Traitor's Moon

you recognize this?” Seregil held out his hand, showing him the ring.
    â€œSo you have it!”
    â€œA gift from your mother, for certain services rendered. Alec and I both know the whole story, never mind how for the moment. Ulan í Sathil cast the whole business in the most damning light to a number of other khirnari—men and women he wanted to sway to his side. To the Aurënfaie, such an act demonstrates a shocking lack of honor. Even khirnari who were set to vote in Skala’s favor are having second thoughts. If you cap it with this ill-considered raid, the next Skalans they deal with will call you ancestor.”
    â€œIt’s suicide, my lord,” Alec added, tired of being ignored. “You’ll get us all killed and accomplish nothing.”
    Korathan threw him an annoyed look. “I have my orders—”
    â€œOrders be damned!” Seregil said. “You must have advised her against this?”
    â€œShe’s queen now, Seregil.” Korathan frowned down at his folded hands. “You know Phoria; you’re either her ally or her enemy. There’s no middle ground. That goes for me as much as anyone else.”
    â€œI don’t doubt it, but I believe we can offer you a way out with honor served on all sides,” Seregil told him.
    â€œAnd what would that be?”
    â€œPlay the injured party and put honor on your side. Is Phoria aware that Klia and Torsin were poisoned by someone in Sarikali?”
    â€œNo, by the Flame! They’re dead?”
    â€œHe is. Klia was hanging on when we left three nights ago, but she’s deathly ill. You can use this, Korathan. When we left, no oneelse in Aurënen appeared to know that you’re coming. If they’ve learned of it since, then we can argue that they had the purpose wrong. Sail into Gedre tomorrow with all flags flying and send word announcing that you’ve come seeking justice against the murderers. Play injured honor to the hilt and demand entrance to Sarikali.”
    â€œWho are these assassins?” asked Korathan. “Surely the Iia’sidra hasn’t brushed such an act off lightly?”
    â€œNo, my lord, they haven’t.”
    With Alec’s assistance, Seregil explained the events of the past few days. They showed him the Akhendi sen’gai they’d found, and the bottle containing the bracelet. By the time they were finished, Korathan was staring at Seregil again.
    â€œSo you’re not the wastrel you pretend to be. I wonder now if you ever were.”
    Seregil had the good grace to look embarrassed. “Anything I have done, my lord, I’ve done for the good of Skala—though there are few enough left who can vouch for my good character, and fewer still whom you have reason to trust. Your mother knew of some of my efforts on her behalf, as this ring attests. So did Nysander. If you have a truth knower among your wizards, Alec and I will happily submit ourselves to the test.”
    â€œA brave claim, Lord Seregil, but you always were a daring gambler,” Korathan said with a sly smile. Raising his voice, he called out, “Doriska, what do you say to that?”
    A side door opened and a woman in Orëska robes came in. “They speak the truth, my prince.”
    Korathan raised an eyebrow at them. “And a good thing, too. You’ve brought yourself close to a charge of treason just by coming here.”
    â€œNothing could be further from our minds, my lord. Your mother sent me along to advise Klia on Aurënfaie customs. Let me do the same for you.
    â€œHonor and family are everything here. You’re well within your rights to land and demand Klia’s return. If we play our cards right, I may even be able to salvage something of her mission here. But be warned; you’ll accomplish nothing by force. If anyone guesses that you’ve come with an attacking force, your ships will be in flames before you sight land. So you see, we may well be saving your life, as well.”
    â€œSo you mean to negotiate on my behalf, do you?”
    â€œIn Gedre, at least. I think Riagil’s a man we can trust. He maybe able to get you admitted to Sarikali, but he doesn’t have the power you need to deal with the Iia’sidra, and no one is going to listen to me, after what I’ve done. You’ll need Adzriel for that.”
    â€œI can damn well speak for myself,” Korathan growled. “I’m the