But if the law can sometimes be used to protect those who dont have that power, its better than nothing. Do you think Im stupid?
Frequently, Bellusdeo replied, but her voice was gentle. But not in this. I wanted to be perfect, when I ruled. I wanted to be a queen who could be admired and followed; I wanted to make no mistakes. In that, I failed. But I considered the alternative worse: to not try. I learned from my mistakes. I made new ones. As I gained power, the cost of my mistakes grewbecause it wasnt just me who would pay for them. Its the one silver lining to the cloud of being powerless, here.
You could join the Hawks.
Given your Sergeants attitude toward Dragons, I highly doubt it.
Hes not in charge. If Lord Grammayre gives you permission... Kaylin trailed off.
He would require Imperial permission first, and I highly doubt he would receive it. Not in my case. And yes, I am aware that Lord Tiamaris has been, in the past, considered a member of the Hawks. I am content, however, to be allowed to accompany you on your patrols. If, she added, you have no objections.
Right at this very moment, Kaylin didnt.
* * *
If anyone else was surprised to see Bellusdeo approaching the Halls in regular clothing, they were better at containing their shock than Kaylin was.
Clint and Tanner were on door duty, and therefore had the first opportunity. They nodded to Bellusdeo; they were not required to be more formal while on duty. Not that any of the Hawks were great at formality, except those in the upper echelons.
Anything I should be dreading before Im given permission to enter? Kaylin asked, glancing at Clints wings. Theyd been singed, but not in a way that would prevent flight; Clint had assured her that they would be fully functional, and hed been right.
Moran had a screeching fight with Ironjaw. She also had a clipped, angry discussion with the Hawklord.
Moran?
You might remember her? Shortish, speckled wings, foul temper, runs our infirmary?
Moran had reportedly been clipped by fire that was hot enough to melt stone. According to Teela, one of her wings was a disaster; her prognosis for future flight was not good, and she was supposed to be confined to the Aerie in the Southern Reach.
Why is she even in the office? Shouldnt she be at home?
You might want to keep that opinion to yourself today, Tanner replied, wincing. She is not in the mood to have her presence at work criticized, and she made that quite clear.
Can she even fly?
Silence.
Kaylin turned to Bellusdeo. Were going to take a detour to the infirmary.
Were we not just warned against that?
Not exactly, Kaylin replied at the same time as Clint said, Yes.
I am not familiar with Moran, the Dragon said. Ive met her, of course, but our paths have not otherwise crossed.
If youre smart, they wont cross today. Clint glanced at Kaylin before adding, But if you mean to tag along where Kaylin goes, smart wont count for much.
Thanks a bunch, Clint.
I thought you valued honesty?
Chapter 2
If your Sergeant was unable to convince Moran that her services are not currently required, what do you think youll achieve? Bellusdeo asked pointedly as they made their way to the infirmary.
Ill worry less. I just want to make sure shes all right.
You dont expect her to be all right.
Kaylin rolled back her sleeve, exposing the bracer that she wore. It was a giftof sortsfrom the Imperial Treasury, and it looked like a golden manacle, but longer, and with gems. The gems were actually buttons, and when pressed in a specific sequence, it opened. If one didnt know the sequence, the bracer wouldnt open. If it didnt open, it did not come off. Cutting Kaylins hand off would not remove the bracerbecause while she wore it, her entire arm seemed almost impervious to physical damage.
She frequently tossed it over her shoulder; she sometimes tossed it into the Ablayne. No matter where she threw it, it always returned to its keeper.
Its keeper was not Kaylin. It was Severn.
Today, she handed it to Bellusdeo instead. Bellusdeo didnt exactly argue when Kaylin dropped it, but she clearly didnt approve of the casual way Kaylin treated the artifact.
You mean to heal her.
I mean to try, yes. She has a very Barrani attitude toward healing. She considers it intrusive.
It is intrusive.
I didnt say she was stupid. I might in the very near future, though.
Kaylins power had been used extensively the day after the disastrous attack. Moran had been absent from the infirmary, and the mood of the Hawks working in its crowded environs had been a blend of determination and gloom. Moran was not particularly fond of Kaylins healing ability; she seldom allowed Kaylin to heal at all. But First Corporal Kirby, the Aerian who had taken over the infirmary in Morans absence, was more of a pushover. He was only a little older than Kaylin, and he lacked Morans wintery presence and absolute authority.
Since Moran hadnt been present, things had gone more smoothly. If over two dozen officers of the law had died, many, many more had been injured. Moran felt that setting bonesarms, legs, ribs, collarswas her purview. She was less sanguine about burnsespecially those that involved flight feathers or wings.
Kaylin had insisted she be allowed to heal the men and women who were not guaranteed to survive. She tended to severe burns and the infections that came with them; she was allowed to heal crushed limbs and fractured skulls. Kirby approved it all, while muttering Moran is going to kill me under his breath.
No one had questioned Kaylins work in the infirmary, though the use of her power was not entirely legal. Kaylin was not yet a member of the Imperial Order or the Arcanumand she would rather die than join the latter.
In theory, there were strict laws that governed the use of magic in Elantra. But in practice, the use of magic wasnt easily quantified. It was therefore very poorly governed.
Even had it not been, it wouldnt have mattered. The Hawklord and the Swordlord were fully capable of petitioning the Emperor for permission; neither had felt the paperwork would be productive or entirely necessary.
The beds had emptied slowly. While Kaylin could healand very effectivelythe process exhausted her, and shed only been able to work on one man or woman at a time.
At least today, if she collapsed on the way home, Bellusdeo could carry her the rest of the way.
The likelihood of that happening was very small if Moran was, as Clint stated, at her desk. Kaylin wanted to believe that Teela had exaggerated. She didnt. Moran, she was certain, should not be at work. Not yet.
* * *
Clint, unsurprisingly, was right: Moran was in the infirmary.
Her left arm was in a sling, and her wings...
Kaylin shook her head. Morans left wing was a mess; the skeletal structure of the limb itself could be seen, and huge sections of feathers were missing entirely. It looked as if half of the Aerians flight feathers were gone. Aerians, like regular birds, did moltbut they didnt do it publicly. As far as Kaylin could tell, it would be the cultural equivalent of taking a bath fully nude in the market fountain. She knew that full regrowth could take months if the feathers were damaged. She was less certain about what happened if they were simply gone.
* * *
Clint, unsurprisingly, was right: Moran was in the infirmary.
Her left arm was in a sling, and her wings...
Kaylin shook her head. Morans left wing was a mess; the skeletal structure of the limb itself could be seen, and huge sections of feathers were missing entirely. It looked as if half of the Aerians flight feathers were gone. Aerians, like regular birds, did moltbut they didnt do it publicly. As far as Kaylin could tell, it would be the cultural equivalent of taking a bath fully nude in the market fountain. She knew that full regrowth could take months if the feathers were damaged. She was less certain about what happened if they were simply gone.
There was no way Moran had flown here. She must have been carried.
Moran glared at Kaylin.
Actually, she glared at everything. She noddedstifflyto Bellusdeo, the gesture weighted with what Kaylin felt was genuine respect. Were honored to have you back among us, she said, startling Kaylin. Her expression softened slightly. We owe you.
Bellusdeos eyes, which were already mostly gold, brightened until they were shining. I have become very fond of the Halls of Law, and of the city. I am less fond of the Barrani High Halls, but if a battle of any significance had to take place within the city
Its better there than anywhere, aye. Youll be going on duty rounds with the private?
I will.
Then youd best drag her offshes going to be late, and the Sergeant is not in a charitable mood.
And whose fault is that? Im right here, Kaylin said.
Moran had an impressive glare.
What, exactly, are you afraid of? Everyone else who was badly injured accepted my help.
I am not
You cant fly, Sergeant.
Not immediately, no. The feathers will grow in.
Kaylin didnt believe it; she wondered if Moran actually did.
I have already had an argument about the state of my health this morning. Two, in fact. If I did not listen to that giant, lumbering cat and I did not bow to Lord Grammayre, believe that I am not going to blithely obey a private.
Teela said you would be out for months.
She was demonstrably incorrect. There is nothing wrong with my hands, my legs or my eyes. I am capable of doing my duty. I cant fly in these rooms, anyway.
Moran, please
No.
But your wings
Do you know why Im a sergeant in the infirmary, Private?
Kaylin did not roll her eyes, though it took effort. Because you can deal with the injured, regardless of their moods or state of mind.
Exactly. You can plead, beg, cry and curse me. I wont be moved.
Kaylin inexplicably felt like crying at the moment. Morans wingswhite and speckled with a brown that almost formed a pattern when the wings were closedwere unique among the Aerians of her acquaintance.
You still have your childish obsessions, dont you?
Yes. Kaylin folded her arms, refusing to feel embarrassed.
Morans eyes narrowed. They were blue. Aerian blue was not the same midnight as Barrani blue, but it meant essentially the same thing. Moran was angry. Then again, Moran was almost always angry.
Where are you staying?
Moran blinked. Pardon?
You cant fly. You can get Aerians to carry you to and from the Southern Reach, but you cant fly back on your own. Given its you, Im willing to bet last weeks pay that you dont even intend to try.
Moran shifted her gaze; it fell on Bellusdeo. There was nothing else in the room to look at, as the beds were all empty.
Bellusdeo held up both hands. I am willing to face Barrani ancestors, Shadows and death. I am not willing to pull nonexistent rank on a private. Please dont askI am here on sufferance, with the understanding that I will not interfere with the privates duties. She spoke in more formal Barrani, though the rest of the conversation had been uttered in Kaylins mother tongue.
Youre a Dragon, Moran pointed out. You dont need rank.
Shes the Chosen, Bellusdeo countered. Her eyes were still golden, although her expression was neutral. Except for the corners of her mouth, which were twitching.
Moran turned to Kaylin. She could look down on the private from the secure position of rank, but she wasnt quite tall enough to tower. I intend to stay here until Ive fully recovered.
No bloody wonder Marcus had thrown a fit. This isnt exactly residential.
It has a roof, and the doors are never completely unmanned. Food is within relatively easy walking distance, and if I need supplies, thats what privates are for.
And where are you going to sleep?
In the Aerie in the halls.
Which you cant reach. Kaylins eyes narrowed a little more with each sentence.
Which is none of your business, Moran snapped.
Fine. Kaylin turned and marched toward the door. When she reached the frame, she turned back. Bellusdeo was still standing beside Moran; the Dragon looked amused. She was the only person in the room who did.
I believe Private Neya is attempting, in her brusque fashion, to offer you a more amenable place to stay while you recover, Bellusdeo said.
I dont need her charity.
Ah.
Kaylin attempted to count to ten. She made it to three. But its okay for me to accept yours?
Im not offering you charity.
Youve offered me help and guidance for years. Youve taken care of me after training accidents. You were here when we almost lost a fight to a Dragon. The small dragon, bored or silent until now, lifted his head and bit Kaylins hair.
You, Moran replied, were here. Taking care of you here is my job. And you werent here for long.
Theres supposed to be give-and-take, Moran.
Sergeant.
Whatever. This is the first time in my entire life that Im able to offer you any help at all!
I dont need it.
Fine. Kaylin turned and walked out.
* * *
If you were a Dragon, Bellusdeo said, youd be steaming the halls. Possibly even melting parts of them.
It irritates me that my help isnt good enough.
The sergeant probably doesnt understand what youre offering. I believe the entire department knew where you were living before the assassination attempt destroyed your home. She might assume you now live in similarly sized quartersand frankly, the ceiling of your old apartment would be nearly crippling for an Aerian over the long term.
Kaylin stomped down the long hall, but slowed her pace as Bellusdeos words caught up with her temper.
I know youre upset at the sight of her wings.
They told me Kaylin exhaled. They told me shed been damaged by the ancestors fire. I didnt actually get to see the damage. Its a wonder she didnt die; theres no way she could keep herself in the air with wings like that.