Traitor's Moon

been planning this maneuver? You notice he’s one of the last to host a feast in your honor?”
    â€œOstensibly in my honor,” Klia said. “He’s invited everyone in Sarikali.”
    â€œI’ve been to Virésse banquets. They may throw us out of Aurënen empty-handed, but at least they’ll show us a good time first. Wouldn’t you agree, Lord Torsin?”
    Caught coughing softly into his handkerchief, Torsin wiped his lips and smiled. “He cannot present his usual collection of foreign entertainments here, but I’m certain he will provide us with a most memorable evening.”
    â€œIf he’s so certain of the decision, why did he have Elos í Orian set a date a week off?” Alec asked. “Why not tomorrow?”
    â€œIt’s the least time allowed before a vote,” Säaban í Irais explained. “As you’ve all observed, the Aurënfaie prefer not to rush into anything. It’s an auspicious number, seven; a quarter of the moon’s cycle, and the time it takes for it to pass into each of the four phases.”
    â€œAuspicious for whom, I wonder?” asked Klia.
    â€œÂ â€˜The same moon shines on all,’ ” Mydri quoted.
    â€œTrue,” Seregil agreed. “And this isn’t over yet; at least we have a little time to sway the undecided. This hunt of yours with the Haman tomorrow feels like a turn of luck to me. Nazien í Hari has already taken a liking to you. He could be a valuable advocate. If he comes around to our side, his vote could make the difference.”
    â€œYet that would mean antagonizing both Lhapnos and manymembers of his own clan,” Torsin reminded him. “I hesitate to put too much stock in his support.”
    â€œTo be honest, my lady, I’m not so sure I like the idea of you going off with them into the hills,” said Beka.
    Adzriel shook her head. “Whatever tensions may lie between my clan and his, I know Nazien to be a man of honor. He will watch over your princess as closely as if she were in his own fai’thast, no matter where they are.”
    â€œAnd I’ll have you and Alec and a whole decuria of soldiers to protect me, Captain,” Klia added cheerfully. “After all these weeks of formalities, I’m looking forward to a hard day’s ride.”
    The waning moon hung low over the horizon as the Skalans and Bôkthersans strolled to Virésse tupa that evening. At Seregil’s suggestion, the entire delegation had dressed in their richest clothes.
    â€œWe don’t want to come in looking like poor relations,” he warned, guessing what lay in store for them.
    Consequently, Klia was decked out like a queen. Her satin gown rustled richly as she walked arm in arm with Torsin. Aurënfaie jewels sparkled at her wrists, throat, and fingers. The gold circlet on her brow bore a crescent set with diamonds that caught even the gentle light of the moon and stars and turned them to fire. She even wore the humble Akhendi charms.
    The rest were equally resplendent. Alec could have passed for royalty on the streets of Rhíminee. Beka, who would act as Klia’s personal aide, was elegant in her close-fitting tabard and burnished gorget and brimmed helmet.
    By the time they reached the Vhadäsoori they could make out lights twinkling brightly outside the Virésse khirnari’s house.
    With Klia and Adzriel in the lead, they skirted the shore of the broad pool and emerged from between the stone guardians on the far side to find their host’s house festooned with mage lights, artfully arranged by some talented hand in clusters among the columns of the long portico.
    â€œIt looks a bit different from the last time I was here,” Alec murmured.
    â€œAt least this time you get to use the door,” Seregil whispered back.
    â€œWhere’s the fun in that?”
    They were met by Ulan’s wife, Hathia ä Thana, and a gaggle of flower-bedecked children, who presented each guest with a small parchment lantern hung on a red-and-blue silk cord.
    â€œWhat a pretty magic!” exclaimed Klia, holding hers up to admire the soft, shifting glow that came from within.
    â€œIt is but a
reosu,
” Hathia demurred, welcoming them in.
    â€œNo magic to it. It’s a firefly lantern,” Seregil explained. “I remember making these on summer evenings as a child. But I don’t recall ever seeing fireflies here in