Page 79 of Cast in Conflict

“I would be interested,” Starrante said. “I am not sure what I have to teach can be learned by most of the races, but you and your kin are different. It might work.”

“Are some of the books here yours?”

“No. That is not the way we teach.”

“But...you became a librarian?”

“I did not say I did not revere the knowledge contained herein—but it was not a form of teaching that could be condensed into words. Or perhaps not by us; words were perhaps a third of our lessons, if even that much.”

“But...how did you teach without words?”

“Demonstration, of course. We are a practical people. Or were.”

“Can I at least watch?” Robin asked.

“If it does not interfere with your classes, yes,” Starrante replied, before anyone else could.

“I am against this,” Androsse then said. “No, not you, Robin,” he added, to the crestfallen boy, “but the teaching of Terrano. I do not feel it is either safe or wise, and I would forbid the library to all of those who are...slightly displaced.” He turned to Kavallac, because her vote would be the tiebreaker.

“The boy almost reached the library when it was disconnected from any other world,” she finally said, glancing once at Terrano, her eyes narrowed. “What Starrante sees, I do not see. But you are right—there is a perturbation that was less clear, given the excitement from which we have only just recovered.

“I would agree with you,” she added, “but I do not think the decision is entirely ours. This is a found space. I believe on some level it desired to be found.”

Riaknon was trembling in place. And clicking a lot.

Starrante was still, but it was an unusual stillness; he was silent as well, although he broke the silence eventually. “Remember the first line,” he said quietly to his compatriot. “I am overjoyed to see you well after all this time. You have clearly made adjustments to living in what remains of the world.”

“I live with mortals, yes,” Riaknon replied. “And I will, with your permission and the permission of Lord Liatt, send Zabarrok to visit.”

“If it is only my permission you require, you have it. I believe that the chancellor will also have some say. Zabarrok is living with...mortals. I think I almost have to see him in person to believe it.”

“He does not leave the Tower much, it is true. Aggarok’s presence is strongest there. But I am certain he will make an exception for you. Can you leave this place?”

“Experiments have long been held in abeyance. I can walk the halls of the Academia, and I imagine I could leave this particular building, but I am not at all certain I could now survive once I cross the boundaries. It is not captivity. It is choice, and I chose the library long, long ago.”

“Just as Aggarok chose the Tower?”

“For different reasons, but yes. I believe that mine were innately more selfish, but I cannot imagine being trapped in one place and unable to weave at all for a week, let alone eternity.” He then reoriented his body in Kaylin’s direction. “You have my gratitude, Chosen. I had not thought to see any of my own kin in person again, and memories, even ours, lack substance and warmth; the facts remain but the emotions become extenuated.”

“I had nothing to do with it,” Kaylin said quickly. She’d inferred that Starrante and his kin—like the Dragons and Barrani—were immortal. She wondered if they had True Names, as the two immortal races she knew did. “Bellusdeo contacted Liatt, and Liatt insisted on bringing a guard—Riaknon. Probably because she wanted to be able to escape if she walked into a trap. You can do that, right?”

“I am not confined to this place, yes,” Riaknon replied. “But surely you do not discuss security precautions with strangers?”

“Ah, no. Sorry. I was thinking out loud.”

Mandoran snorted. “The chancellor’s permission was required; make sure to thank him. Do you think the meeting is over now?”

“It is not,” Riaknon replied. “But it’s possible that Lord Liatt has extended the meeting to give me time to greet my kinsman. She wished me to come,” he added, “to ascertain whether or not you had truly survived. She was inclined to believe it, but she is lord, and caution is necessary. Have you tried to weave the external into this place?”

“If you mean can I open a tunnel for Zabarrok, the answer at the moment is a very qualified yes.”

This meant something to Riaknon. It didn’t clearly have the same meaning for anyone else in the room, although Androsse grimaced.

“Qualified how?” Kaylin was left to ask. She’d waited a bit hoping Robin would do it, but he was silent—probably waiting for Riaknon, who had nothing to lose by asking.

“I can open portals and pathways back to the library from anywhere I happen to be standing. I believe Riaknon believes he can do the same—but I would not advise that you try while you are inside the library itself.”

“Understood.”

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