Traitor's Moon

entered a moment later, escorting Rhaish í Arlisandin.
    â€œIs there anyone else you wish to have present?” Thero asked Nazien.
    â€œNo one,” the old Haman answered. “You claim to have proof of my kinsman’s guilt. Show it to me and let’s be done with the matter.”
    The Akhendi stepped forward, and Seregil handed him Klia’s warding charm.
    â€œYou know of my people’s skills with such magic,” said Rhaish. “Your kinsman’s guilt is written here, in this little carving. You recognize what it is, I think.”
    Nazien took the charm and clasped it, closing his eyes. After amoment his shoulders sagged. When he looked at Emiel, there was disgust in his eyes. “I brought you to Sarikali to learn wisdom, nephew. Instead, you have brought disgrace on our name.”
    Beka felt the young Haman go rigid. “No,” he rasped out. “No, my uncle—”
    â€œSilence!” Nazien ordered, turning his back on Emiel and facing Thero. “I vow atonement to avert teth’sag between our people. If evidence of my kinsman’s innocence cannot be found within the next moon cycle, he will be put to death for the attempted assassination of the queen’s sister.”
    Nazien regarded Emiel stonily for a long moment. “Did you know,” he said at last, “that during the hunt I pledged my support to Klia and her cause?”
    â€œNo, Khirnari, we did not,” Thero replied. “The princess has been unable to speak since her collapse.”
    â€œWho heard you give this pledge, I wonder?” Rhaish í Arlisandin asked harshly.
    The Haman eyed him levelly. “We spoke in private, but I’m certain Klia will verify my words when she recovers. Good day. May Aura’s light illuminate the truth for all.”
    None of the Haman spared Emiel a glance as they filed out. He watched his kinsmen leave, then turned on Rhaish í Arlisandin.
    â€œI might have known the Akhendi would use their paltry trinkets to sell their honor!” he snarled, twisting out of Beka’s grasp and lunging at the khirnari, hands outstretched to throttle the man.
    Beka grappled him to the ground but needed the help of three strong riders to hold the man down as he thrashed and cursed. Beka got an elbow in the eye for her trouble but held on blindly until the Haman suddenly jerked and went limp.
    Peering up blearily, Beka found Alec standing over him, rubbing his fist.
    â€œThanks,” she grunted, getting up. “Tie this madman up, Sergeant, and clear out one of the storerooms for a cell. If we’ve got to hang on to him, I want him behind a locked door!”
    Mercalle motioned to her men, who dragged the unconscious Haman none too gently out the door.
    Beka bowed to the Akhendi. “My apologies.”
    â€œNot at all,” the older man replied, apparently shaken by what he’d just witnessed. “If you will excuse me, I must return to my wife. She’s still not well.”
    â€œThank you, Khirnari,” Thero said, holding up the bracelet.
    â€œYour help has been invaluable. I hope to learn more from this, as well.”
    â€œI’m unfamiliar with your methods, Thero í Procepios, but I caution you not to undo any of the knots. Once the magic of the object is so broken, no one will be able to tell anything from it.”
    â€œThat shouldn’t be necessary,” Seregil replied, taking it and tucking it away for safekeeping. “Captain, see that the khirnari gets home safely.”
    It was just as well that Beka went with the Akhendi. There was something different in the air today and tension hung over the formerly placid streets. It was nothing overt, just a sense she picked up as they passed too quiet taverns and small knots of people.
    Nyal was waiting for her on the front steps when she returned. “You are exhausted, talía,” he said, taking her hand and pulling her down beside him.
    â€œI don’t have time to be tired yet,” she returned sourly, though she knew he was right. She ached with weariness, and the world was taking on a surreal glow.
    â€œI hear Emiel did not exactly confess?”
    For an instant, Beka saw the Ra’basi through Seregil’s eyes—an outsider who asked too many questions. “That’s not for me to discuss,” she said curtly, and quickly changed the subject. “Our troubles have upset the general population, I