Traitor's Moon

staunchest opponent.”
    â€œAre you suggesting that
he
poisoned Klia?” asked Brythir.
    â€œI suggest nothing, yet she is not dead, is she? Perhaps a man who knows so much about poisons would also know how to administer them so as to not quite kill, thereby creating the semblance of a botched murder attempt?”
    â€œThat’s ridiculous!” Thero retorted, but his protest was drowned out by the renewed burst of exclamations from all sides. People were out of their seats, shouting and arguing, crowding out onto the chamber floor. Even Brythir í Nien could not make himself heard over the din.
    Thero shook his head, marveling at the ease with which the Virésse khirnari could manipulate an audience. Still, there was more than one way to get people’s attention. Climbing up on his chair, he clapped his palms together over his head, forgetting, in his haste, to make allowances for the strange energy of the city.
    Daylight failed for an instant, then a deafening clap of thunder rocked the chamber, rumbling around the room for the space of several heartbeats.
    The result was nearly comical. People clutched at each other, clapped hands over their ears, or fell dumbstruck back into their seats. Ears ringing, Thero groped for the chair’s back to keep his balance.
    â€œWhatever Seregil has done, for whatever reasons, the matter of teth’sag lies between him and the Haman,” he declared. “The greater wrong remains that done to Princess Klia, who lies insensible at the heart of a city she believed held no violence. Hunt him down if you must, but do not let the actions of one man destroy all we have worked toward during these long weeks! By all the sacred names of the Lightbearer, Klia has acted with nothing but honor, and been rewarded with injury, yet she demands no vengeance. I pray you remember that when the vote is cast—”
    â€œHow can you speak of a vote?” Lhaär ä Iriel demanded, gathering herself up from the floor and shaking off anyone who tried to assist her. “You see what comes of oaths made by the Tír. Cast them out and be done with it!”
    â€œThe vote will go forward,” Brythir declared. “In the meantime, let the Exile be found and returned to face judgment.”
    Adzriel took the floor. “My fellow khirnari, Klia has labored long and honorably among us, as did Lord Torsin. They have beenwronged; to cast the vote while she is unable to speak for herself would wrong her further. Until she recovers and the confusion that enfolds us has been lifted, I call upon the Iia’sidra to show mercy and postpone their decision. A few more days or weeks, what is that to us compared to what it may mean for Skala?”
    â€œLet the Exile be brought back!” Elos of Goliníl called out, casting a dark look Thero’s way. “I say we postpone the vote until he has answered for his actions. Only then will any doubts regarding Skala’s true intentions be resolved.”
    â€œYou speak wisely, Khirnari, as does Nazien í Hari,” said Nyal, speaking up again. “I know the Exile and his companions better than any of you and would not see them brought to harm. They’re most likely on their way north to Gedre, or west to Bôkthersa. You all know that I’m accounted a skilled tracker, and I know that country well. With the Iia’sidra’s consent, I will lead a search party.”
    An angry outcry went up from the Bôkthersans, but Brythir stilled them with one upraised hand. “I accept your offer, Nyal í Nhekai, assuming Nazien í Hari has no objections.”
    â€œHe may do as he likes,” the Haman retorted. “I sent searchers west and north as soon as I learned of Seregil’s escape.”
    Bowing, Nyal left the floor without looking in Thero’s direction, and the wizard’s fingers itched for magic to strike the man down.
    Glaring at the Ra’basi’s back, Thero vowed silently,
I’ll give you teth ’sag. If any harm comes to my friends through you, no law or magic will be enough to protect you!
    The Skalan guest house had become a fortress in Thero’s absence. Armed guards stood at every door, and others paced the roof. Hurrying inside, he managed to make it to a chair near the door before his legs gave out. The sergeants and a handful of Urgazhi were waiting for him in the hall, together with several of the servants.
    â€œWhat are you still