Page 54 of Cast in Conflict

“It has. I consider it, at a local level, a vast improvement.”

“I am uncertain; the consequences have yet to be felt. But I’m curious about the buildings on the streets that lead here. Bellusdeo tells me that such streets now extend to the edge of every fief.”

Nightshade nodded.

“The Academia would seem, if geography is to be believed, to now exist between the fiefs of Nightshade and Liatt.”

“Yes. It would. My fief—I cannot speak for Liatt’s except in the usual way—has not been altered in any way. If I do not take the streets that turn towards the Academia, I will now end up in Liatt.”

“So, a pocket space?”

“Again, I hesitate to answer questions when my ignorance is so profound. It is my belief that it is a pocket space, a pocket dimension—but it is now reachable in a purely quotidian way. If there is a portal—or portals—from our fiefs to the Academia, they are extremely subtle.”

Durant, frowning, nodded. “I noticed none on our walk here. But the buildings are in good repair. They are empty?”

“They will not remain empty, according to the chancellor, but they are considered part of the larger campus property.”

Durant shrugged.

“You hoped to have some put to use?”

“They’re in good repair,” the mortal fieflord repeated. “And that cost none of Durant’s resources. Yes, I would have attempted to have them used. Prior to this, no one wanted to live in the border zone, even if the buildings were in decent repair. I don’t blame them—I wouldn’t, either.”

“There is only one place you might live. It is the same with me.”

Durant nodded. “We had no problems with Shadow or its incursions from the border zones. We did watch, but admittedly in a desultory fashion; we’ve no history of any difficulties that weren’t caused by idiots.”

Kaylin pointedly did not look at Mandoran.

Bellusdeo had said nothing during this time, but seemed to reach a decision. “I am early for my appointment to meet with the chancellor, but my appointment consists of a report on the accessibility of Durant.”

“Accessible to the Academia?” Durant’s eyes couldn’t change color, but in this case, his tone remained friendly.

“Yes. It is a school on a grand scale, and it has only recently opened to students.”

Kaylin didn’t hear the rest of the explanation; she caught sight of Killian. Surprised to see him outside the large building in which she’d first met him, she broke away from the group and headed in his direction. Mandoran followed; Severn chose to remain with Bellusdeo. This wasn’t a situation in which a partner was either mandated or needed.

Killian smiled as she approached.

“Lord Kaylin.”

“Please don’t.”

The smile deepened. “Kaylin, then. The chancellor informed me that the correct use of titles for our visitors was necessary.”

“Corporal Neya would work. But I prefer plain Kaylin.”

“I believe he feels that the greater title is the one that is used as a gesture of respect.”

“Well, I believe that the preferred title is the better way to go.”

Killian was almost green-eyed; he lost the obsidian eyes of an Avatar. “In general, so do I. But the chancellor believes any gesture of respect for outsiders is necessary. You are to speak with him.”

“I think so?”

“Ah, apologies, Kaylin. That was not a question. He has time, and I believe he is now expecting Bellusdeo.”

“She has two fieflords with her.”

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