Cast in Sorrow (Luna Books)(14)

And anyone else?

No, Kaylin. It is why they die.

And it's why they can't afford to lose him.

Perhaps. But the dreams of the West March fly above this citadel. While they last, they will speak with the Warden.

And not with you.

He did not reply.

* * *

If dinner had ended there, Kaylin would have considered it a win.

The blue-eyed mother of the Warden fell silent. Not to be undone, another Barrani spoke. He was, again, unfamiliar. "I cannot imagine how novel it would be to have a mortal living in the West March. Tell me, Lord Kaylin, how does your experience in the High Halls differ?"

"I'm not a Lord of the Court of the Vale," she replied evenly. She had pretty much lost her appetite. That wouldn't stop her from eating.

"No, of course not."

Now this? This was exactly what she expected from the Barrani. It was, if she was being truthful, what she expected from the Human Caste Court and the moneyed class of her own species.

"There's no convenient-and impartial-test of fitness," Kaylin replied evenly. "Although I'm certain just being a citizen of the West March is qualification enough."

His smile, which was lovely and grating at the same time, froze on his perfect face.

Lord Barian surprised her. He rose. He instantly had the attention of the room, which confirmed Kaylin's sour suspicion that the pathetic mortal was the evening's entertainment. "Enough, Avanel. Lord Kaylin is an honored guest. She has touched the dreams of the Hallionne, which is test enough for the Warden's seat. It is an act of singular grace-and in gratitude, we bid her welcome."

It was a welcome already extended by the reigning Lord of the West March; he did not, in any way, demur. But he watched the Warden; the Warden's glance stopped, briefly, at his, as he surveyed the gathered dignitaries of both Courts.

Avanel didn't apologize. Nor did Kaylin expect an apology; she imagined that the humiliation of being forced to do so would make her an enemy for life. Dinner was served; wine was offered. A silence broken by the muted syllables of distant conversation ensued, like an armistice.

The next jab at the mere mortal wasn't aimed at Kaylin; the Warden's word appeared to be law. No, the next question came one table over, where Severn was seated.

"Lord Severn."

She turned to see who was speaking and caught the back of a head. The voice was male; the clothing marked the wearer as West March. More than that, she couldn't tell, and she turned back to her food.

"Lord Tanniase."

"It has been some time since a mortal has chosen to visit the West March."

Severn appeared to be eating; he wasn't doing a lot of speaking.

"In fact, I believe the last time one visited, he was not a member of the High Court. His circumstances were, however, highly unusual. Perhaps you recall them?"

"Mortal memory is imperfect, Lord Tanniase."

"Yet you remember me."

Severn failed to reply.

"Perhaps you interact with many of our distant kin in your fabled city. The journey to the West March is not one to be undertaken lightly, yet you chose to make it."

"I did. I believe my sponsor of the time obtained all requisite permissions, and the Hallionne did not refuse me their hospitality."

"The Hallionne do not decide."

"No. I believe the Lord of the West March did."

"In exchange for the warmth of our welcome, you killed a man and took an heirloom with you when you departed."

Kaylin concentrated on her food, which was hard. She wanted to push her chair back from the table, get up, and move to stand by Severn's chair. But he wouldn't appreciate it, and neither would anyone else in the room. She'd never appreciated the visceral nature of Leontine culture quite so much.

"Your memory is harsher than mine," Severn replied. "I was given the heirloom in question because I defeated a Barrani Lord in single combat. I appreciate the concern you feel on behalf of your kin, but believe it misplaced in this case; the weapon was not, and would never have become, yours."

Eat, Kaylin. If you are concerned for Lord Severn, your concern is misplaced.

Is it true? Did he come here to kill a Barrani Lord?

He came, and a man died. Had he, as implied, attempted to steal the weapon he now carries, it would have destroyed him. While he lives, he wields it. It was damaged in the outlands, and there are craftsmen here who might see to its repair. They may well refuse, he added. But I think it unlikely. He is mortal. The weapon will return to our kin in a brief handful of years.

Why did you give him permission to travel here? When?

I am not at liberty to tell you if you do not already know. He is, in many ways, yours-but he is a man, not a child. He does not require your permission; nor does he require your knowledge.

"Perhaps we will test your knowledge of our artifacts," Lord Tanniase replied. His voice implied eyes of midnight-blue.

"You propose a challenge?" Severn's voice was softer. Colder.

Who brought him here?

The Lord of the West March failed to answer.

To Kaylin's lasting surprise, Lord Evarrim spoke. "Lord Tanniase."

"Lord Evarrim."

"I would, of course, enjoy the spectacle of a Lord of any Barrani Court issuing a challenge to one merely mortal; I am certain it would afford us all some amusement. But the outlands appear to be held against us, and the legion of the transformed occupy the forests. The recitation will occur, regardless; if you wish to lower yourself to such a challenge, it might be advantageous to do so when the recitation is complete."

"Are you implying that I might lose such a challenge?"

Lord Evarrim did not reply.

Kaylin couldn't tell whether or not Evarrim's comment was a not-so-subtle goad, but she knew Severn was in no shape to accept such a challenge. He could be in perfect health, and it would still be dicey-enough that Kaylin would bet real money against him.

She ate. The food might have been sawdust. She didn't touch the wine, but remembered enough to use the right utensils. The entire meal reminded her of the entrance exam she had undergone in order to join the Hawks as more than their official mascot. It was worse because she'd wanted to be a Hawk so badly. Passing this exam, on the other hand? The only possible work advantage was that it might prove she was fit for the delicate investigations that involved Barrani-and that meant more time with Barrani.

She was enormously grateful when the ordeal ended. Lord Tanniase had not challenged Severn to a duel. She had been asked no more questions about the High Court, the High Halls, or her unenviable lifespan. She had not, that she was aware of, embarrassed her race or her profession.

But when the Lord of the West March rose, signaling an end to dinner, the Warden rose, as well.

"Lord Kaylin," he said, bowing.

She froze. She was accustomed to being the butt of several jokes; she was even accustomed to condescension. Respect, when it was offered, made her ill at ease; she was certain some game was being played, and she didn't want to become a game piece on whatever board the Barrani had chosen.

But she returned the bow with a nod, stiffening her knees as she remembered the protocols of theoretical equals. "Lord Barian."

"I would converse with you about matters concerning the West March," he said. "If your time is not already spoken for, and you are willing to do so, I extend the hospitality of my humble halls for the evening."

She glanced automatically at the Lord of the West March; his eyes were a cautious blue, but not an angry one. He offered her no guidance. She wanted to say no; she'd had enough testing for one evening. But she wanted to offer no offense, either-not by accident. His intervention had prevented the dinner from descending into mortal-baiting; she owed him.

He noted her hesitation; it wasn't brief.

"I extend my offer of hospitality to Lord Severn; he is, if I am a judge of mortal character, your man."

"I would be honored," she said.

He nodded. It became instantly clear to whom; four men rose and joined him. As did his mother.

Will you at least tell me her name?

Amusement. She is Avonelle.

Kaylin wondered why all Barrani names sounded so similar. Is she Lord Avonelle?

She is not a Lord of the High Court, as her questions tonight made clear.

Will I seem too obsequious if I call her Lord Avonelle?

No. You have chosen to grace her son with a title that you are not, by etiquette, required to use; extending the same courtesy to his mother would not seem obsequious.

She caught the hidden currents behind that thought and grimaced. Even for the Lord of the West March, fawning respect from mortals was not considered pandering; it was considered inevitable. The Barrani Hawks didn't expect it. But with the single exception of Teela, none of them had a place in the High Court.

Tanniase?

He is a Lord. I understand that you absent yourself from both the Court and its unfortunate politics, but you must learn who comprises that Court. It is relevant, even in the West March. It cannot be irrelevant when the High Halls stand at the heart of your city.

She made a mental note to ask Teela for this information when she had the leisure time to memorize it. She was unlikely to forget Tanniase, however.                       
       
           



       Chapter 6


Before she departed for the Warden's so-called humble halls, she excused herself. She didn't offer to change, since she was afraid to insult the dress; she did want to let her hair down-literally-because it was so tightly bound it made her scalp hurt.