Traitor's Moon

banquet: musicians, jugglers, tellers of tales, dancers, and acrobats.
    Seregil and Alec remained by Klia at first, watching and listening as the crowd flowed around them. Nazien í Hari was among the first to come to her, and Seregil noted with relief that Emiel and his cronies were not in evidence. Perhaps their khirnari was tired ofhaving his policies challenged in public. Or maybe rumors of Seregil’s beating had reached the old Haman’s ears at last and he was chancing no further transgressions against Sarikali law. Whatever the case, Seregil breathed a little easier without them there, and Nazien was all smiles.
    â€œThe weather promises fair. I hope we can show you good sport,” Nazien said, slipping his arm through Klia’s.
    â€œA hard ride and the chance to explore a bit more of your country will be sport enough for me, Khirnari,” Klia replied warmly.
    Seregil signaled Alec with a discreet nudge and faded back into the surrounding crowd, leaving Klia to charm these potential allies. They had other work to do.
    â€œThis is the most people we’ve been around since we left Rhíminee,” Alec remarked.
    And I’ve missed this
, Seregil thought, already straining his ears for interesting conversational tidbits. He suspected Alec felt the same. He’d already fallen into that unassuming manner that made him all but invisible in such gatherings, but his blue eyes were alert as those of a hound that sensed the chase at hand.
    It was not difficult to linger unnoticed for a moment while Lhaär ä Iriel expressed her continuing opposition to any lessening of the Edict to a sympathetic Haman, or to watch one of their host’s kinsmen gently interrogating a Bry’khan woman as to her feelings about Aurënfaie mercenaries joining the war in the north.
    Alec drifted away for a while, returning with Klia and word that some of the guests were not above grumbling at the extravagance surrounding them.
    â€œI was standing near Moriel ä Moriel a moment ago,” he reported, pointing discreetly at the Ra’basi. Nyal was with her, gesturing animatedly in Beka Cavish’s direction. “She told a Lhapnosan that what we’re feasting on are the spoils that Virésse keeps for itself under the protection of the Edict.”
    â€œI’ve heard others say the same,” murmured Klia. “Still, she’s one I still can’t read. Ra’basi benefits from the trade coming up the eastern coast by ship, even if it is only Virésse’s crumbs. Yet she’s made it clear more than once that the Ra’basi do not like being treated like some dependent clan.” Her expression brightened as she glanced toward the main entrance. “Ah, but here are the Akhendi at last! I’d feared they wouldn’t come.”
    â€œRhaish í Arlisandin doesn’t look very pleased to be back here so soon,” said Alec.
    â€œHe has reason enough not to be,” Seregil agreed. The khirnariwas pale and dour, though his greeting to their host and his wife seemed civil enough. His grey hair was windblown beneath his sen’gai, and he wore the same plain robe he’d had on at the morning’s council.
    â€œI’ll sound him out,” Klia said, going off to meet him. Seregil and Alec trailed behind her, picking up Thero along the way.
    The crowd was thick. By the time they reached him, Rhaish had already been waylaid by Lord Torsin and the Gedre khirnari. Clasping hands with the envoy, Rhaish fumbled his reosu lantern, dropping it at Torsin’s feet.
    â€œAh, the cost of age!” he groaned, shaking his head as he went stiffly down on one knee to retrieve it.
    Klia and Thero both stepped forward, but the princess was quicker. Taking Rhaish’s hand, she tried to help him up. The old man yanked his hand away with a gasp and staggered to his feet. Realizing it was Klia who’d tried to assist him, he bowed deeply. “Forgive me, my dear, I did not see you there,” he said, embarrassment lending a little color to his cheeks.
    â€œWhere is your lady tonight?” Klia asked, looking around hopefully. “I’ve missed her.”
    â€œShe’s been weary these past few days and her women felt it would be best if she remained at home tonight,” Rhaish replied quickly, still flustered. “She asked me to express her regards, and the hope of seeing you tomorrow if her condition permits. I won’t be