Page 102 of Cast in Conflict

Mandoran grimaced. “I really wish you hadn’t said that.”

“Oh?”

“Among our kin, it’s not considered a compliment.”

“I am not responsible for your reaction to my words; that lies with you. Or in this case, with your Sedarias. Regardless, for today, we are done. You may see yourselves out; I have much to think about.” He rose. “And you may tell Sedarias—or whoever feels they have the merit to captain a Tower, to captain me—that they may take the risk that Bellusdeo has taken. They may visit in person.”

The walk back from the Tower of Candallar was not as quiet as the walk there had been. Bellusdeo was silent until she passed through the portal that led to the fief; she offered Kaylin an arm and a shoulder as Kaylin also passed through the portal. The passage was rough.

There was no way, in Kaylin’s admittedly minor experience, that Karriamis would do what Tara had done: take the risk of opening up the Tower to unwanted guests in order to allow Kaylin a single entrance that didn’t rely on portal magic.

But when they had left Candallar and entered Tiamaris, the woman in gold plate armor turned to the man in blue plate armor, her eyes once again orange-red.

“Why didn’t you say anything? Why did you let him talk to you like that?”

“Because he is not wrong,” Emmerian replied.

“He is wrong in every particular!”

“I did stand back. When he tested you, when you were...in distress, I waited.”

“And that somehow makes you unfit?”

“I intruded on Helen’s sanctuary. I...lost my temper. It has been a long, long time since I’ve experienced such a loss. If I cannot remain in your presence and allow you to be who, and what, you are, I have no business being in your presence. You are not, Lannagaros’s opinion aside, a child. It has been some years since you have been one.”

“And?”

“Adults make their own decisions, weighing the possible consequences. Mandoran,” he added, glancing at the silent member of the cohort, “understood the nature of the consequences to you before I did or could. My concern was your health, your well-being; I did not think that the Tower was intent on causing you physical injury.

“Mandoran understood where the true danger lay. Had Kaylin been killed as collateral damage, it would have harmed you in ways that mere physical injury would not. You would, if you survived, heal from physical damage. The...other damage would have been profound.”

“What did he mean by guardian of your race?” Kaylin asked.

Both Dragons swiveled toward her, their eyes the distinctly unfriendly color.

“Forget I asked.”

“Karriamis was not wrong,” Emmerian said again. “What would you have said were you in my position?”

“I said it,” was the curt reply. Bellusdeo stared at Emmerian for one long moment, and then pulled ahead, picking up the pace in a way that would have been punishing for any mortals not used to spending an entire day on their feet.

Helen was waiting at the door when they arrived, her eyes obsidian, which was never a good sign. “Dear,” she said, to Mandoran, not Kaylin, “what exactly did you do?”

He shrugged. “I tagged along with a Dragon and a person who can’t stay out of trouble to save her own life?”

Helen frowned. “Things have been a bit...uncomfortable here. I believe your friends are arguing.”

He groaned. “Look, I’m just going to go for a walk.”

“I believe they’re expecting you.”

“That’s why I’m going to go for a walk. Somewhere safer and quieter. Like, say, Ravellon.”

Bellusdeo smacked the back of his head. “Not even as a joke,” she said. She didn’t look angry.

“Lord Emmerian, I am not certain this is the best time for a visit. I am sorry.”

Emmerian nodded.

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