Traitor's Moon

home of a khirnari.
    â€œForgive my rudeness,” Seregil quickly added, hoping to smooth it over. “But time is of the essence, for Klia’s sake.”
    â€œOf course. I was not thinking. Akhendi will do all in its power to ensure her recovery.”
    â€œThank you, Khirnari.” Motioning for Alec to accompany them, Seregil led the man out.
    Akhendi tupa was modest in comparison to the Virésse, and the faded appointments spoke of better days.
    They found Amali resting on a silken couch in one of the garden courts, picking listlessly at a dish of dried kindle berries while she watched several of her women play at dice.
    She brightened a bit at the sight of her husband. “Back so soon, talí? And with company for me!”
    â€œForgive an unforgivable intrusion,” Seregil said gallantly. “I would not disturb you if it were not of the utmost urgency.”
    â€œThink nothing of it,” she replied, sitting up. “What brings you here?”
    Seregil showed her the bracelet. “My lady, your gift to Klia was well thought of. I believe it can lead us to her attacker.”“How wonderful!” she exclaimed, taking the soiled bracelet gingerly between two fingers. “But what’s happened to it?”
    â€œKlia lost it during the hunt,” Alec explained. “I found it when I went back this morning.”
    â€œI see.” Pressing the charm between her palms, she murmured a spell over it. A moment later she let out a gasp and slumped back against the cushions, face drained of color. “A Haman!” she said faintly. “I see his face, contorted with anger. I know this man: He is here in the city. The nephew of Nazien í Hari.”
    â€œEmiel í Moranthi?” asked Alec, shooting Seregil a victorious look.
    â€œYes, that is his name,” Amali whispered. “Such anger and contempt. Such violence!”
    â€œCan you tell us anything more, my lady?” Seregil asked, leaning forward.
    â€œEnough!” Lips tight with anger, Rhaish tore the bracelet from her grasp as if it were a poisonous snake. “Talía, you are not well enough for this.” Turning to Seregil, he said sternly, “You see her condition. What more do you need?”
    â€œIf she could tell us more of the nature of this attack, Khirnari, it would be of great value.”
    â€œLeave this with us for now, then. When she has recovered her strength, perhaps she can see more in it.”
    â€œI’d prefer to keep this with me,” Seregil told him. “When your lady is well I’ll bring it back.”
    â€œVery well.” Rhaish looked thoughtfully at the bracelet, then handed it back. “How odd, for so much to depend on such a simple object.”
    â€œIn my experience, it is often the simplest things that yield the greatest insights,” Seregil replied.
    â€œWell?” Alec demanded as they walked home with Thero. “I told you he attacked her. There’s your proof!”
    â€œI suppose so,” Seregil mused absently.
    â€œYou suppose so? By the Four, Seregil, she was working with her own magic.”
    Seregil lowered his voice to a whisper. “But why, Alec? Klia and Torsin were poisoned at Virésse tupa, of that I’m certain. If it was done by the Haman, then it was someone other than Emiel, because he wasn’t there.”
    â€œIf the Haman are behind it, then it was planned by a fool,” added Thero. “Everyone knew they were hunting the next morning.Why choose a poison that would affect her while she was in their company?”
    â€œAnd why go to the trouble of attacking her if she was already dying?” Seregil pointed out.
    â€œUnless Emiel didn’t know about the poison,” Alec said. “He’s a violent bastard, Seregil. He went after me once, right in the city in front of witnesses, not to mention what he did to you!”
    â€œThat was different. Attacking Klia was madness. Based on what Amali just told us, he could face dwai sholo.” He handed the poisoner’s ring to Thero. “Keep at this. I’ll bet you my best horse if you do find out who used it, it won’t be a Haman.”
    â€œYou think these could be separate events, then?” the wizard asked, staring down at the deadly little circle of steel.
    â€œYou mean more than one clan wanted Klia dead?” Alec felt the beginnings of a headache behind his eyes. “Perhaps