Page 119 of Cast in Atonement

“If they persisted, if they’re eternal in some fashion, how can they be spoken? I mean, when the Ancients spoke, did their spoken words become new iterations? Were there hundreds and thousands of the same True Word just popping into existence?”

“Almost certainly not,” Larrantin said.

“Almost?”

“We did not speak with the Ancients as they spoke to each other. It is possible that they were an amalgamation of the words they contained; that they could not bespeak each other with any ease at all. They were gods, Corporal. Who among us can understand their minds? They created worlds.”

“Worlds have—or had—words.”

“That is the theory, yes. And perhaps they contained not words, but word: something far more complicated, far less accessible, than the names handed down to Immortals over the passage of time.”

Kaylin frowned. “I’m not sure about that. I think the ancient mirrors were created with their blood—and their blood contained words.”

“At another time, I will ask you why you believe that. Now, however, I wish to know whether or not you believe you can scout ahead without being lost.”

Severn said, “She can. I’ll go with her.”

Teela shook her head. “I’ll go with her if it’s necessary; I think it’s a terrible idea. If she must separate, she can still communicate with you.”

“You don’t have the weapons of the green,” Severn replied, not budging.

“You intend to use them?”

“If necessary, the chain can serve as a rudimentary binding. If she gets lost, I’ll be lost with her.”

The two Hawks, Severn and Teela, stared at each other. Kaylin glanced at Tain; Tain shrugged. Neither she nor Teela’s partner were willing to join the silent argument. Kaylin was going to scout ahead; the details could work themselves out.

Coward.

Always. I think it was you who taught me that.

You could end up with both of us, which means Tain will follow.

I don’t think so. Teela respects those weapons; because you own them, she assumes you know how to use them. The Barrani ascribe almost mystical powers to the weapons of the green.

Betting?

Sure.

“Kitling, you’d better not be placing bets.”

Or not. How did she know?

You have a very expressive face, especially when you think you’re going to win.

Teela turned her back—pointedly—on Kaylin. “Fine. You’re far more cautious than Kaylin is capable of being. Do you want the Dragon?”

Kaylin shook her head. “I have Hope. If necessary, Hope can go full Dragon. I don’t want to risk Emmerian unless we think it’s safe.”

Emmerian nodded. He really was unflappable; being talked about in the third person didn’t bother him at all. The only person who caused dents in his self-control seemed to be Bellusdeo. Kaylin was grateful that Bellusdeo had remained with Mrs. Erickson; she imagined the hall would be full of arguing draconic roars, otherwise.

Bellusdeo would not stay behind if Kaylin was going; Emmerian would not stay behind if Bellusdeo was going—which was guaranteed to cause the gold Dragon to lose her temper.

She wondered if Dragons ever had peaceful, quiet relationships, but doubted it. She shook herself free of the thought and stepped through the arch formed of two towering trees, Severn by her side.

20

To Kaylin’s eye, the ground was, visually, very much like Shadow, but it felt like packed dirt beneath her boots. Severn saw packed dirt unless he looked through Kaylin’s eyes. “Hey,” she said to Hope, “could you sit on Severn’s shoulder and cover his eye with one wing?”

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