The sergeant appeared as if summoned the moment Kaylin opened the basket. On most occasions, this would have given rise to humorous comments, not that Bridget was terribly forgiving of them. Time, however, was a problem now. Kaylin said, “We have an appointment with the Arkon at the Imperial Palace. Today.”

“We?”

“Mrs. Erickson and me. We have to leave now or we’re going to be late.”

Bridget nodded. “Can you leave the basket here today, given that Kaylin’s ‘or’ should be replaced with ‘and.’ No one wants to be late to meet a Dragon; they have bad tempers and notorious memory.”

Mrs. Erickson nodded. “I have three others at home. I’ll pick that one up when I come by tomorrow.”

Teela was waiting for them on the safe side of the public office door, arms folded, shoulders against the nearest wall. Barrani could do this without appearing to slouch. She peeled herself off the wall. “I thought you said your appointment was at 4:30.”

“It is.”

“I thought so. I’ve taken the liberty of calling for a carriage.” To Mrs. Erickson, she added, “I’m Corporal Teela, a friend and mentor of Kaylin’s. You must be the Mrs. Erickson she talks so much about.”

“Oh, dear. I hope she hasn’t said anything bad.”

“About you? Not at all. She is not, I’m afraid to report, impressed with your neighbor.”

Mrs. Erickson winced, and in an effort to change the topic, added, “Are you going to introduce the young man beside you, or is he not with you?”

Kaylin stared at the empty space to Teela’s left. “The young man is Terrano. He’s one of my housemates.”

Terrano looked flummoxed, an expression he retained when he materialized so that Kaylin could see him; she was certain Teela had been aware that he was present.

“I’m sorry—have I said the wrong thing?” Mrs. Erickson asked Terrano.

“Sort of?” Terrano replied. “Kaylin couldn’t see me.”

Mrs. Erickson winced. “I’m sorry, dear—I didn’t realize you were trying to be invisible.” She apologized as if invisibility was a condition one could achieve by wishing for it.

Terrano’s glance at Kaylin said, Is she for real. Kaylin glared in response—safely behind Mrs. Erickson so the old woman couldn’t see her expression.

“Kaylin talks about you a lot,” Terrano then said. Kaylin’s glare became a death glare. “So I wanted to see what you were like.”

“Oh.”

“She’s right, though—you’re definitely different. No,” he added quickly, “it’s a good different, not a bad one.”

“You mean I can see ghosts.”

“And not just ghosts,” he replied. “Because I’m definitely not dead.”

“I’m sure something could be arranged,” Kaylin muttered.

“Not by you,” Terrano shot back, having regained equilibrium. “So...we’re going to the Imperial Palace?”