“And now?” Kaylin asked, her temper in check because she immediately thought of Margot the Elani street charlatan, which always soured her mood.

“There is no question in my mind. I have never met a mortal shaman—but in my existence, I have met only one who would qualify as a shaman at all. The purpose was not to seek the spirits of the departed—that is not the way our kind, or the Barrani, work. The words that are our breath of life return to where they were first placed by the Ancients who were responsible for the creation of our race.

“But where there is thought and will and even fear, there is study. This would not be considered auspicious.”

“Among Dragons?”

“Ah, no. You mistake me. Among Dragons it would be considered impossible. As such, the mages of the Imperial College may well have considered the information they were given highly suspect—many are the students who desired a place in the College in Mrs. Erickson’s childhood. But I cannot doubt what I have seen. If Mrs. Erickson is amenable, I would like to conduct those tests, but perhaps in a less...fraught...environment.

“And now, Corporal, I must ask the obvious question.”

Kaylin knew what it was, but waited.

“What will you do with the...words you now carry?”

“Take them home,” she replied. “If they agree.” She glanced at Mrs. Erickson. Mrs. Erickson nodded and began to speak, asking questions in Elantran, but receiving answers in a language no one present could understand.

“When the Ancients provided their blood to activate this mirror,” Kaylin began.

Sanabalis lifted a hand. “We will not discuss that here. While the room is secure, there are cracks in the protections; I believe you are aware of at least one.”

“But the Arkon said—”

“The Arkon says,” Sanabalis rumbled.

“Yes, sir.” She hesitated. “I don’t think the words are dead. I mean, I don’t think they’re whatever ghosts are for gods.”

“And I’m certain you have very solid reasons for that,” he replied, in a tone that implied the opposite. “I do not see what you see, and I am reluctant to begin the magicks that would allow me to apprehend True Words, given the events of the day.”

“Were you aware of them?” Terrano asked, interrupting them, the question meant for the recently possessed Dragon.

“Yes.”

“And Mrs. Erickson’s interpretation is right?”

“I find it exceedingly gentle, given events—but it is clear to me that whatever possessed me could hear her—and only her. I do not think Kaylin would be in possession of new words were it not for Mrs. Erickson. I envy you, ma’am,” he added to the older woman, his voice softening.

“And not fear?” Teela asked, her voice soft in an entirely different way.

“There is an element of fear, yes—but I consider that pragmatic. I will need to confer with the Dragon Court.”