Traitor's Moon

narrowed.
    â€œThe Iia’sidra sent me with a search party,” Nyal replied. “I volunteered, actually. When it became clear that others suspected where you might go, I thought it would be better if I found you first. Tracking her, I saw where you parted ways and guessed that you might make for this smuggler’s pass, not knowing it was blocked. I made certain that my compatriots were occupied with her, then came looking for you.”
    â€œOur little ruse didn’t fool you?”
    Nyal grinned, “Fortunately for you, my companions don’t have quite the eye for tracking that I do. An unladen horse walks a bit differently than one carrying a man. You won’t get through this way, you know.”
    â€œSo I see,” Seregil said, shaking his head. “I should have guessed about the pass. I just assumed the villages had died for lack of trade.”
    He bent over one of the bodies and pulled his poniard free from the dead man’s chest. “I’ve managed to keep my promise, Adzriel,” he muttered, wiping the blade clean on the dead man’s tunic and slipping it back into his boot. Bending over another, he emptied the man’s purse onto the ground.
    â€œAh, here it is!” he exclaimed, holding up Corruth’s ring. “The chain’s gone. Oh, well, what wisdom forbids, necessity dictates.” He slipped it onto his finger and went on with his task.
    Leaving the bodies for the crows, they made a circuit around the area and found three horses tethered in a stand of trees up the slope from the trail, still saddled.
    â€œYou take these,” said Nyal. “Mine is hidden down near where I found you, Alec. There’s another trail a mile or so back down the trail that will take you over to the coast. I’ll set you on it, then head back to report that I found no sign of you. I don’t suppose that will win me any favor with Beka, but it’s a start.”
    Seregil laid a hand on his arm. “You haven’t asked why we’re out here.”
    The Ra’basi gave him an unreadable look. “If you wanted me to know, you’d have told me. I trust enough in your honor, and in Beka’s, to know that you must have good reason for risking your life like this.”
    â€œThen you really don’t know?” asked Alec.
    â€œEven my ears aren’t that long.”
    â€œCan you trust the men who have Beka?” Alec asked, anxious for Nyal to be off.
    â€œYes. They’ll keep her safe. Hurry now! There are others hunting you.”
    â€œYou’re really letting us go?” Seregil asked again, unable to believe it.
    The Ra’basi smiled. “I told you, I never intended to capture you. I came to protect Beka if I could, and for her sake I help you now.”
    â€œWhat about atui? Where’s your loyalty to your clan, to the Iia’sidra?”
    Nyal shrugged, his smile now tinged with sadness. “Those of uswho travel far from our fai’thasts see the world differently than those who don’t, wouldn’t you say?”
    Seregil gave the man a last, searching look, then nodded. “Show us this trail of yours, Nyal.”
    The night was clear and cold, with enough of a moon to travel easily by as they rode back the way they’d come.
    Seregil knew of no other trails in the area, but presently Nyal reined in and led them on foot through a seemingly untouched stretch of woods to a little pond. Just past a jumbled pile of rocks on its far bank, they struck a trail that disappeared up the hillside.
    â€œBe careful,” Nyal advised. “It’s a good route, well marked once you’ve followed it for a few miles, but treacherous in places, and home to wolves and dragons. Aura watch over you both.”
    â€œAnd you,” Seregil returned. “I hope we meet again, Ra’basi, and under happier circumstances.”
    â€œAs do I.” Nyal pulled a flask from his pouch and handed it to Alec. “You’ll be needing this, I think. It’s been an honor to know you, Alec í Amasa of the Hâzadriëlfaie. I’ll do all I can to keep your almost-sister safe, whether she wants me to or not.”
    With that, he melted away into the shadows. Soon they heard the beat of his horse’s hooves fading rapidly away down the road.
    The trail was as bad as Nyal had warned. Steep and uneven, it wound through gullies and across streams. There was no place to go if they were