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Traitor's Moon

Traitor's Moon

Titel: Traitor's Moon Kostenlos Bücher Online Lesen
Autoren: Lynn Flewelling
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staying long myself.”
    â€œOf course not. It was good of you to make an appearance. I’ve been thinking Amali looked worn out these past few days. You know, there’s a tea Skalan women drink back home to build them up during their pregnancy. My captain might know what’s needed; her mother knows a good bit of midwifery.” Chatting brightly, Klia slipped her arm through the khirnari’s and drew him away in the direction of the iced wine.
    â€œWe have work to do,” hinted Alec.
    â€œI suppose so,” Thero agreed.
    Seregil raised an eyebrow at the wizard. “Anxious to throw your dignity to the wind, are you?”
    Thero turned to study the banquet table. “I’ve been thinking about Nysander’s old tricks. That flock of roast wrens has definite possibilities.”
    â€œOur host is a fastidious man, so try not to make too much of a mess.”
    In the early days of their acquaintance, Thero had been mortifiedby his mentor’s penchant for amusing magical tricks at parties. Now the young wizard attempted the same silliness with a sense of showmanship Seregil would never have credited him with.
    Leaving the food alone for the moment, Thero began instead with the reosus. Approaching a group of Virésse children, he summoned several dozen of the little lanterns down from the boughs of a nearby tree and set them spinning in a circle above the children’s delighted faces. When he had their attention, and that of some of their elders, he brought the lights down into a man-shaped formation and set it capering like a demented acrobat.
    When a sufficient number of bystanders had turned to watch these antics, Alec and Seregil slipped out a nearby door and set off in search of the khirnari’s private quarters.
    Beka saw them go and watched to see if anyone followed. Satisfied that they were safe for the moment, she turned her attention back to Thero, who was now surrounded by a small crowd.
    â€œI think your friend has lost his mind,” Kheeta chuckled as he joined her.
    â€œYou should have seen his old master when he had a drop in,” Beka replied, thinking wistfully of the pretty spells Nysander had concocted.
    Some of the older ’faie seemed to share Kheeta’s opinion. The khirnari of Akhendi stood next to Klia, looking doubtfully from the wizard to the princess, who was laughing gaily, as if Thero played the mountebank on a regular basis.
    Sending the lanterns back to their branches, he proceeded to pull flowers and colored smoke from the ears of the rapt children gathered around him. It was rare to see Thero smile; rarer still to see him playful.
    A familiar muffled cough distracted Beka. Turning, she saw Lord Torsin pressing a pristine handkerchief to his lips as his shoulders heaved. Hurrying to his side, she took his arm and offered him her wine cup. He drank gratefully and patted her hand. His own were cold.
    â€œAre you unwell, my lord?” she asked, noting the fresh stains on the white cloth as he tucked it away in his sleeve.
    â€œNo, Captain, just old,” he replied with a rueful smile. “And like so many old men, I weary sooner than I’d like. I believe I’ll have a little stroll, then make my way home to bed.”
    â€œI’ll send an escort with you.” Beka gestured to Corporal Nikides, who stood nearby.
    â€œThere’s no need for that,” Torsin said. “I much prefer to see myself home.”
    â€œBut your cough—”
    â€œHas been with me a good long time.” Torsin shook his head firmly. “You know how I enjoy my quiet walks under the stars here. With today’s decision …” He looked around sadly. “I shall miss Sarikali. Whatever the outcome, I doubt if any of us shall see it again.”
    â€œI’ll be sorry if that is so, my lord,” Beka said.
    With a last bemused look at Thero, who was now coaxing a dragon-shaped pastry to life, the old envoy went to take leave of Klia and their host. Turning, Beka bumped into Nyal.
    Weaving his fingers with hers, he raised her hand and pressed it to his lips. “I shall be very sorry to see you go. I’ve been thinking of nothing else since the vote was announced this morning. Our parting will be all the worse, knowing that you return to your war, talía.”
    It was the first time he had used the endearment, and the sound of it brought a rush of warmth to her heart and the sting of tears to

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