Traitor's Moon

couldn’t recall the fellow’s name but remembered seeing him around the Orëska and at court.
    â€œHere’s help at last,” Seregil grunted.
    â€œStop, you fools!” the wizard cried again. “What are you doing?”
    â€œIt’s just a couple of ’faie spies,” the captain snapped.
    The wizard stared hard at Seregil and Alec, then rounded on the captain. “This man is Lord Seregil í Korit, a friend of the Royal Family and of the Orëska House! And this, if memory serves, is his ward, Sir Alec.”
    The captain threw Seregil a dubious look, then motioned her men back. “Yes, those are the names they gave.”
    Seregil rose and dusted himself off. “Thank you, Elutheus. I’m relieved to find one sane person aboard. What are they up to, slaughtering Aurënfaie out of hand?”
    â€œThe queen’s orders, I’m afraid,” the wizard replied. “Captain Heria, I wish to question these men in my cabin. Please send down some food and drink. They look like they’ve had a hard time of it.”
    The wizard’s cabin was a cramped, dark little kennel belowdecks, but he soon made them comfortable, clearing the cluttered bunk and sending for the ship’s drysian to tend Alec’s leg. Slumped on a stool, Seregil allowed himself to relax a little. Elutheus was a decent fellow who’d been a friend of Nysander’s.
    â€œWhat other wizards are with the prince?” he asked, accepting a cup of wine gratefully as he watched the healer work.
    â€œJust the prince’s field wizard, Wydonis.”
    â€œOh, yes, I remember him. One arm. A bit stuffy at banquets. He didn’t think much of Nysander’s entertainments.”
    â€œNo, but he respected his abilities. He’s been given Nysander’s old tower since you left.”
    Seregil clenched his cup, fighting down the sudden lump that rose in his throat at the thought of those familiar rooms being occupied by anyone else. Looking up, he saw Alec watching him over the drysian’s shoulder, understanding in his blue eyes.
    â€œHow did he wrangle that, I wonder?” Seregil asked, trying to make light of it.
    â€œHe’s wizard to the vicegerent now,” said Elutheus.
    Seregil finished his wine and accepted more, impatient for the drysian to finish. When the man was gone, Seregil took out the Akhendi bracelet. “Can you seal this away from prying eyes without disturbing the magic it contains?”
    â€œSomeone keeps using it to find us and we don’t want to be found, especially not here,” Alec put in. “Nysander used to seal things up in jars.”
    â€œOf course.” Elutheus rummaged in a small trunk and came upwith a small clay bottle sealed with a cork. Placing the bracelet inside, he replaced the plug, secured it with a bit of string, and spoke a spell over it. Bluish light flickered around it for an instant. When it died away, he handed it to Seregil.
    â€œNot elegant, perhaps, but this should keep you safe until you open it again. Now then, what are you doing here?”
    â€œWe’re here on Klia’s behalf,” Seregil replied, cautious again. “What was all that talk about spies?”
    Elutheus shook his head. “Phoria has been busy in her sister’s absence. Even before the queen died, Phoria was using the Iia’sidra’s inaction to stir up bad feeling against Aurënen, no doubt in preparation for taking what she needs by force. Hence Korathan’s presence here now. Plenimar is pressing hard on our eastern borders, and she’s grasping at straws.”
    Seregil shook his head. “I can understand her impatience, but to start a second war against a race that can fight you for centuries, and with magic—it’s madness! Where are her mother’s old advisers? Surely they’ve tried to talk her out of it?”
    â€œPhoria listens only to her generals and sycophants. Even Orëska wizards can find themselves open to charges of treason if they’re not careful. Lady Magyana has already been banished.”
    â€œMagyana? What for?” Seregil counterfeited surprise with his usual ease.
    Elutheus studied him for a moment. “It was she who sent word to you, was it not?”
    Chagrinned, Seregil said nothing.
    â€œThat’s all right.” The wizard shrugged, smiling. “We keep the secrets that must be kept, those of us who watch.”
    Alec gave