Cast In Deception. Michelle Sagara
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I have any say in it?” Teela exhaled and stood, losing the studied nonchalance of chair lounging. “You’re certain it was the fieflord?”
“I’ve never met him. Severn was certain.”
More Leontine followed, but it was soft. Clearly Teela trusted Severn’s opinion.
“Why is Candallar involved?” Kaylin asked, as Bellusdeo said, “Candallar is outcaste, yes?”
Teela only answered the Dragon’s question. “Yes.”
“Does he happen to be related to any of the cohort? Because I’ve got one furious fieflord visiting my home at least three times a week, and I think I could do without another one.”
“You would rather he visit your home than encounter him elsewhere. Candallar noted your mark?”
“Nightshade’s mark? Yes.”
“Good.”
Kaylin thought she’d take the nearest seat, she was so shocked. “Good? You still hate him for putting the mark there!”
“Yes. But it will serve as a warning to Candallar, if a warning is required. He is not Nightshade.”
“Nightshade is more powerful?”
“He was, before he was removed from the High Court. There is a reason he possesses one of The Three.”
And a reason, Kaylin thought, wanting to smack herself, that Teela possessed one as well. Three swords created to fight Dragons. They were called The Three; the capital letters were practically pronounced. Had she never really considered that they weren’t just handed out randomly?
“Candallar is younger?”
“We are all ancient compared to you. Candallar is younger. He was of the High Court. He took, and passed, the Test of Name.”
“Why was he turfed out?”
Teela pinched the bridge of her nose. Bellusdeo suggested Kaylin speak in Barrani, or High Barrani. “Which part of ‘above your pay grade’ isn’t clear? I can repeat it in all of the languages you know, and three you don’t. I am certain that Bellusdeo could repeat it in her native tongue—”
“That’s illegal without permission—”
“And suffer few ill consequences.”
“East Warrens was Canatel’s beat. His and Tagraine’s. Candallar was there—invisibly, by the way—to meet them.”
“He said so?”
“He said he was visiting friends.”
“Of course he did.” Teela cast one backward glance at the unconscious man on the cot. It was not a look of loathing; it was not a look of anger.
“What happened?” Kaylin asked.
“Tagraine and Canatel had an argument. They came to blows in the office. I invited the Barrani to the West Room to discuss, among other things, self-control. In retrospect, this was unwise.” Her smile was grim, but genuine. “It was clever,” she added, as if to explain her expression. “Only Barrani were present, as they must have known would be the case. I did not get far into my ill-tempered lecture before Tagraine attempted to kill me. With a dagger,” she added.
What was Teela not saying?
“Canatel attempted to stop Tain from interfering. Canatel was injured. Tagraine died.” Both her voice and face were devoid of expression.
This was not exactly the story Kaylin had heard. She knew better than to trust gossip for accuracy, but... “Canatel didn’t try to kill you? He didn’t help?”
“He attempted to come to the aid of his partner.” Teela’s glare was ice and steel.
Bellusdeo cleared her throat. “Candallar.”
“That’s not the direction I expected the politics to travel. I have limited access to fieflords. In theory, so does the rest of the Court—but the rest of the Court does not serve as Hawks, with the legal boundaries necessitated by that office. I was...unprepared for that avenue of pressure. Did you attempt to engage him?”
“She threatened to arrest him, if that helps,” Bellusdeo offered.
Teela covered her forehead with her left hand. “Of course she did.”
“He seemed surprisingly conscious of Imperial Law,” the Dragon continued, “and entirely unintimidated by it. He did not ask Kaylin for either information or concession; I believe he was distracted.”
“By the presence of a Dragon?”
“By the confirmation of the presence of a Dragon within the Halls of Law.”
That was not the same thing, and Teela knew it.
“On the other hand, if his contacts were Hawks, it is not entirely surprising he would have that information. Nor are the Hawks the only way that information might reach him; the Hawks themselves might speak with members of the High Court, and the High Court is, of course, very aware of my existence.”
“You are much more likely to survive involvement in my life than Kaylin is,” Teela said. “But the arcane bomb that would have ended your life was thrown well away from both the Halls and the High Court.”
“I would not be certain that my involvement in your affairs would be the cause of another assassination attempt. Nor,” she added, as Teela opened her mouth, “could the Emperor be. How much of a concern is Candallar?”
“He’s a concern. Whatever pressure he put on Tagraine—and I won’t know until Canatel wakes—he’s just a lever.”
“Do you have any idea who might be pushing that lever?”
“Some vague suspicion. I know Canatel’s family. Candallar was made outcaste for purely political reasons; he did not attempt to harm the Consort. Nor did he engage in illegal activities involving other races—at least not until he was forced to flee and found himself at home in the fiefs.”
“And he wants?”
“I would guess he wants to be repatriated. He wants to be forgiven.”
“But—”
Both the Dragon and the corporal turned toward Kaylin. “But?” Teela asked.
“But it’s the High Lord who decides, isn’t it?”
“In theory, yes. In practice? No. I do not believe the High Lord is behind Candallar’s movements.”
“You say that like you have some idea who is.”
“No, kitling, I don’t. I have some idea of who isn’t.”
“Why would they do this?”
“Tagraine? Canatel?”
Kaylin nodded. At heart, this was the only question she needed answered. The politics and malice of Barrani who were not Hawks was like rain or heat; it existed outside of the Halls.
“I can’t speak for Tagraine. I can’t speak for Canatel—he cannot speak for himself at the moment. And I should not tell you even this much. But Canatel has a sister. She is older, and she is a Lord. She is, however, a very, very minor lord whom most feel survived the Test of Name because the sheer terror of it drove her to mindless—but ultimately pragmatic—flight. She is surrounded by Lords of greater age and far greater power, be it economic, political, or as is generally the case, both. Had she never taken the Test, she would not now be in danger.”
Kaylin raised a brow, and Teela exhaled. “They would have to find her. Many of the Barrani who are of the High Court do not make their homes in the city.”
“And the ones who aren’t do?” This made no sense to Kaylin.
“It is frequently where the landless poor among the