zabarrok is living with...mortals. I think I almost have to see him in person to believe it.”

  “He does not leave the Tower much, it is true. Aggarok’s presence is strongest there. But I am certain he will make an exception for you. Can you leave this place?”

  “Experiments have long been held in abeyance. I can walk the halls of the Academia, and I imagine I could leave this particular building, but I am not at all certain I could now survive once I cross the boundaries. It is not captivity. It is choice, and I chose the library long, long ago.”

  “Just as Aggarok chose the Tower?”

  “For different reasons, but yes. I believe that mine were innately more selfish, but I cannot imagine being trapped in one place and unable to weave at all for a week, let alone eternity.” He then reoriented his body in Kaylin’s direction. “You have my gratitude, Chosen. I had not thought to see any of my own kin in person again, and memories, even ours, lack substance and warmth; the facts remain but the emotions become extenuated.”

  “I had nothing to do with it,” Kaylin said quickly. She’d inferred that Starrante and his kin—like the Dragons and Barrani—were immortal. She wondered if they had True Names, as the two immortal races she knew did. “Bellusdeo contacted Liatt, and Liatt insisted on bringing a guard—Riaknon. Probably because she wanted to be able to escape if she walked into a trap. You can do that, right?”

  “I am not confined to this place, yes,” Riaknon replied. “But surely you do not discuss security precautions with strangers?”

  “Ah, no. Sorry. I was thinking out loud.”

  Mandoran snorted. “The chancellor’s permission was required; make sure to thank him. Do you think the meeting is over now?”

  “It is not,” Riaknon replied. “But it’s possible that Lord Liatt has extended the meeting to give me time to greet my kinsman. She wished me to come,” he added, “to ascertain whether or not you had truly survived. She was inclined to believe it, but she is lord, and caution is necessary. Have you tried to weave the external into this place?”

  “If you mean can I open a tunnel for Zabarrok, the answer at the moment is a very qualified yes.”

  This meant something to Riaknon. It didn’t clearly have the same meaning for anyone else in the room, although Androsse grimaced.

  “Qualified how?” Kaylin was left to ask. She’d waited a bit hoping Robin would do it, but he was silent—probably waiting for Riaknon, who had nothing to lose by asking.

  “I can open portals and pathways back to the library from anywhere I happen to be standing. I believe Riaknon believes he can do the same—but I would not advise that you try while you are inside the library itself.”

  “Understood.”

  “Opening pathways from the library to other places is more challenging. The texture of the threads, the spinning itself, is often pulled by a gravity that affects very little else; the shape cannot always be guaranteed to maintain structural stability. The portal itself, yes; you no doubt think of our similarities to spiders, and our webs are similar in some fashion—they resist the equivalent of breeze and wind. They will not survive a gale.

  “But they are persistent, and while we weave, there is some probability that the tunnel itself will become attached to the wrong place. It is not a risk, given the current precarious position of the Academia, I would be willing to take; I imagine the chancel
lor would be strongly against it.”

  “Bellusdeo would breathe fire,” Kaylin pointed out.

  “Yes? She is a Dragon.”

  “On you.”

  “Ah. You mean she would disapprove.”

  “Strongly. We don’t yet know—” Kaylin exhaled. “We know that there were no Shadows in the border zones. We didn’t know why. If the border zones were somehow attached to the Towers, it would make sense—but the Academia is no longer a border zone and we don’t want to attract the attention of Shadow if we’re not certain this is secure. It doesn’t exist in normal space, but it can be reached by crossing it.”

  “If there were an infestation, as you fear, it is only the Academia that is likely to suffer; the Towers are aware of their strict boundaries, and that awareness has not changed,” Riaknon informed them. “But I believe Lord Liatt would also be against the risk—not that she has final say.” He clicked a bit but seemed to be thinking out loud. “I will tell Zabarrok that he will have to visit the mortal way.”

  “He doesn’t like it?”

  “No. He dislikes it intensely. In that, he has only grown more cantankerous with age. I will take my leave for today, but with the permission of the Arbiters and the chancellor, I will visit again.”

  “For my part, you have permission,” Starrante replied.

  “And for mine as well,” Kavallac said. “Androsse?”

  “I am fine with Zabarrok’s visit. I am very concerned, however, with the presence of a possible visitor who is not even a student.”

  “I’ll apply,” Terrano said promptly. He offered Androsse a perfect bow.

  Androsse was not comforted. “This is not a good idea.”

  “No, but most of the best ones aren’t,” Terrano replied. He couldn’t keep the grin off his face; he was green-eyed and almost as excited as Serralyn.

  This soured Androsse’s mood, which hadn’t been good to begin with, but Kavallac chuckled. “Does he not remind you of someone, Arbiter?”

  “He does not.”

  “He does remind me of someone,” Larrantin said. He had been so silent, Kaylin had almost forgotten he existed. “But that is my problem, not his.”

  “He is one of those unintentional dangers. He does not think through the possible consequences of his actions,” Androsse snapped.

  “Some of those consequences are new, as the actions themselves must be; he has done and seen things that none of our kin have done or seen. I am certain there is information to share—and things to learn—that we would not have considered, given the limitations of our forms and our current existences. You are Arbiter, but your kin could see farther, and for longer, than ours. Are you not even slightly curious?”

  “Please escort yourselves out of my library. Now.”

  12

  Liatt’s meeting concluded almost the instant Kaylin returned with Riaknon. Humans had eyes that didn’t change color with emotion, but she seemed, if not pleased, cautiously optimistic. “Riaknon, you have arrived at a good time. We have just finished our discussion, and I have much to consider. Are you ready to leave?”

  “I am. Starrante was well. There was a curious young man who entered the library; Starrante was distracted.”

  “And you appear to be distracted as well.” She spoke fondly, and with obvious affection. Wevaran didn’t appear to blush, but he lifted his forearms in motions Kaylin was pretty certain she hadn’t seen before, clicking as he did.

  “He has not changed very much.”

  “You are certain?”

  “I am. I do not understand the Academia’s location; the geography seems impossible given the existence of the fiefs. But he is Arbiter, in his library space. With the chancellor’s permission—and yours, of course—I would like Zabarrok to visit. I think it would do him some good.”

  “If you can pry him out of the Tower, I would be grateful,” Liatt replied. “I worry.”

  This was as much human warmth as Kaylin had yet seen Liatt show, and she was almost shocked by it.

  “As do we all. Liannor?”

  “I’m ready.”

  Riaknon then headed out of the office doors; Liannor walked—slowly—to join him. Once there, he flattened his body against the stone floors, and she climbed up his back. He then resumed his regular height, with passenger, but the ceilings here were more than tall enough for their joint passage.

  Bellusdeo left the chancellor’s office as well. She looked tired to Kaylin’s eye, but not angry or irritated. “The chancellor invites you to remain for lunch,” she told Kaylin. The emphasis on the word invite made it a command, but...it was lunch, and it was free.

  “Corporal Handred as well?”

  “Of course. He understands the practical importance of partners within the Halls of Law.”

  “And me?” Mandoran asked.

  “I am certain he will tolerate it, although he will not be pleased if either you or Terrano causes difficulties in the dining hall. Remember that Serralyn and Valliant are new students here, and the reputation they establish will serve as their grounding when dealing with the various scholars who are willing—at the moment—to teach them.”

  Mandoran rolled his eyes. “Lunch sounds better than lecture,” he said.

  Bellusdeo snorted smoke.

  “You’re not staying?”

  “I am to join the chancellor at the head table,” she replied, which was yes. “Lannagaros seemed to feel that if I did not remain for lunch, Kaylin wouldn’t, and I’m not spending the rest of the afternoon listening to her stomach.”

  * * *

  The cohort, Robin and the two Hawks shared a table together. Terrano was sparkling at Serralyn, who was radiant in return. Valliant was much quieter, but his eyes were mostly green. Mandoran’s, however, had descended into blue and from his expression, looked likely to remain there. He wasn’t speaking out loud; no doubt Sedarias had advice. Or orders.

  But it was interesting to observe. The other three heard the same things that Mandoran did; he seemed to take them far more seriously.

  Robin, excited as well, was a burble of words and questions, and Serralyn appeared to be happy to answer them. Terrano might have, but she got there first, a dynamic that had never existed while she’d lived under Helen’s roof.

  “So, after lunch, what are you two doing?” she asked Kaylin.

  “Not sure—mostly following Bellusdeo. At Imperial command.”

  “Meaning you’re getting paid for this.”

  “I’d better be.”

  Serralyn laughed. “She’s been in a bit of a mood, since...”

  “I’m sure Sedarias has as well.”

  “No. Sedarias has been in a lot of a mood. I’m surprised Terrano escaped it.”

  “Oh?”

  “They talk a lot. Even in person. He really shouldn’t be here. But he heard the Arbiters, and he wanted to talk to Starrante, so he came anyway. I don’t think he could have walked into the library if Mandoran hadn’t been there as well.” She glanced at Mandoran, who ate very little, and chewed as if his food was made of leather.

  Her expression dimmed, and she reached out and put an arm around Mandoran’s shoulders. Instead of stiffening, which is what Kaylin would have done, he relaxed. “I like being able to do different things,” he said quietly.

  “But he doesn’t like being seen as different or abnormal,” Terrano finished.

  “And you don’t care.”

  “Not even the tiniest bit. We are different. But it’s not a bad thing.”

  “The High Halls?”

  “It’s not bad for most of us. Annarion still has difficulty if he doesn’t concentrate. And we didn’t attack the High Halls. We might be different, but we’re still Barrani.”

  Serralyn frowned. “You’re going to follow Bellusdeo?”

  Kaylin nodded.

 
“And Mandoran is going to follow you. Maybe you could take Terrano instead?”

  Mandoran shook his head. “He’s too distracted right now. And I want to know where you learned to speak like that.”

  “Like what?” Terrano asked, around a mouthful of food.

  “Like a spider.”

  “Wevaran,” Robin said, correcting him.

  “Fine. Like a Wevaran.”

  “I’ve heard the speech before,” Terrano replied.

  “You’ve met Wevaran before?” This time it was Kaylin who asked.

  “Not exactly met, no. But I’ve heard them before. I listened for a long time.”

  “I’ve listened—”

  “No, I mean, I did nothing but listen. To the clicking. There’s a tone to it, and a beat to it, and if you listen long enough you can distinguish individual speakers.”

  “Where?”

  He shrugged. “Nowhere dangerous, I promise.”

  All three of the cohort turned their eyes on him.

  “No, really. I’m not an idiot. I can listen from a safe distance.”

  “Please do not tell me you were listening on the edge of Ravellon.”

  “Okay.”

  “I am so grateful Bellusdeo is sitting up there and not here. She would strangle you.”

  “I’m considering it myself,” Mandoran muttered. “Sedarias is now screaming in my ear because you’re ignoring her.”

  “I’m not ignoring her—I can hear every word she says.” He grinned. “She’s worried. You know what she’s like when she worries.”

  Mandoran grimaced—but so did the other two. Only Terrano seemed to find any amusement in it. “Anyway, I listened. I listened for a long time.”

  “How long is long?” Kaylin asked.

  “Long enough. I couldn’t make the noises myself, not initially—and I wasn’t stupid enough to try to get their attention. But some phrases were used here and there. It’s strange,” he added, his voice becoming momentarily more serious. “If I wasn’t certain they were in Ravellon, I wouldn’t necessarily have known. I think they might be, in the end, like the creature in the High Halls after their enslavement; they’re talking as themselves, but they don’t have full control of what they do.”