Page 133 of Cast in Atonement

“Can you ask the green why it brought me here?”

“I told you—I cannot bespeak the green as you speak; the green cannot answer. The words the green might speak to you are etched on your skin; in no other way can the green communicate, and even then, the use of such language exists almost at the edge of its ability. But the green is alive. It is alive, and it has seen the birth of many, many things in its time. The Ancients are younger than the green.”

Kaylin stared at Evanton, at a loss for words. She had visited the green; she knew the Hallionne Alsanis was somehow linked to the green. She knew that the regalia was offered the Barrani at the whim of the green, or on some schedule that none of the Barrani understood, either. She had never understood the point of it; she didn’t understand the point of it now. But she wore the dress the green had given her before, a symbol to the Barrani that she was the green’s choice.

But choice for what?

“There are ghosts in your house,” Evanton continued, when Kaylin failed to speak. “Taken from an artifact of much older times. You are aware of them, and we are connected for the moment by the will of the green. Mrs. Erickson carried those ghosts to your home.”

Kaylin nodded.

“She calms them, even now; it is to her they look when they are unsettled. She bespeaks what once lay at their core. They were not alive as Mrs. Erickson is; nor as you or I. Life does not have the same meaning to us; it does not have the same meaning to the Ancient. The green is aware of Mrs. Erickson, although the connection is tenuous and easily frayed; Azoria’s interference all but guaranteed that.

“Mrs. Erickson is our best chance at helping the Ancient. Take the words, Kaylin. Take the words she sees as people.”

“What do you mean?”

“You can bear their weight; you can bear them to where they must be carried.”

“You want us to take the ghosts to the dead Ancient?”

“It is what the green wants. The green believes that the Ancient will be at peace should we manage this.”

“How, exactly, am I meant to carry them? I didn’t coax them to my house—that was Mrs. Erickson!”

“The marks you carry are words,” he replied. “Figure it out. You bear the raiment of the green. For a time, and the will of the green, you have a role to play. I am in need of sleep, and this is not exactly restful. If I were younger, I would immediately make my way to your house. Alas, my age is not feigned. I will return to your house first thing tomorrow morning.”

“You don’t have to go back. It’s not worth the risk. I can figure things out with Mrs. Erickson.”

“Yes, you can. I will come to pick you up first thing in the morning. There is too much at risk to leave it in the hands of the young.”

“Wait—before you go, tell me one thing.”

He raised a brow, his expression the familiar, dour one.

“Is Terrano still alive? Is he somehow with the Ancient?”

“It is possible,” Evanton replied. His tone implied the opposite.

Helen woke Kaylin three hours later. Discussion, according to Helen, had occurred, with some unfortunate parts in the middle.

The Academia—or rather, its chancellor—had reached out to Kaylin by mirror. “I’m sorry, dear,” Helen said, as Kaylin got out of bed. Hope squawked, but pushed himself off his pillow; he landed on her shoulders, and went back to his version of sleep, grumbling the entire time.

“Has anyone spoken with Mrs. Erickson?”

“I believe they were waiting for you. Bellusdeo is with Mrs. Erickson.”

Kaylin wilted. “Does she know what happened?”

“Bellusdeo is aware that Evanton returned; she is also aware that An’Teela wishes to speak with Mrs. Erickson. Imelda has been sleeping,” Helen added, in the gentle tone she reserved for their newest housemate. “She has been attempting to comfort Bellusdeo, which takes effort at the moment; she is also attempting to keep the ghosts she brought from the Imperial Palace calm. That has become more and more taxing.”

Kaylin glanced at Helen’s Avatar. “You didn’t ask much about the dress.”

“No. You understand enough of its significance, and your confusion and irritation were quite clear to me.”

“What do you think I should do?”

“I am a simple house,” Helen replied. “In my time, however, the Keeper commanded respect and obedience when he demanded it. I will allow Evanton to visit. And I will—with misgivings—allow Mrs. Erickson to accompany you. She has become, in a very short span of time, quite dear to me. But the Keeper’s worries are clear. She will help you, if given the choice.”

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