“No, that is true—but I fail to see how such conflict would resolve anything. I have come to understand that in some fashion it does, but I would rather not be part of it. Our people do not weather isolation as poorly.”

Kaylin glanced at Bakkon. He had spent far longer enclosed in his library—alone—than the Arbiters had, together.

“If Starrante feels it is unwise, perhaps you should reconsider your questions,” that Wevaran said. “Larrantin is of the younger races, and he may react in a hostile fashion.”

Kaylin shrugged. It wouldn’t be the first time a teacher had verbally attempted to flay her alive. “Killian won’t let him kill me. Or injure me too badly.”

“Larrantin is perfectly capable of leaving the Academia at this point,” Killian pointed out, materializing behind the two Wevaran. “The chancellor is willing to allow you the use of the conference room—and he suggests that you ask Larrantin to attend you there. Having students witness a professor losing his temper would not, in the chancellor’s opinion, be good for morale.”

“Does the chancellor recognize the name?”

“In passing. I do not believe he had direct interaction with the student in question.”

Student. Kaylin slowed as the word sunk roots. “If she was a student here, you must have information about her in your own internal records.”

Killian said nothing.

“Helen remembers all her tenants.”

“And does she speak about them to you?”

“Sometimes?”

“She speaks of her own responses to them—but they are dead, and cannot be hurt. Even so, she does not speak of their personal matters.”

What were personal matters to a building that could read the minds of anyone who happened to be standing inside of it?

“I believe Helen will be able to clarify. Yes. I knew Azoria—but only as well as I know you, Terrano, or Serralyn. Understand that students have their own reasons for desiring residence in the Academia—but they seek knowledge. Their search spawns new searches, illuminates new corners, adds to the history of research and learning.

“Why they seek that knowledge is not for me to judge; it is why chancellors exist. Do not ask me what Azoria wanted. I cannot answer. I am willing to discuss her grades, her promotion, the avenues of her study—but that is all. And even those I will disclose at the discretion of the chancellor, alone.” His expression was somber. “I am sorry, Lord Kaylin.

“This is the way I was built.”

09

The chancellor was only barely of a mind to allow them the use of his conference room, and Kaylin was almost certain he did so only because Starrante requested it; had Kaylin been on her own, she was fairly certain Killian would have been asked to see her to the figurative door. Lannagaros’s expression was thunderous. It was still more friendly than Kavallac’s had been at the end.