Traitor's Moon

giving the same assurances day after day. If you will not allow us to mine, then sell us your iron and let our ships come to Gedre to get it.”
    â€œAnd so it goes,” Seregil muttered. “The war could be lost before we can get beyond whether or not Klia is personally responsible for Corruth’s murder.”
    â€œAre there any plans for tonight?” Alec asked, glancing nervously in Torsin’s direction.
    â€œWe’re to dine in Khaladi tupa. I’m actually looking forward to this one. Their dancers are exceptional.”
    Alec settled back with an inward sigh. The shadows crept a few more inches across the floor as Rhaish í Arlisandin and Galmyn í Nemius of Lhapnos launched into a verbal battle over some river that divided their lands. The argument ended when the Akhendi stalked from the chamber in a rage. The outburst signaled the end of the day’s debate.
    â€œWhat did that have to do with Skala?” Alec complained as the assembly broke up.
    â€œBalance of trade, as usual,” Torsin told him. “At the moment Akhendi must depend on Lhapnos’s goodwill to float goods down to port. If and when Gedre opens, then Akhendi will gain the advantage. That is only one of several reasons why Lhapnos opposes Klia’s request.”
    â€œMaddening!” Klia muttered under her breath. “Whatever they decide in the end, it will have more to do with their troubles than ours. If we were dealing with a single ruler, things would be different.”
    Their host of the evening swept down on her, and Klia allowed herself to be led aside for a private conversation.
    Seregil gave Alec a questioning look. “You’ve been waiting to tell me something, I think?”
    â€œNot here.”
    The walk back to their lodgings seemed a long one. When they were finally alone in their room, Alec closed the door and leaned back against it.
    â€œI met a rhui’auros today.”
    Seregil’s expression did not change, but Alec detected a sudden tightness at the corners of his friend’s mouth.
    â€œHe asked that we come to the Nha’mahat tonight. Both of us.”
    Still Seregil said nothing.
    â€œKheeta hinted that you have—bad feelings about them?”
    â€œBad feelings?” Seregil raised an eyebrow as if considering Alec’s choice of words. “Yes, you could say that.”
    â€œBut why? The one I met seemed kind enough, if a little eccentric.”
    Seregil folded his arms. Was it Alec’s imagination, or was he trembling slightly?
    â€œDuring my trial—” Seregil began, speaking so softly that Alec had to strain to hear. “A rhui’auros came, saying I was to be brought here, to Sarikali. No one knew what to think. I’d already confessed everything.…”
    He faltered, and the hint of a dark memory traveled to Alec across the talímenios bond; his vision darkened as a burning stab of panic constricted his chest.
    â€œThey tortured you?” Memories of his own experiences added to the leaden weight settling in the pit of his stomach.
    â€œNot in the way you mean.” Going to a clothes chest, Seregil threw back the lid and rummaged in its depths. “It was a long time ago. It doesn’t matter.”
    But Alec could still feel the sour tang of panic clinging to his companion. Going to him, he laid a hand on Seregil’s shoulder. The man sagged a little under the light touch.
    â€œI just don’t understand what they want with me now.”
    â€œIf you’d rather not go, I could make some excuse.”
    Seregil managed a lopsided grimace. “I don’t think that would be wise. No, we’ll go. Together. It’s time you did, talí.”
    Alec was silent a moment. “Do you think they can tell me about my mother?” The words came hard. “I—I need to know who I am.”
    â€œTake what the Lightbearer sends, Alec.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    The strange, guarded look came into Seregil’s eyes again. “You’ll see.”

22
D REAMS AND V ISIONS
    T he minor clans had no official voice in the Iia’sidra, but they were not without influence. The Khaladi were among the most respected and fiercely independent; Klia considered them an important potential ally.
    At Sarikali they occupied a small section in the eastern part of the city. The khirnari, Mallia ä Tama, met them at the head of what appeared to be her entire clan and