Page 103 of Cast in Conflict

Bellusdeo, however, said, “It’s not a good time, no. It is a necessary one. If Emmerian enters, can you keep him relatively safe?”

Helen closed her eyes. When she opened them, they were brown. “I’m sorry, dear,” she said, opening her arms to enfold Kaylin in the “welcome home” hug. “Yes, of course I can keep him relatively safe. I have not sent the cohort to the training room, but I am seriously considering it.”

“Definitely going for a walk.”

“Oh no you’re not,” a familiar voice boomed from the top of the foyer stairs. Since it was Sedarias, Mandoran sighed.

“Or not.”

“Come upstairs. We’ve got a lot to discuss.”

“I’ve already heard most of it.”

“You can listen again, but this time, you can pay attention.”

“I was kind of busy,” he said, as he dragged his feet toward the stairs.

“Yes, we know.” She glanced, once, at Bellusdeo and her guest, and turned heel without comment.

“Has she been like that all day?”

“Yes. I believe she is arguing with Terrano, as well.”

“Terrano came back?”

“No, dear. That’s why she’s arguing.” Helen frowned. “Would you like to tell me about your day?”

“Not the long, normal way, no. But you can see it, right?”

Helen nodded.

“Good. I’ve got questions about Towers and captains and tenants.”

“Let me see Lord Emmerian and Bellusdeo properly settled,” Helen said, her expression almost sorrowful. “And then I will meet you on the patio.”

The patio, such as it was, was not actually a normal version of a patio—not that Kaylin had a lot of experience with normal patios, given her life to date. This one was reached from a door at the end of the hall that otherwise contained the private rooms of Helen’s guests. And Kaylin.

Severn had chosen to remain for dinner, but dinner wasn’t going to be served in the dining room; there were too many discussions happening, and some of them required Helen’s focused attention.

Kaylin was therefore down the list. Nothing she could do constituted a possibly dangerous emergency.

“That is not true, dear,” Helen’s voice said. Her Avatar was serving tea—or drinks—to the two Dragons who were now ensconced in the parlor.

“Compared to the cohort?”

“You would, admittedly, have to put in some effort, especially these days. But I have confidence in you.”

The patio no longer contained a dining table suitable for several people; there was a single, round table suitable for four, but only two chairs; Helen didn’t need one. “I may take a bit longer to answer your questions than I otherwise would. What do you wish to ask?”

“Well, Karriamis told me to talk to you about tenants.”

“Yes, I see that. He was perhaps overly impressed with my abilities.”

“We want to know—”

“Bellusdeo wants to know.”

“Fine. Bellusdeo wants to know why Karriamis accepted Candallar as a captain.”

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