Page 214 of Cast in Conflict

“That’s why you did it—but...”

“Perhaps it is Karriamis to whom you should speak. Had he made his decision earlier, we would not have been in as dire a position. I was always willing to take command of the Tower; he was the one who hesitated.” She glanced at the silent—and notably stiff—Emmerian, and Kaylin remembered just how much immortals of her acquaintance appreciated being in debt.

“Should we send Maggaron?”

“No. As I said, I’ll come collect him. I would like to speak with Helen again, and I’m not sure that’s possible from the Tower.” She lowered her head briefly. When she lifted it, her eyes were copper-colored.

Emmerian stood when food faded from the table, the dishes slowly becoming transparent as they watched. His eyes were orange-gold, although when they met Bellusdeo’s they also shaded toward copper. He offered her a perfect, Imperial bow—a bow reserved, to Kaylin’s knowledge, for use in the presence of Emperors.

Bellusdeo said nothing.

When they were at the door, Karriamis appeared. “I would like to have further words with you, Chosen.”

“I’m beat,” she replied. “I need to go home and fall over.”

“Ah, you misunderstand. I merely mean I hope you will visit again. Soon.”

“That’s up to Bellusdeo.”

“No, Lord Kaylin, it is not.” His voice was soft. “She was queen once; queens do not beg. She will, I am certain, accept a visit from you at any time you choose to do so—but she will not ask. It is not, yet, in her.”

Kaylin exhaled.

“You are thinking I will not be much company.”

She’d been thinking exactly that. “She gets bored and restless pretty easily.”

“She will be far less bored, now. This is what she was meant to do. Ah, no, not the captaincy of a Tower, but rather, the war against Shadow. Against the outcaste. She will have less time to fret here, and less time to feel...helpless or without purpose. But even so, I believe you have been good for her. She was safe within your domicile; she will be safe within my borders. As will you. But return in a day or two.”

Kaylin nodded. And left.

“You have had a very, very eventful day,” Helen said, when Kaylin reached the front door of her house. This would be because Helen was standing in front of it.

Kaylin nodded and allowed Helen’s arms to enfold her.

“Yes,” Helen said softly, “you will miss her. She will miss you. I believe she will miss Mandoran as well.”

“I knew she couldn’t stay here,” Kaylin said, into Helen’s shoulder. “But I thought she’d leave later. Years from now.”

“She is not dead, and she is not very far away.”

“She probably won’t come to work with me anymore.”

“No, dear. I believe she will have duties of her own, now. And those, she has always required. Come. It’s late.” She drew Kaylin out of the door and the cohort filed in.

“You think they’ll be fighting?” Kaylin asked, when they had disappeared.

“More than they are now?”

“Something like that.”

“No. Not tonight. Not all of the cohort were attached to Bellusdeo, but some of them were, and they understand the sense of loss because they can all feel it, even if they don’t agree.

“They don’t like goodbyes.”

Neither did Kaylin.

“I know. I know, dear.” She looked up. “Lord Emmerian. Please come in. I assume you’ve also eaten?”

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