Cast in Honor (Chronicles of Elantra, #11)(53)
“Ravellon.”
“It should come as no surprise to you that disturbances of any significance once occurred there. Look at the Winding Path.” As he spoke, the map once again moved; Ravellon fell off the edge of the image.
Gray covered the whole of the midsection of the long Winding Path. At its center was the house in which the bodies had been discovered.
Chapter 12
“Gray is bad, right?” Mandoran asked. When Teela glared at the side of his face, he laughed. “I’m joking, Teela. Joking. You remember what jokes are, right?”
“Gray,” the Arkon said, in a voice so dry it should have caught fire, and might well yet, “is, as you put it, bad.”
“I’m wondering why the Hawks don’t have a similar map,” Teela added.
“You have a good working knowledge of current events; you could place those events and re-create a large portion of the relevant, modern map.” The implied if you weren’t so lazy and shortsighted hung in the air without the actual need to be said. “The reason the gray is so dark in Elani is because—”
“That’s where the Keeper is,” Kaylin finished.
“Indeed. We do not distrust the Keeper, precisely. But his abode is in the heart of the Emperor’s hoard.”
“How long ago was the previous difficulty on the Winding Path?” Teela asked, as Kaylin simultaneously demanded to know what, exactly, the difficulty was.
“Centuries ago,” the Arkon replied, answering Teela’s question. Kaylin’s he left hanging, like bad laundry. “I believe you have had access to the archives of the Arcanum.”
“I do not have access to those archives at present.”
“No, of course not. You’re a Hawk.” He stared at her.
“I’ll ask,” Teela grudgingly offered. “But I’ll be expected to offer some information in return.”
“We have no information at present, and Arcanists are famously difficult when they decide to investigate on their own. Perhaps it is wise to contain that request for the time being.”
Teela nodded.
“You entered the subbasement. Did you note anything of significance aside from the magical detritus on the walls?”
“No. The Halls would welcome your investigation, should you decide to visit the site in person.” This was exaggeration, if not an outright lie.
“Given my last excursion, I do not plan to leave my library for at least a decade.”
“Not even for dinner?” Bellusdeo asked.
She could have stabbed him in the leg and caused less obvious pain, in Kaylin’s opinion. “I will, of course, be delighted to accept your offer of hospitality.”
Bellusdeo laughed. Her eyes were pure gold. “At your age, Lannagaros, you should be a much better liar.”
“I have had enough power in my life that I have never been forced to learn the art of dissembling.” To Kaylin, he said, “Your familiar does not feel that...Gilbert...poses an immediate threat. I wish you to ascertain what Gilbert’s presence means. His presence across the street from this unusual murder—and basement—cannot be a coincidence. Bellusdeo will accompany you when you interview him.”
Kaylin opened her mouth, thought better and closed it again.
The Arkon then turned to Mandoran. Kaylin didn’t understand a word that left his mouth when he spoke to the Barrani youth. Teela didn’t immediately understand them, either, but her expression made it clear that Mandoran did.
“I cannot believe,” Mandoran said, as his eyes shaded to indigo, “that you are still alive. The High Lord did not understand just how much of a threat you posed.”
“The High Lord approves of the Arkon,” Kaylin pointed out.
“He refers,” Teela said, in a brittle voice, “to the High Lord who reigned at the time of the last of our great wars. He has had no interaction with the reigning High Lord.”
“What exactly did he say?”
“Nothing that you need to hear,” Teela snapped. It had been a long time since Teela had used that tone of voice; the last time Kaylin could remember hearing it, they’d been caught in the cross fire of a magical fight. An illegal one. And Kaylin had still been a mascot.
Bellusdeo, however, folded her arms. “Perhaps Kaylin doesn’t,” she conceded. “I, however, would like an explanation. Arkon?”
The Arkon looked at Mandoran and Annarion. To Kaylin’s great surprise, he didn’t respond to Bellusdeo, either. “You said you were of the Solanace line.”
Annarion nodded.
“You are aware that the line ended when your brother was made Outcaste.”
“I am Solanace,” Annarion said. “I have committed no crime. I have broken no law.”
“You will not take the mantle of your father’s line if you do not face the test of the High Halls.”
“No.”
“You are aware that your ancestral lands are in the hands of your cousin.”
“Why, exactly, do you know so much about the Solanace family?” Kaylin asked.
“I know many things. If I were to catalog them all, you would die of old age—or possibly fire. I do not enjoy your constant interruptions.” This last had more thunder in it. “I did not threaten your companion. I merely wished to know how much he would understand.”