Page 78 of Cast in Conflict

Starrante looked highly doubtful, and how Kaylin recognized this, she didn’t know.

“It is possible that these new students of yours—”

“Not a student,” Mandoran said quickly.

“—could actually be taught.”

“And me?” Robin asked.

“No, child. It is not just about spinning webs—” or spitting them, Kaylin thought “—it’s about walking the lines. Webs are spun but the lines they draw together are specific. It is not an accident; it is a deliberate choice on the part of the spinner.

“We—Starrante and I, and the rest of our kin—walked those lines from birth. We had favorites, and we were territorial; many did not survive their youth.” He spoke without apparent grief. So, too, the Dragons. “We could not, of course, be what we were with one simple line, but we were capable of learning, and as we did, we were able to combine what we’d learned in new and different ways.

“And no, before you ask, we do not believe it was our experimentation that destroyed Ravellon—our home, and home to many. It is an art that is all but lost. Starrante was a master.

“And we have no young—not here, and perhaps not even in Ravellon. Those of our kin who were not destroyed have become a terrible danger to the worlds.” Kaylin did not want Bellusdeo to hear this.

She is not a fool, and she is not a child, Nightshade said, chiding Kaylin as if she were both. Do not think she does not know.

“It is possible that these students might be capable of learning some small part of the art of walking.”

“Perhaps,” Starrante replied. “But they are new here, and they have not proven themselves in the most basic of subjects. I am willing to revisit this discussion should it become something of true relevance to their interests.”

“It won’t,” a direly familiar voice said. Kaylin didn’t bang her head against the wall because she wasn’t standing near one. She did send a very pointed glare at Mandoran.

“Ah, young man,” Starrante said.

“I’m Terrano.”

“I believe I have seen the traces you have left here in your previous passage.” To Riaknon he said, “I do consider this one promising.”

“He isn’t even a student,” Larrantin pointed out. “And I do not believe he has received permission to enter the library.”

“Clearly he has,” Starrante said, “because he is demonstrably here.”

“I couldn’t get in very far the first time,” Terrano added.

“Did your friends call you?” Starrante asked.

“No,” Serralyn said promptly. “And Mandoran was begging him to stay at home.” She seemed amused by both things.

“I was bored and Sedarias is in a mood, and Helen told me it was okay for me to leave.” He then turned to the Arbiters and offered them a perfect bow. “What did you mean, walk a line?”

Starrante clicked.

Terrano clicked back.

Riaknon froze in place, but all of Starrante’s eyes opened at once; it seemed to be the equivalent of hair rising.

Serralyn said, “Show off.” In Elantran, of course.

Mandoran snorted. Valliant, however, said nothing; of the three he was most likely to pass for Barrani normal.

“In a fashion, it’s impressive,” Larrantin said. “I could not make the alterations that would allow me to speak to Starrante on the fly, and there are risks should I choose to make the attempt otherwise. You are not, however, a student here.”

“I could apply?”

“You could, yes. I am not entirely certain that I would support your acceptance, but,” he added quickly as Serralyn opened her mouth, “I believe you would have supporters among the student body.”

---