Page 129 of Cast in Atonement

Larrantin’s eyes became a very dark blue. “In this place. In Azoria’s former home. You donned that dress. You were given it here.”

Kaylin nodded.

“And the crown of the Teller?”

She shook her head. “No crown, just this dress.”

“The regalia requires both harmoniste and Teller.”

Kaylin knew that; when she’d traveled to the West March, Nightshade had been chosen by the green to be the Teller, which, given he was outcaste, had caused predictable friction. “If someone was given the crown, they probably traveled to the West March, not here.”

“You are not to wear that dress in the abode of the semi-dead.”

Kaylin’s natural oppositional tendencies kicked in. “If I’d had any choice in it, I wouldn’t be wearing this dress. It’s not like someone popped in, handed me the dress in a neat pile, and vanished. My clothing became this dress!”

Serralyn, who could hear everything because Teela was present, must have rushed Bakkon; he popped into existence before Larrantin could sharpen the point of a pointless interrogation. Kaylin had no answers to give him.

Larrantin now appeared to be torn between lecture mode and research mode. “Your aid would be appreciated,” the Wevaran told the Barrani, hoping to tip the scales in favor of peace. “We have found some of Azoria’s older books, and I admit the research in them is beyond me; it is certainly beyond Serralyn at her current level of education.”

Larrantin allowed himself to be convinced; Bakkon spit a portal in front of the scholar, and made sure he’d entered it before he followed.

Nothing stopped the group that remained from finding the exit; if everything else had been altered, the door, or the shape of Mrs. Erickson’s door, had not—when it could be seen at all. Kaylin thought it would have been invisible before the Ancient had been calmed or stilled, but it didn’t matter. The door opened into Mrs. Erickson’s front hall, and when everyone had cleared it and the door was closed behind them, it opened once again onto a porch that had seen better years.

It was dark. The moons were high, although neither were full. They’d lost daylight hours to the halls, which would have been fine had it felt like that much time had passed.

Emmerian, who had regained his human form, shed it the moment he reached the lawn; he turned back to Evanton, most of whose weight was being shouldered by Tain. Tain walked Evanton to Emmerian, and helped him to climb the Dragon’s back; when the old man was as secure as he could be given a lack of saddle, Emmerian pushed off the earth, into the city sky.

They watched the two leave as Tain rejoined them.

“Is he going to be okay?” Kaylin asked.

Teela’s shrug was pure fief, adopted from Kaylin. “I don’t know. As I said, you vanished. Whatever it was that Evanton did, I assume it was the Keeper’s business. He was—and is—worried. Let’s go back to Helen. We’re going to need to talk to Mrs. Erickson, if Bellusdeo and Helen will allow it.”

Kaylin grimaced. She knew that we meant Kaylin.

She exhaled, looking down at her arms; they were clothed in a shimmering green that seemed to catch the light, not that there was a lot of it left. Severn was no longer wielding his weapons, and he certainly wasn’t wearing a dress.

“It looks good on you, if that helps.”

She glared.

“He’s not wrong,” Teela said.

“Yeah, he’s not helpful, either.”

Helen was waiting by the open door when Kaylin at last crossed her property line and dragged herself up the steps. She was exhausted. Helen understood the significance of the dress because Kaylin did, but her home was concerned.

“We found Evanton,” Kaylin said, as Helen moved to the side to allow everyone else to enter. “Emmerian took him home—he was in dire need of sleep. Or rest. We can check in on him tomorrow.”

“Things aren’t resolved.”

“Evanton doesn’t feel they are, no.”

“And you don’t, either.”

Kaylin nodded.

“Dear, you are practically falling asleep on your feet.” She glanced at the rest of the guests. “I can feed everyone, and if you must continue to speak, at least take a nap.”

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