elantra: High Lord, Consort, Evarrim and Ynpharion

Cell-shaded illustration of the scene between the High Lord, the Consort, Lord Evarrim and Lord Ynpharion from Chapter 21 of Cast in Flame by Michelle Sagara.

The title of the painting is "The building’s name is...Helen", and it was inspired by the following passage:

It [the building] has six points, Ynpharion told her, if it is symmetrical.
It looks nothing like Helen.
Helen?
Damn it. The building’s name is Helen.

Ynpharion coughed. Sadly, the cough was not entirely on the inside of his mouth. It is your influence, he told her sourly. And of course, I will bear the consequences. He dropped into an instant bow. “Apologies, Lord.”

“There is very little that is either amusing or outrageous occurring to my knowledge,” the High Lord replied. “You will, of course, explain.”

Ynpharion didn’t want to explain anything in front of Evarrim—and Kaylin didn’t want him to, either. It was the second time this evening that they were in lock step. Evarrim is less of a concern than the displeasure of the High Lord.

Kaylin didn’t believe it. I’m not going to stop you. I’m not going to try. But—I don’t trust him.

Of course not, was his impatient reply. The miracle of you is that you trust anyone at all, and survive. “Lord Kaylin believes that the building’s name is...Helen.”