“Oh. And you therefore went in civilian clothing?”

“I will be, today. Look, she’s a harmless, gentle old lady who brings us food. I mean, we all thought she was a bit dotty, but if she is, so am I.”

“No argument there,” Mandoran cheerfully added.

Sedarias, eyes far too dark, said, “We are trusting An’Teela and ask that you do the same. You are Lord Kaylin, but you are not Barrani.”

“I approve of that,” Mandoran said. “Most Barrani are boring if they’re not trying to kill you—present company excepted, of course.”

“I might consent to be less boring if you do not stop interrupting me.” Given the color of Sedarias’s eyes, she wasn’t joking. Mandoran rolled eyes, but fell silent. “Teela understands what will—or will not—cause political difficulty, both for us and for the Barrani.

“But we don’t expect that this is entirely political; there is too much cohesion of approach. Azoria is not a name that is spoken aloud among those of our kin who did not spend centuries jailed in a Hallionne. If Teela judges whatever it is you can, or cannot, see to be truly dangerous, she will ask you to stop your investigation as it touches upon Azoria.

“She won’t stop you from attempting to somehow free the dead. The mortal dead are not our dead; they are—or were, to our minds—children’s stories. We are willing to believe that you—who bears the marks of the Chosen—can see them; we are therefore willing to believe that they exist. But if they can be somehow set free without perturbing or terrifying the rest of the Barrani, please, please do so.”

“If it can’t?”

“If it can’t, we will at least have forewarning and we can plan our own defenses at that time.”

“There’s only one thing.”

“And that?”

“Tomorrow I’m not escorting Mrs. Erickson directly home.”

“Oh?”

“I have an appointment with Lord Sanabalis.”

“The Arkon,” Teela added. “You should learn to use the title.”

“Fine. The Arkon. I have an appointment with the Arkon. I’ve asked him to assess Mrs. Erickson for magical potential.”

After a brief silent pause, Sedarias grimaced. “I would hardly think that would be worth his time, given both her race and her age.”

“Luckily, I haven’t asked the cohort to assess.”

“It’s Sedarias,” Mandoran said, earning a glare from Sedarias herself. “She thinks about things in a purely utilitarian way.”

“If I did that, I would have gotten rid of half of you already!”

Terrano snickered. “What? I’m allowed to laugh—I’m part of the half she’d ditch. Sedarias likes a smooth and obedient chain of command.”

“It’s a wonder she never strangled you.”

“To me, too. But I was the most...flexible of all of us. I was the first to be able to escape Alsanis.”