Mandoran, dont
I wont hurt your precious citizens. Well, not all of them, at any rate.
Bellusdeo spoke in a lower and fuller voice that was nevertheless distinctly her own. Ill leave the corporals in charge of apprehending the would-be assassins. Sergeant?
Moran looked at the golden Dragon. And she was a golden Dragon nowa very large, very imposing one with jaws that were the size of Kaylin.
I assume you havent ridden bareback Dragon before, Bellusdeo said to the sergeant.
Theres a first time for everything.
A last time, too, Kaylin muttered. She was still holding on to Moran.
Bellusdeos orange eyes paused over her worried expressionwhich was clearly reflected in them. Magic?
Kaylin nodded. I dont think theyve finished yet.
Then get onand dont let go of Moran until youre seated.
Mounting a Dragon wasnt exactly a no-handed operation, but Kaylin kept this to herself. She understood exactly why she was going to try her best to obey the command: if it werent for Kaylins alert and bristling familiar, Moran would be dead. Kaylin would probably be dead as well, if it had come to that.
Has anyone ever tried to assassinate you before? Bellusdeo asked the Aerian.
To Kaylins surprise, Moran answered, Yes.
Often?
No. And before you continue the interrogation, she added, struggling her way into a seated position between spinal ridges along the Dragons back, never with magic.
I thought the damn Caste Court wanted you back, Kaylin said, trying not to sound as outraged as she felt.
Some of them do. Some, clearly, dont.
And both factions are going to cause boatloads of trouble at the office.
Yes. I did warn you.
Kaylin snorted. As Bellusdeo pushed off the ground and lifted her wings against the pull of gravity, Kaylin shouted, Youve got nothing on Bellusdeo!
Dont, the Dragon rumbled in response, make me drop you. You might deserve it, but the sergeant doesnt.
* * *
The streets directly in front of the main entrance to the Halls of Law were crowded; they often were. Bellusdeo could have landed in them anywaythe approaching shadow of a very large Dragon was more efficient at clearing the streets than a full squad of mounted Swords. She chose instead to land in the stable yards, which had the advantage of fewer civilians. There were more horses, and the horses werent thrilled, but that would quickly become someone elses problem.
Kaylin slid off Bellusdeos back; Moran followed. She was a lot shakier on her legs than Kaylin, but then again, shed never ridden on something the size of a Dragon before. Or possibly on anything else, either.
The small dragon, flopped across Kaylins shoulder, lifted his head and squawked.
Were good to go, Kaylin said.
Bellusdeo was reassuming her mortal shape. Given her lack of clothing, she instead donned Dragon armor, scales becoming plates that girded the whole of her body. Kaylin knew this included a helm, but Bellusdeo wasnt fond of helms. Her hair was a glorious spill down her back; it matched and softened the rest of the armor.
The Emperor is going to kill me, Kaylin told the Dragon glumly.
He wouldnt dare, Bellusdeo said with a quirky smile. This one wasnt aimed at me.
Before Moran could speak, Kaylin turned to her and said, Dont even think it.
Think what?
Helen is the safest place for you to live in Elantra. Youre not moving out. Theres a reason the Emperor is willing to let Bellusdeo live with us.
I hadnt even considered it, Moran replied. When she saw Kaylins expression, she added, Its the truth. Im busy considering who might feel desperate enough to kill me today. And why.
How many candidates are there? Bellusdeo asked as they headed into the building.
More than one. The sergeants eyes were a steady, darkening blue. Id ask you not to mention this, she added, but given our method of arrivaland escapeits impossible to keep it secret.
From who? Kaylin demanded.
Lord Grammayre. She closed her eyes. And the rest of the Aerians.
The rest of the Aerians are Hawks, Moran. Theres only one way to take this.
Morans expression made her look older and frailer. The rest of the Aerians are people, kitling. She almost never used the Barrani-coined diminutive. They have lives outside of the Halls of Law, and most of those lives take place in the Aerie. Its not as simple as youd like it to be.
No, of course not, Kaylin replied. Nothing ever is.
* * *
The first argument occurred within the Halls, rather than outside the main doors. Kaylin didnt want to let Moran go to the infirmary on her own. Moran pointed outcorrectlythat Kaylins job depended on a different sergeant, and he was probably orange-eyed and long-clawed by this point.
He needed a new desk anyway, Kaylin replied. I dont expect mages to show up in the infirmary to kill you. But it doesnt take a mage.
I can take care of myself.
You could, before. But you cant even use one of your wings. Those wings were not just for flight; they could be used to devastating effect in close physical combat. Although Kaylin had never seen Moran fight that way, she had seen Clint at work. It wasnt pretty. Let me heal it, Moran.
No.
Let me heal it, or Im not going.
Bellusdeo silently lifted Kaylin off her feet. If its acceptable to you, Sergeant, the Dragon said, I would like to remain in the infirmary with you. The private, of course, has other duties.
The Emperor isnt going to like that, Moran said, but her lips were quirked in an odd smile as she met the Dragons gaze.
No, he isnt, is he? Bellusdeos eyes lost a lot of their orange then.
Morans lost a lot of their blue.
Kaylins gaze bounced between them while her feet dangled off the ground.
Yes, its acceptable to me. Please see Private Neya out.
* * *
Dont even think it, Bellusdeo said as she deposited Kaylin on her feet. I am tired of being treated with condescension.
I dont
I am a Dragon. You are a mortal. The sergeant is willing to have me play bodyguard in the infirmary. Push the issue, and she will have neither of us. Is that what you want? Before Kaylin could reply, she added, I am endeavoring not to feel insulted. Your hesitation implies that you think you would be more effective.
Insulting Dragons was the definition of career-limiting. And Bellusdeo was right. Mostly. What if theres an Arcane bomb?
Fine. If it makes you feel better, you can leave your familiar here, as well.
The small dragon squawked.
Bellusdeo rolled her eyes. Yes, I realize that. But theyre not going to get an Arcane bomb through the front doors, the side doors or the back doors. And anything else is just going to annoy me, not kill me. She walked back into the infirmary and shut the door, loudly, in Kaylins face. The familiar stayed where he was, but complained more.
* * *
Moran was right.
As Kaylin approached the office space designated for the Hawks and their much-hated paperwork, she could practically hear Leontine growling. Marcus was seated at what remained of his desk.
As Kaylin approached the office space designated for the Hawks and their much-hated paperwork, she could practically hear Leontine growling. Marcus was seated at what remained of his desk.
He did, however, have paperwork, and it seemed to be more or less in stable piles.
His eyes were orange, his bristling fur made his face look 50 percent larger, and his fangs were prominent. Clearly, hed already gotten the news.
Private!
She scurried over to the safe side of his desk, which at this point meant the side that was farthest from his unsheathed claws.
Wheres the Dragon?
...In the infirmary. Marcuss eyes went from orange to near red. Bellusdeo was the only female Dragon in existence. Her survival and safety meant more than almost anything else to the Emperor; having her tangled up in magical assassination attemptseven if they werent aimed at herwas going to cause what was politely referred to as politics.
Bellusdeo wasnt injured. At all. Shes there to help Moran. This reassurance smoothed some of the Leontines fur. Marcuss eyes remained orange, however.
What happened?
Im not entirely certain. This was apparently the wrong answer, but Marcus held on to patience. Barely. Someone attempted to kill Sergeant Carafel. With magic. While we were on the way to the Halls.
They failed.
Kaylin nodded.
You entered the building through the stable yards.
Kaylin nodded again. When Marcus glared at her, she confessed that Bellusdeo had flown Moran to the Halls.
Marcus, whats going on? Why is someone trying to kill Moran?
Did you see the assassin?
No, sir.
Did you see anything?
No. I felt it before it hit. I would have stayed to investigate, but Teela wasnt certain theyd finished yet, and we wanted to get Moran to safety. If the assassin was actually an Aerian, we had Bellusdeo. In aerial combat against Dragons, the Aerians are kind of mortal.
You are going to make me lose most of my fur, he growled. His eyes were probably as gold as they were going to get for the rest of the day. Corporal Handred is waiting for you. Get to work. The mirror at his desk demanded attention. Loudly.
Kaylin almost escaped it, heading for Severn, who was leaning against the wall beside the duty rosters board. If shed run, she might have.
Private!
Severn met her gaze, raising one brow in question.
She mouthed the Hawklord, her back turned to Marcus. There was no point in whispering; Leontine hearing would pick it all up anyway. She turned back to the sergeant.
The Hawklord would like to see you. Now.
* * *
Severn accompanied Kaylin up the Tower stairs. While they walked, she told him about her morning. Unlike Marcus, he seemed to take the information in stride. No one had been injured, except for the would-be assassin. Teela and Tain hadnt arrived at the Halls yet, so it was possible they were still in pursuit.
I asked Clint what was going on with the Aerians, Kaylin added. He wont say a damn thing. But he definitely didnt want Moran to be living with me.
Probably for your sake, Severn pointed out. And given the start of your morning, hes not wrong to worry.
Im going to have to invite him for dinner one day. Hell change his mind.
Severn glanced at her and shrugged, which was his polite way of disagreeing.
No assassin is going to get anywhere near her while shes with me.
She doesnt spend every hour of her waking day in your house. She spends some on the way to the Halls, in the Halls, and on the way to your home.
Kaylin glared at him.
Im not disagreeing with your decision. I think Helen is the safest for Moranand given the sergeants general expression these days, Helen might be offering more than just safety. But Clints right. Youre in danger while youre with her. You accept that danger. Dont look at me like thatI accept it. I also acknowledge it.
What do you think the Hawklords going to say?
I dont know. Even odds hes going to tell you to ask Moran to move out.
He can get stuffed.
I didnt say hed expect you to agree.
* * *
Kaylin hated politics. Hated them. She hated the stupid decisions, the game playing, the grandstanding. She hated political decisions made by people who never had to do any of the laws actual work. She hated the pervasive sense of superiority and smugness that underlay all of the rules.
She was going to try very, very hard not to hate the Hawklord. He wasnt the source of the bureaucratic rules that were often handed down; he was simply the mediator, and their only shield against the worst of them. She told herself that grimly as she faced his closed doorsand the door ward that girded them.
Let me, Severn said quietly.
She shook her head. I dont know if he knows youre here.
He knows.
Fine. I dont think he summoned you. Hell probably tolerate your presence. You are my partner, after all. Gritting her teeth, she lifted her left hand and placed it against the ward. As usual, the magic required to open the door shot through her palm, numbing it instantly; all of her skin screeched in protest. The small dragon squawked.
She was tempted to let her familiar melt the damn door ward. She just didnt trust him to melt only that. And her meager pay wouldnt stretch to cover the cost of doors specifically prepared to carry magical wards.
The doors rolled open. The Hawklord was standing in the circle at the center of the Tower, his eyes a dismal shade of blue. Kaylin was heartily sick of blue eyes, and the working day had barely started. Unfortunately, she didnt expect to see many colors that werent blue or orange today. Severn, being human, had eyes that didnt change, for which she was grateful.
Private, the Hawklord said.
She executed a very precise salute. Severn, by her side, did the same, and did it better.
Corporal. There was a question in the word; it bounced off Severns completely shuttered expression. Very well. The Hawklord gestured; the doors closed. Only when they were completely shut did he speak again. Private, youve had a very eventful morning.
Sir.
His brows rose very slightly. Is that a yes, sir, or a no, sir?
Its a sir.
I see. You are no doubt aware, he continued, turning away from Kaylin and toward the Towers central mirror, that my morning has become vastly more eventful as a result of yours? He gestured the mirror to life, and its silver, reflective surface absorbed his reflection, scattering it to the edges of the frame. What remained was a kind of pale, ash-gray sheen. Or at least thats what Kaylin could see.
How is Moran adjusting to life with you?
It wasnt the question shed been expecting, but it wasnt promising.
Shouldnt you be asking Moran that?
She is not currently present. You are. His tone made clear that his tolerance for insubordination was quickly reaching an all-time low.
Shes doing well. She likes Helen.
The...Avatar of your home?
Yes. Helen likes her. She has her own rooms in the houseeveryone does. She hesitated; the Hawklord was expressionless. Helen makes rooms for people who are going to be permanent guests. She made rooms suitable for an Aerian. Shes got furniture suitable for an Aerian, and the ceilings are tall.