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Kaylin had, for reasons considered perfectly obvious to everyone even loosely acquainted with her, never been to the Human Caste Court before. Had the choice been hers, Kaylin would have continued with this behaviour pattern. The Hawklord had quickly learned to send other Hawks to handle investigations that required 'finesse'. Despite this, Kaylin was - yet again - wearing the dress she had worn back from Nightshade's - which thankfully had sleeves - although Teela had permitted her to wear her tabard over top. With effort, she could ignore the material swirling around her feet with every step she took. Hope was draped across her shoulders as a novel accessory, and although Teela had strictly instructed him not to draw attantion to himself, Kaylin thought the point was moot; Hope had yawned in reply.
There had been some discussion about who was going; Andellen, who wasn't a Hawk and technically shouldn't be involved in their investigation in the first place, was adamant he was traveling as Kaylin's escort; Bellusdeo, who wasn't certain she wanted to meet a pile of self-important mortal nobles a minute earlier than she had to, but refused to leave Kaylin to meet her father without her; and Teela and Tain who were, in fact, investigating. By the time Severn showed up at the door, it was only Helen's insistence that prevented Mandoran and Annarion from joining their already over-sized investigative team. Kaylin's familiar let out his hissing laugh at the negotiations.
Severn might have fallen in step with Kaylin if Teela and Bellusdeo hadn't simultaneously decided to walk on either side of her. Severn narrowed his eyes at them, but wasn't about to start another argument, so he walked ahead of the group. Kaylin snorted at her friends antics while Tain and Andellen fell in at the rear. These weren't the fiefs, and most of them were wearing the Hawk, but when Baranni traveled in a group, with intent, the roads cleared. They quickly made their way to their destination, arriving in front of an ostentatious building that was every bit as pretentiously offensive as Kaylin had feared. The guards were wearing armour that gleamed and Kaylin doubted they could do a damn thing in it. Even from a distance, however, they held the guard's undivided attention. Well, not so much Kaylin, Severn, and Bellusdeo, as their Baranni companions. Kaylin snorted. The guards clearly had no idea what Bellusdeo was.
"Do we really have to go in?" Kaylin muttered, knowing the Immortals traveling with her would all hear the question.
"It is a bit of an eyesore, isn't it?" Bellusdeo mused, not bothering to keep her voice down. "I can think of several ways to improve it."
"If they involve fire, please don't," Kaylin cautioned, not certain how serious Bellusdeo was given the orange of her eyes. Teela smiled, all teeth.
"Nonsense, if this is their exterior, just imagine what fun we'll have once we're inside." Bringing them seemed like a good idea at the time, Kaylin thought morosely. Although, to be fair, she had no way to force them to stay home, even if she hadn't wanted them to come. Immortals didn't do what mortals told them to do, except when it suited them.
"Teela," Kaylin almost begged, "I know what you consider fun and let's not."
"Are you sure?" Teela asked, giving her a very blue-eyed glance. Kaylin realized with some alarm that Teela was perfectly prepared to start a fight and nodded firmly.
"Yeah, let's just get this over with." Teela shrugged gracefully and looked back towards the guards.
"As you like, Kitling. If you change your mind, however, I won't mind." Kaylin grimaced, but since the guards would now be able to hear everything she said, kept the words behind her teeth.
"Imperial Hawks seeking an audience with the Castelord," Severn introduced. Kaylin frowned at the fact that they didn't give their names - although considering they had no good explanation for Andellen's presence, it was just as well.
"We were informed," one of the guards replied with a nod. "The Seneschal will guide you. Please make your way inside." The thick walls instantly blocked the sunlight and Kaylin wondered if they honestly thought that was really going to help them if someone wanted to attack. Unless they were heavily enchanted - and her skin wasn't burning, so she doubted it - it was barely going to slow down a serious attack. They weren't going to keep out Dragons or Baranni with this level of security. Their group was met in the entrance hall by a man in a robe so heavily embroidered Kaylin wasn't sure what colour the base material was.
Please tell me the women's dresses aren't this… Kaylin asked, reaching out for Nightshade. She wasn't sure if she was allowed to call something that obviously expensive ugly, but it really, really, was. Nightshade's rare laughter flowed through the bond.
This is not the venue under which I could convince you of the women's innate sense of style, Erenne, the fieflord replied.
Meaning you'd have to lie.
Meaning exactly that.
Is this why my other dresses were unsuitable? She was instantly a devoted fan of the relatively simple (and practical) Baranni fashion.
Yes, he replied, amused, of course, by her horror. I thought that since you bear my mark there is no need for you to match the Caste Court's… style.
That's not style, Kaylin objected immediately, feeling a rush a gratitude that Nightshade hadn't decided she should wear something this hideous to the damn ball. It was going to be hard enough to make it through the evening without her wanting to shred her own damn dress.
"Lord Seneschal," Severn greeted, bringing Kaylin's attention back to the present. "We have a few questions regarding possible human involvement in the attempted assassination of Lord Grammayre, Lord of the Hawks." The man nodded stiffly.
"The Castelord has informed me. I am to guide you to him upon your arrival. We were not… expecting so many of you," he added, skipping over Kaylin to focus on the influx of Immortals. "You are, of course, welcome." Bellusdeo snorted smoke, making the man's eyes widen. He swallowed hard before turning to lead them. "This way, please." A few servants strode by as they passed, but it was a short walk and everyone of note must already be with the Castelord. Kaylin glanced around curiously, but found nothing to improve her opinion on the Court's sense of style. The corridor widened into an ostentatious throne room filled with people in hopelessly impractical clothes. All of Kaylin's prejudices about the Human Caste Court seemed instantly vindicated and she swore then to never complain about Baranni dresses again. The Seneschal's arrival with them created a disturbance, and people sedately cleared a path between them and the Castelord.
Following behind Severn, with Immortals on every side, Kaylin was effectively blocked from sight from nearly every angle. When the Seneschal stopped before the dais, Teela and Bellusdeo kept walking until they were even with Severn and Kaylin got her first glance at the man who was, apparently, her father. He was older than she had expected. She realized looking at him that he hadn't been young when he had had his affair with her mother, which somehow made the affair worse to her, but it was hard for her to hate an old man. His hair and neatly trimmed beard had gone salt and pepper; Kaylin wondered if had allowed his age to show because of the wizened appearances Sanabalis and the Arkon adopted. His eyes were, despite his age, an intense grey as he examined them, stopping an extra moment on her. She met his eyes, but kept her mouth shut.
"Forgive the intrusion," Teela began in perfectly modulated High Baranni. She didn't raise her voice, but it carried over the rustling of clothes and whispers of the courtiers.
"We are pleased to assist the Imperial Hawks at any time," the Castelord replied evenly. Teela smiled slightly. It wasn't genuine. "Particularly ones as distinguished as yourself, Lord An'teela, and Lord Bellusdeo." There was a murmur as people realized who Bellusdeo was. Kaylin wondered if the Castelord knew how little Bellusdeo appreciated being addressed Lord.
"Of course," Teela replied, accepting the praise as her due.
"I am currently observing the Hawks for the sake of my personal curiosity," Bellusdeo clarified, "but I have sworn no oaths to them."
"Of course," the Castelord murmured. "Forgive my mistake, Lord Bellusdeo." Bellusdeo inclined her head, but said nothing.
"I'm certain you are aware of the assassination attempt recently made against Lord Grammayre, Lord of the Hawks," Teela began, bringing them to the official point of their visit. The Castelord - and Kaylin realized belatedly that she didn't even know his damn name - nodded.
Timaeus, Nightshade murmured.
"We were grieved to hear the news," Timaeus assured them.
"Don't grieve!" Kaylin interrupted, earning flat looks from more or less everyone. "He's not dead," she added more quietly.
"I trust Lord Grammayre is recovering from his injuries?" The Castelord rephrased, still addressing Teela. Which was annoying, but Kaylin was smart enough to admit just might be a good thing.
"Indeed," Teela agreed. "We expect him to make a full recovery. That said, during our investigation into the event, the possibility of human involvement has come to our attention."
"What evidence do you have of this?" Kaylin frowned slightly at the question. Wasn't he supposed to whisk them away so they could speak in private? Was he expecting them to lie outright? Then again, Teela was Baranni. Lying was like breathing to them, so it wasn't an unreasonable expectation. Kaylin felt Nightshade's irritation at the back of her mind, but he didn't comment, so Kaylin ignored it.
"Records from the Aerie show a human arriving with what appears to be a mirror. We believe this mirror was used to allow the assassin to flee the scene of the crime before the praevolo could take steps to apprehend them." Watching his reaction, Kaylin realized that he hadn't known about the mirror because Severn hadn't. That said, he was good. He didn't so much as glance in Severn's direction.
"Your words are concerning," he admitted, and he almost sounded sincere. "What assistance do you seek from our Court?"
"We would like access to your Records on the Arcanists within your court and their fields of study." The Castelord nodded and motioned to the Seneschal who bowed and withdrew. Teela flicked a glance at Kaylin before continuing. "Some of the information is sensitive and you may not wish to have it revealed in open court. It is, of course, your choice." Kaylin heard the challenge clearly and wondered if the Castelord - she really couldn't bring herself to think of him as her father - did as well. She cringed, knowing that in Teela's current mood she would tell the entire court about Kaylin just to piss off Timaeus. Apparently Timeaus caught on. Maybe even the human Castelord needed some brains.
"We will withdraw to my rooms," he acknowledged, standing at last. He was tall, for a human, and stepped in front of them to lead without hesitation. Either he had complete faith in the Law and the reasons the Baranni were in his court, or he was stronger than he looked. Glancing at Severn, Kaylin suspected the latter. Then again, would the Castelord expect Severn to defend him in the event of an attack? Kaylin frowned as she followed them. A servant hurried forward to open the door for the Castelord - who apparently couldn't open the damn doors on his own - and the group entered yet another ornate room. Kaylin thought her sight might blur after being exposed to such ostentatious surroundings. The Castelord took a chair - and something that damn fancy deserved a different name, but hell if she knew what it was - and glanced at Severn.
"Those present are aware of Kaylin's heritage," Severn answered the unspoken question. The Castelord's expression shifted and Kaylin thought he was displeased, but wasn't certain. He met her eyes in silence. Kaylin, having no idea what to say, opted for her rarely used wisdom and didn't say anything.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Kaylin." Kaylin, biting her tongue hard enough to bleed, kept her mouth shut. Meeting him was definitely not a pleasure for her, and she had only learned of their relationship a day ago, so it was hardly a wait. She thought, impulsively and intensely, that if she made it out of this meeting without starting a diplomatic incident she would plan some discussions in advance. Nightshade chuckled through their bond, but she could sense his concern.
Do not make resolutions you have no intention of keeping, he told her, perfectly aware that at the moment Kaylin had every intention of keeping this resolution.
"What are your intentions towards my kyuthe?" Teela asked, at her possessive best, making Kaylin groan and Tain snicker. The Castelord raised a brow at the question. Hope opened his eyes to observe the Castelord.
"Am I not entitled to meet my daughter?"
"The timing of your interest in her affairs could be… relevant," Teela replied cooly, earning her first real frown from the Castelord.
"I am not involved in the attack on Lord Grammayre," he stated, looking slightly affronted, and Kaylin was, despite herself, inclined to believe him.
"You have not answered Lord An'teela's question," Andellen pointed out after a moment, speaking for the first time since arriving at the Caste Court. The Castelord examined him before replying.
"I currently have an heir so there is no need for Kaylin's circumstances to change." Kaylin took that to mean it would be politically awkward for him to acknowledge her at the moment. If she hadn't hated him walking in, his complete willingness to plan her life without reference to what she wanted would have done the trick.
"We would like access to your Records," Kaylin reminded him, not having anything polite to say about her heritage.
"No greeting after finally being reunited with your father?" The Castelord questioned, raising a brow.
"Marcus is my pride-father," Kaylin snapped. The Castelord's lips tightened in displeasure. It was enough to focus the attention of every Baranni in the room on him and - Kaylin hated to note - Severn.
"You would rather have a Sargent for a father than a Castelord?"
"I would rather have a father," Kaylin replied. "Marcus was there. Where the hell were you?"
"The Records are available to you," he eventually commented, rising to his feet. He looked older than he had when he first entered the room, but memories of Nightshade, of the cold, and the hunger, and the fear, held her in place. She watched him leave in silence.