Michelle Sagara - Cast in Flame

“They attempted to do the same with the Dragons; if I am fair, they attempted to relieve the Dragons of their names first.” Teela began to walk again, taking the hall to the right because the hall to the left ended abruptly in a lot of wall.

“I’m going to assume that failed, since we still have Dragons.”

“It was not notably successful, no. It caused some difficulties with the Dragons.”

“Were there Dragon ancestors, as well?”

“You will have to ask your Arkon,” was the stiff reply. “The Barrani are not keepers of Dragon lore, except where it involves war.”

Kaylin was silent for another long beat. Dragons did not require names to wake. They didn’t require names to live. They just required true names to become their dual selves. She decided that if Teela didn’t know this, she wasn’t about to inform her. Then again, Nightshade was probably listening. Ugh.

He was diplomatic; if he heard, he said nothing.

“If they were that dangerous, how did you kill them?”

“We formed the war bands,” she replied. When Kaylin failed to respond immediately, she added, “You didn’t think they were created just to fight Dragons, did you?”

Since the answer was more or less yes, Kaylin said nothing. “We don’t have a war band here.”

“No. You said there were two?”

Kaylin nodded.

“I’d really like to strangle Nightshade.”

“How would Annarion feel about that?”

“At the moment? Sanguine. He doesn’t, on the other hand, feel it would be easy.”

“Easier than meeting the ancestors head on?”

“Definitely easier than that.” Teela stopped. “Corporal? The halls have not materially changed since we entered them, and I dislike being roped together like human foundlings.”

Severn nodded and unwound his chain. To Kaylin’s surprise, he also released her. He didn’t sheathe his weapons, and the visible scar on his jaw looked whiter and more pronounced than it usually did. The talk of Barrani ancestors had clearly raised the stakes.

Not that they were insignificant to begin with.

Nightshade, are the ancestors still guarding the Long Halls?

Yes.

Are they awake?

I am uncertain, Kaylin. The Castle is in flux.

Where are you, damn it?

I am at the heart of my castle.

And where is Annarion?

He is also at the heart of the Castle. Before you ask, we are not in the same place.

Kaylin hated magical buildings with a loud, multisyllabic passion. Can you come to us?

Not safely—for you. I am attempting to keep the Castle’s defenses at a minimum.

Given the existence of Barrani that even Teela feared, this didn’t seem like a great idea.

If the Castle’s defenses are fully mobilized, it will attempt to exterminate all intruders. This is unlikely to harm the ancestors. It is, however, likely to damage you.

You don’t seem that concerned.

No? I am unlikely to perish here, no matter what the outcome. You, however, are not guaranteed to survive. Do not look for me; look for the runes of the Ancients. It is there you will be safest.

She was silent for a beat, watching Teela’s tense back. The runes are in the heart of the Castle. We’ll need to enter the Long Halls to even get there.

In theory, yes. But remember: you are in a fief Tower now; geography bends to the dictate of will.

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