Teela nodded. “Understand that if I broach this subject with my former confederates, I cannot entirely control the direction the inquiries will take. Would that be an acceptable risk to you? You are well aware of the difficulties they can cause, having been subject to them in the recent past.”

“I am. I have weighed the risk, and I do not believe the threat they pose could rival the threat that she once posed. In the worst case, they would have killed me. That would not harm the Lake.”

Kaylin stared at her for some time before remembering she had to blink. She had always understood how seriously the Consort took her responsibilities, but...to consider her own life of lesser value was unexpected.

“Yes,” the Avatar said, almost fondly. “There is a reason most fail the tests. There are those who do not value their lives—but they, too, fail; life must have value to them if they are to husband and guard the Lake. The Consort does not wish to throw away her life; she values it, and finds joy in it. But better that than to lose the eternity of possibility inherent in the names.”

“She can’t hear you, can she?”

“No. I, too, owe you a great debt. My responsibility and devotion must be given to the Consort—and indeed, there is joy in that. But were it not for your intervention, I would not now be here to protect the Lake and the woman who tends it. Your thoughts are clear, even to me, but none of them are turned toward harm. The Lake accepts you; in an emergency, you could be called upon to deliver the breath of wakefulness to the young. In her fashion, the Consort trusts you—but she thinks you are naive and idealistic, in a world where that is not an advantage.

“I will not reveal that which you do not wish revealed unless and until it becomes critically relevant. But I agree—the cohort, and your Terrano, are possibly the best source of information. I am uneasy; An’Teela’s concern is almost fear—and that is very, very rare.”

“Do you know anything about this flower?”

“No. I am not of the green, nor have I ever been. We do not move around very much,” he added, almost apologetically. “But I have captured too much of your attention; attend the Consort now.”

“I hoped, when I first asked you to join An’Teela, that I could convince you to halt your investigation. An’Teela’s words and demeanor have convinced me that this would be unwise. I will bespeak the High Halls to make certain they are aware of the possible danger. I believe Terrano regularly attends the Avatar; perhaps Terrano might be willing to talk about his own highly unusual research, undertaken during his long stay in Alsanis.”

“We call it captivity in Elantra,” Kaylin said, before she could stop the words from leaving her mouth.