Traitor's Moon

Seregil a startled look behind the wizard’s back, then made the sign for “Watcher?”
    Seregil stared at the wizard, trying to gauge the man’s expression, then said noncommittally, “What would you swear by?”
    â€œHeart, hands, and eyes.”
    Relief washed through Seregil. “You? I had no idea.”
    â€œI was only guessing about you,” the wizard replied with a wry smile. “There were always rumors, given your close association with Nysander. I must say, you’ve concealed yourself well all these years; you’ve been sorely missed at the gaming tables and pleasure houses since you disappeared this last time. Half of Rhíminee thinks you’re dead.”
    â€œThey were almost right. Now, where’s Korathan? The message we carry is for his ears only.”
    â€œHe should be catching us up very soon,” the wizard told them, conjuring up a message sphere. “My lord Korathan,” he said, speaking to the little point of light. “We have messengers aboard from your sister, bearing most urgent news.”
    â€œThere,” he said, sending it on its way and rising to go. “Rest now, my friends, and don’t let the prince scare you. He’s not a bad fellow, so long as you’re direct with him.”
    Seregil chuckled. “I knew him in his younger days. He didn’t laugh much, but he was always good for a loan.”
    Elutheus shook his head. “Luck in the shadows, boys.”
    â€œAnd in the light, wizard,” Seregil replied.
    â€œThings are looking up,” Seregil remarked when the wizard had left them. “If we can get Korathan to Sarikali, we’ll go along with him. It’s as safe a ploy as I can think of, given the circumstances.”
    â€œWait a minute,” Alec said, frowning. “
You’re
not thinking of going back?”
    â€œI have to, Alec.”
    â€œBut how? You’ve broken every law they laid down for your return—leaving the city, carrying a weapon, not to mention the fact that you killed a few people during the ambush.”
    â€œSo did you, as I recall.”
    â€œYes, but I’m not the one Nazien í Hari and the entire Iia’sidra invoked teth’sag against.”
    Seregil shrugged. “There’s no other way.”
    â€œHorse shit, there isn’t! I’ll go. I’m just a stupid Skalan. They won’t go as hard on me.”
    â€œNo, and they won’t listen to you, either.” Seregil pulled his stool closer and clasped Alec’s hand. “It’s not just about the poisonings for me anymore, or explaining Korathan’s sudden arrival.”
    â€œWhat then?”
    â€œHonor, Alec. I broke teth’sag and left Sarikali because circumstance required it. If we can convince Korathan to play things our way, act as if he’s come on Klia’s account, then our journey’s been worth the risk. But I need to finish that job properly. We have to clear Emiel and the Virésse. We have to find out which Akhendi were involved, and why. We might even get Phoria what she needs, whether she wants us to or not.”
    â€œAnd prove to them that you’re not the Exile who ran away?” Alec asked.
    â€œYes. Because that’s all I’ll ever be in the minds of my kin forever, unless I go back and make things right.”
    â€œThey could sentence you to death this time.”
    Seregil gave him a lopsided grin. “If they do, I’ll need your help to make another dazzling escape. But this way it’s my choice and, for once, I’m choosing honor. I need you to understand, talí.” He paused, thinking of that last strange dream and all the other visions he’d been given since his return. “It’s something the rhui’auros have been trying to tell me since we arrived.”
    â€œHonor, or atui?”
    â€œAtui,” Seregil admitted. “To act as a true Aurënfaie, whatever the consequences.”
    â€œYou picked a hell of a time to start caring about that again.”
    â€œI always cared,” Seregil said softly.
    â€œAll right then, we go back. How?”
    â€œWe’ll surrender in Gedre and let them take us back.”
    â€œAnd if Riagil is in league with the Akhendi after all?”
    â€œWe’ll find out soon enough.”
    Alec looked down at their clasped hands and rubbed his thumb over Seregil’s knuckles. “You really believe this will