Page 3 of Cast in Conflict

“We’ll get more. Come on.” As they continued their patrol beat, Severn added, “What are you worried about now?”

“Sanabalis.”

“The Arkon.”

“Fine. The new Arkon. I hate titles. Why do we need to have fifteen different ways of calling a person?”

Severn shrugged. “I didn’t create the rules.”

“No. I want to have a few words with the idiots who did, though.”

“You won’t get to finish the first one—they were all Dragons. Besides, you’re Kaylin, Kaylin Neya, Lord Kaylin Neya, Corporal Neya or just Corporal. You’ve got more than one. You were saying?”

“The Arkon’s magic lesson was mostly about Bellusdeo.”

“Why?”

“He expects me to know what she’s doing when she’s not with me.”

“Not a good bet.”

“He’s my superior. He doesn’t have to bet.”

“No, he doesn’t. They should have some sense of her movement, though.”

“That’s what I said! Sanabalis—sorry, the Arkon—wasn’t amused.”

“You called him a spy?”

“No! But—I might have used the word spying. Look, it’s descriptive, okay?”

Severn was smiling as he shook his head. “Are you trying to make sure you never have to talk to anyone above your pay grade?”

Kaylin shrugged.

“You’re worried about Bellusdeo.”

The shrug was tighter. After a long pause, she said, “Bellusdeo’s worse than Teela. I worry at her, she’ll probably bite a limb off. One of mine,” she added, in case this wasn’t clear. “I think they both find it insulting.”

“Dragon and Barrani. We’re mortal.”

“But I have the marks of the Chosen!”

“Which you don’t really know how to use, yes.”

“Aren’t you worried?”

“No. I don’t live with Bellusdeo, and the Emperor hasn’t tasked me with any part of her safety. She’s a better fighter than most of the Dragon Court, though.”

“How do you know that?”

“I’ve watched them. What do you think she’s doing?”

“I haven’t been thinking. Much. Helen won’t tell me,” she added.

“Helen does tend to protect privacy, yes.”

“Not mine.”

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