Alright! Not only do I have this chapter done, but I almost have the next one ready as well! Lady Andellen (I like the name, btw), thanks for the feedback. You're probably right that it was the pace of the last chapter that made it so awkward. Unfortunately, I'm going to keep the action really fast, because for any Nightlin story to work, I need to spend time on character development, and I'm targeting 20 chapters for this story (which means it'll probably be 30). I want to complete this story and I won't if I slow down the pace.
This is a transition chapter, and Severn might be a little OC, but let me know what you think!
BTW - I've decided that I'm definitely going to make this an M story, so I'll shift the rating over the next couple weeks.
Enjoy!
And people call me stupid, Kaylin thought, appalled, but entirely unharmed in the centre of the pillar of fire. Whether it was the necklace, or the familiar, she couldn't say. It certainly wasn't her. She felt the heat of the fire, and if it didn't burn her - and it didn't - it was still damn hot. The fire brushed against her mind, and recognized her. Moments later, the fire's rage reached her. The fire moved, instantly, to the caster and consumed him. Kaylin drew a swift breath then reached out when she saw that the fire intended to continue to burn the Court. The Baranni Lords shifted to face the threat.
"Wait!" She called out, forcing her stiff legs into action. "Don't rampage!" The fire, even at a distance was fiercely hot, but it halted and let her approach.
You are angry, it said. Kaylin thought enraged would be a better word, but let it slide.
"Yes," Kaylin replied honestly, "but not at everyone. I don't know who I'm angry at, yet." The fire waited, unconvinced. Kaylin wasn't sure of the fire understood the concept of directed rage; Kaylin struggled with it, too, sometimes. "If you feel the need to rampage here, I'm going to be forced to try to stop you. We both know that you'd win. I'd just end up dead. Is that what you want?"
No! The fire answered, sounding upset. You are certain you do not want me to burn here?
Yes.
You will call me when you have need? Feeling its hope, and beneath that, its loneliness, Kaylin nodded gently.
I'll call you when it's cold, or dark, or I need something burned, Kaylin promised. The fire shifted from a pillar to the form of a man and raised a hand to brush her cheek.
We will miss you when you die. Which wasn't the most encouraging way to start an investigation. Why not?
I will die, Kaylin acknowledged, trying to hide her grimace, but I hope not for years. It'll certainly feel like a brief time to you, but to me it's a lifetime. My lifetime. They looked at each other. Which was when Kaylin realized she was wearing another Elemental dress. She tried not to flinch.
Sleeves? The fire asked, picking up on her thoughts.
To cover my arms, she replied, knowing the request was petty as she voiced it. It would be nice to have at least one formal dress with sleeves, she thought tiredly. Fire reached out and caught her hands. Concentrating, fire coated her arms, and after a moment sleeves were present. Kaylin felt absurdly grateful. Thank you. The fire looked at her a long minute before disappearing. There was nothing to be done about the dead Baranni, although considering she was wearing an Elemental medallion, she felt his form of attack was truly idiotic. She turned to the High Lord.
"Please forgive the..." Assassination attempt? Death of one of your Lords?
"There is no need to apologize for such a small disturbance, Lord Kaylin," the High Lord assured her. Count on the Baranni to consider the death of a Lord a small disturbance. Kaylin wondered what constituted a large disturbance. Scratch that, she would be happy if she never found out.
"Lord Kaylin," another unknown Baranni Lord said, approaching - and Kaylin swore, then, that she would learn the names of every member of the damn Court if it killed her - "I am not familiar with the current Lord of the Hawks, but given your attachment to him, perhaps you could tell us a little bit about him. We would be pleased to hear what makes him worthy of such loyalty." Kaylin heard the threat in the words and stilled.
"Forgive me," Kaylin replied cooly, "I am not gifted with words, and am certain I can find no way to adequately describe Lord Grammayre to you."
"Perhaps you will tell us how you met," he suggested, and Kaylin wondered then if he knew.
"I met Lord Grammayre when I was thirteen," Kaylin deflected, "and took my place amongst the Hawks once I was of age."
"You are happy serving him, then?" Kaylin couldn't help but narrow her eyes.
"I am. I pity anyone who has not found someone they can offer their loyalty to. Being a Lord of the High Court," Kaylin continued, "I am certain you understand."
"Of course," the Lord agreed, "but I find it hard to imagine this mortal possess much power. What, then, draws you to him?"
"I am not, as you are aware, Baranni," Kaylin told him, as though there was anyone in the room not aware of that fact, "and the things that drew me to him may seem less meaningful to you than they are to me."
"Perhaps you will allow us to judge for ourselves, Lord Kaylin." Kaylin paused, weighing her reply.
"When I first encountered Lord Grammayre, my life was without value, even to myself," she finally replied, not wanting to expose this much, but not having a better answer. "I do not believe that anyone else would have given me a second chance," Kaylin continued, "and had they, it would not have been the same. The person I am today is the person I became in order to prove worthy of my Lord."
"And your oaths to the High Court?" Here, Kaylin faltered because she hadn't sworn any oaths to the High Lord.
"The High Halls are within the confines of the city Lord Kaylin is pledged to protect," the High Lord said, unexpectedly rescuing her. "Any additional oaths to the Court would be superfluous." Kaylin felt a rush of gratitude for the High Lord, but it reminded her of something Mandoran had said recently.
"Are people really trying to kill you?" Kaylin asked the High Lord, tired enough not to catch the words before they came out. Kaylin didn't need to turn to know Teela was very unhappy with the question.
"Kitling-"
"No, but seriously, Teela," Kaylin defended, turning so she could see the Baranni Hawk, "I've never seen a stupid Baranni and I was just wondering what they looked like." Although the Baranni who had just tried to set her on fire might be a good contender. This seemed like a reasonable question, to Kaylin. Teela snorted and the High Lord laughed. The sound was warm, and traveled; Kaylin wished he laughed like that more often.
"They look similar to any other Baranni until they open their mouths, Kitling," Teela answered firmly.
"But-"
"Forgive me, High Lord," Teela interrupted, grabbing Kaylin's arm hard, but still managing to bow gracefully. "My kyuthe is fatigued from her healing. We do not wish to importune the Court any further on matters that concern the Hawk. Please accept our thanks for your indulgence." Kaylin kept her mouth shut and bowed deeply when Teela tightened her grip. She was so going to have bruises tomorrow. They made it out of the room uncontested, surrounded by Baranni Hawks, two dragons, three Aerians and Grethan. Given the colour of their eyes, Kaylin felt like she was travelling with a small army.
"I really don't see what the problem with my question was," Kaylin complained as she was hauled along.
"Of course you don't," Teela muttered. "Thankfully, the High Lord chose to find your comment funny instead of profoundly insulting."
"Why would he find it insulting?" Kaylin asked, working not to trip over her own feet. "Anyone who thinks they can take him on is stupid, Teela." Teela muttered a Leontine phrase, and seeing that Teela didn't intend to answer her, Kaylin turned to Tiamaris. "What are you doing here?" She asked as they made their way to the doors. It was all she could do to keep moving and, as much as she wanted to start looking for the Hawklord's attacker, she knew she wouldn't do anyone any good for the next few hours. Turning to the Dragon, Kaylin found orange eyes watching her carefully.
"When I heard of the attack on your Lord, I wanted to offer you my support." Kaylin narrowed her eyes as she considered Tiamaris. She was tired, and thinking was hard, but she made the effort. He wasn't lying - he would be so pissed if she accused him of that - but he would never enter the Baranni High Court for that. If word had reached the Imperial Court that she was healing the Hawklord instead of guarding Bellusdeo - and someone was going to eat her for that - it would make sense to send someone else as backup. Tiamaris had complained more than once that as the youngest and least powerful member of the court, he was also the most disposable. Maybe it was the narrowing of her eyes that made him add, "I offered to come."
"Bellusdeo wasn't hurt," she pointed out.
"No," he agreed. "It is almost a miracle. It is not, however, solely for Bellusdeo's sake that I am here."
"I'm not going to rampage," she assured him, feeling a little offended, even though there was no denying that she wanted to. Kaylin's stomach dropped when they made it outside and she saw the length of the shadows. She had spent most of the day healing the Hawklord.
"I need to go," Severn said once they had cleared the High Halls. Kaylin felt like she'd been slapped. She stopped and turned to stare at him, certain she'd heard wrong. The Hawks fell in around her, protectively.
"The Hawklord was almost killed," she protested. "Your place is here. I mean, not the front steps of the High Halls, but investigating, with us."
"I've been seconded to the Wolves for the time being, and I cannot afford to be absent any longer than I have been." Kaylin felt like she was looking at a stranger.
"You're a Hawk."
"At the moment I am a Wolf, Kaylin, and my duty is clear." Kaylin said nothing. She understood duty, but even if he'd been seconded to the Wolves, even if he had been a Wold in the past, right now he was a Hawk. She was tired, and stiff, and couldn't find the words; Severn continued speaking. "There are other Hawks who can help you. At the moment, I am the only Wolf capable of doing what needs to be done for this matter." He looked guilty, but that didn't change the fact that he was leaving.
"What's so important?" Kaylin snapped, hurt. "Is it a Hunt?"
"It's not a Hunt," he replied. What else did the Wolves do?
"Yet." She heard the word he didn't say. Kaylin felt cold and wrapped her arms around herself. She felt Teela drape an arm around her shoulders and leaned into her feeling strangely young and lost. It was rare for Teela to hold her like this. The familiar rubbed his head against her cheek.
"Go, Corporal," Tella said, in cool blue-eyed Baranni irritation. "We'll look after the kitling." Severn hesitated and met Kaylin's eyes.
"We'll talk later," he promised. Kaylin nodded numbly.
"Bellusdeo, Lord Tiamaris, Grethan, Lord Andellen, what are your plans?" Teela, of course, made no mention of Severn's decision - although Kaylin was sure there would be a discussion about it in the future - but slowed down to accommodate a very tired Kaylin.
"I need to get back to Evanton," Grethan told them, earning a grimace from Kaylin.
"Tell that bastard I'm going to get him for this."
"No, thanks." Grethan countered, sounding amused. "You can tell him yourself." Kaylin snorted, but waved him off. She would deal with Evanton when she could stand properly.
"If you have things in hand, I would like to return to my fief," Tiamaris answered. Teela must have nodded, because the next thing Kaylin knew Tiamaris was heading off as well.
"I will, of course, offer any aid I can to Kaylin," was Bellusdeo's predictable response. It was Andellen's surprising reply that got Kaylin to focus her eyes on him.
"With Lord Kaylin's permission, I would like to offer my assistance."
"Why?" She asked, too tired to mince words. He seemed to take no offence.
"I owe you a debt, Lord Kaylin," Kaylin grimaced, but didn't dispute the fact. There was no point. "I am aware that you value Lord Grammayre's life above your own. Aiding you would therefore give me an opportunity to discharge me debt." Kaylin closed her eyes tiredly.
"Kitling?" Teela asked, apparently prepared to let her decide. Kaylin nodded.
"He's ok." Which was apparently all Teela needed, because she swiftly continued.
"What about your shadow, Moran?" Teela asked, looking at the strange Aerian.
"You can head off," Moran told Clint and the stranger firmly. "I have clearly made it out of the Baranni High Court unharmed." Clint looked like he had something to say - a lot of somethings, apparently - and the man looked unhappy, but apparently weren't up for challenging the praevolo. They headed for the skies.
"Kitling, Tain, and I will head the investigation," Teela decided, apparently speaking to the Baranni Hawks who now escorted them down the streets. "We will call for you if we need backup." There was a stir, and when Kaylin forced her eyes open she could see the blurry forms of the Baranni Hawks moving away.
"Thank you!" Kaylin called out hoarsely. There was a pause as they acknowledged her thanks then melted into the city.
"We will also need all the Records on the incident," Teela continued. Kaylin was grateful that Teela had taken charge, and even though it was awkward, stayed nestled in the Baranni woman's arms as they walked away.
"All the Records we have of the event are being sent to Helen," Moran told Teela. Teela glanced at her.
"You believe someone betrayed Lord Grammayre?"
"It's possible," Moran replied. "Lord Grammayre is not an easy target."
"We'll need to examine the site," Teela added. "Where did the attack occur?"
"Just as he left the Aerie," Moran said, looking embarrassed. "I was out, or I would have been aware of it."
"I'm not accusing you of anything," Teela told her, "but it'll be hard to investigate in the air."
"That's what I'm here for," Bellusdeo cut in mildly. Teela glanced at her with a sharp smile.
"I suppose there is the odd advantage to being a Dragon."
"One or two," Bellusdeo agreed. To Kaylin surprise, both their eyes had lightened during the exchange. She was never going to understand Immortals. Teela, however, done with the pleasantries, turned her attention back to Moran. "I assume we'll have access to the areas he was prior to the attack."
"Yes, but tomorrow," Moran said firmly. "After that healing, Kaylin can barely walk. It was impressive, by the way."
"I can walk," Kaylin interrupted, which was true. She was leaning heavily on Teela and the street was becoming more blurry as she forced herself forward, but she was walking. She heard Teela sigh when she stumbled, then she was lifted off the ground. "Honestly, Kitling," Teela grumbled speeding up now that Kaylin wasn't shuffling along beside them. "You're always so much trouble."
"You could just ditch me," Kaylin replied bitterly. Teela snorted.
"You're not getting rid of me that easily." Kaylin closed her eyes and let Teela carry her home.