Traitor's Moon

reclaiming his hard-won skills.
    Seregil pointedly ignored the hopeful glances they cast in his direction during these sessions.
    They met with columns of soldiers more frequently as they neared the coast and from them learned that Plenimaran ships now controled much of the Inner Sea’s northeastern waters, and that raids on eastern Skalan were increasing. Skala still held crucial control of the isthmus and canal, but the pressure was mounting.
    News of the land battles was more encouraging. According to an infantry captain they met just north of Cirna, Skalan troops held the Mycenian coastline as far west as Keston, and had pushed east to the Folcwine River. As Seregil had long ago predicted, however, the Plenimaran Overlord had extended his influence into the northlands and was gradually seizing control of the trade routes there.
    â€œHave they taken Kerry?” Alec asked, thinking of his home village in the Ironheart Mountains.
    â€œDon’t know Kerry,” the captain replied, “but I’ve heard rumors that Wolde’s gone over to them.”
    â€œThat’s bad,” Seregil muttered.
    Wolde was an important link in the Gold Road, the caravan route between Skala and the north. If the Plenimarans captured the north’s iron, wool, gold, and timber at their source, it wouldn’t matter if Skala held the Folcwine; there’d be no more goods coming downriver.
    They reached the isthmus on the third day and crossed the echoing chasm of the great Cirna Canal. Following the Queen’s Highroad west, they came in sight of the little village of Ardinlee just before sunset.
    Micum reined in to take his leave where the road branched and Seregil felt again that gulf of change and distance.
    Beka leaned over to hug her father. “Give my love to Mother and the others.”
    â€œI will.” Turning to Alec and Seregil, he grinned ruefully. “Since I can’t come with you, I’ll just have to trust you three to keep each other out of trouble down there. I hear the ’faie are persnickety about foreigners.”
    â€œI’ll keep that in mind,” Seregil replied dryly.
    With a final wave, Micum turned his horse south and galloped away.
    Seregil remained for a moment, watching his old companion disappear into the evening’s dusty haze.
    Klia was camped at a prosperous estate just south of the village. Riding through a vineyard, they found Sergeant Mercalle on guard at the front door of the house. She saluted Beka smartly as they rode up, then gave Alec a welcoming wink. Despite her injuries she stood as straight at fifty as the young soldiers on duty beside her.
    â€œWell met, my lords,” she greeted them as they dismounted. “I haven’t seen you since that fancy send-off you gave us back in Rhíminee.”
    Seregil grinned. “I remember the early part of the evening, but not much later on.”
    â€œAh, yes.” She feigned disapproval. “Thanks to you, most of my riders were carrying sore heads the next morning. Tell me, Sir Alec, do you recall the blessing you gave us when we were all pissed as newts?”
    â€œNow that you mention it, I do seem to remember standing on a table, saying something pretentious as I poured wine on people.”
    â€œI wish you’d gotten a few more drops of it on me. It might have saved me a few broken bones,” Mercalle said, rubbing her left arm. “Of those you splashed, only one’s been killed. The rest are all still with us. You’re a luckbringer, and no mistake.”
    Seregil nodded. “I’ve always thought so.”
    They found Klia in a library on the first floor, poring over reports and charts with several uniformed aides.
    â€œTell him we can’t wait for his shipment,” she was saying when Seregil entered with Alec and Beka. “There’ll be dispatch ships every few days. He can send it along with one of them.”
    Seregil studied her profile as he waited for her to finish. Klia had always looked more the commander than the princess, but war had left its mark on her all the same. Her uniform hung loosely on her slender frame, and faint worry lines bracketed her mouth when she frowned. A new sword scar cut across the tiny faded burn marks that peppered one cheek.
    When she looked up at last and smiled, however, he saw that a little of the girl he’d known lived on in her bright blue eyes.
    â€œSo you talked them into it, Captain?”