Page 198 of Cast in Conflict

Severn fell silent.

When Mandoran rejoined them, she almost fell off the Wevaran’s back, he appeared so suddenly. He was the color of old—and bad—cheese, and his eyes were a little too large in the contours of his otherwise Barrani face; they were also the wrong color.

“I think I know what I’m doing,” he told her. He wasn’t shouting, but his voice could be clearly heard, and given the constant presence of roaring Dragons, this said something. “Terrano says Riaknon is on the way.” He spoke in Elantran, but the very Barrani pronunciation of the name caused Bakkon to stumble.

Did he say Riaknon?

Yes. Riaknon is in the Tower of Liatt; he’s been there since the Towers rose.

And he is on his way?

Ummm, on his way to someplace outside of the barrier. I don’t think he intends to cross it.

“A little bit of attention, Kaylin.”

“Sorry—Bakkon knows Riaknon.”

“Fine. Does Bakkon think Riaknon can do anything?”

It is possible, if it’s Riaknon. Starrante could do it—but Starrante is bound. He will not be able to join us.

“He says maybe. Who did you send to Liatt?”

“Nightshade.”

She didn’t swallow her tongue, but it took effort.

“Tiamaris is in the air from the edge of his fief, just in case you haven’t been watching.”

She considered pushing her housemate off Bakkon’s back, but not for long. Is there anything you could tell Riaknon—through us—that might help us?

You could leave, Chosen. It would be better if you did.

Let’s not go there again. Is there anything you want Riaknon to know?

His answer was a cascade of clicks and almost bell-like sounds. She was touching him, and in theory, she could understand him as clearly as he could understand her. None of this odd music, however, made sense to her.

“Nothing I think could be passed on.”

“What did he say?”

She tried to repeat it.

“Oh.”

Nightshade.

I am at the Tower of Liatt. She didn’t ask him how he’d gone from Candallar to Liatt so quickly; she was almost certain she didn’t want to know.

It would not be something you could easily repeat, no. He was amused, but there was enough of a grim, grim undercurrent to the amusement she felt none in return.

Where is the Wevaran?

A very good question. He left the Tower, returned to it in haste, returned to me and ordered me to wait. He then created a web with which you would be familiar and stepped through it, shutting it from behind.

You’re waiting for Liatt?

That is my assumption, yes—and there she is. She is with another of the Wevaran; her daughter, however, is not present. I will leave you now; if there is more information—ah, no. Lord Liatt has just asked me if I believe the Wevaran you are currently riding is corrupted.

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