Traitor's Moon

fell in beside Seregil.
    â€œI must ask two things of you that may strain your patience, Khirnari,” said Korathan. “These two must be allowed to speak on my behalf, regardless of the sentence passed against them. They came to me at great peril to their own lives to bring news of who has attacked my family.”
    â€œI have to speak to the Iia’sidra. Emiel í Moranthi’s life and the honor of three clans depend on it,” Seregil told him. “I swear it by Aura’s name.”
    â€œThis is why you left?” Riagil asked.
    â€œIt seemed reason enough, Khirnari.” Not quite a lie.
    â€œI would also prefer to keep their return secret until we arrive in the sacred city,” Korathan added.
    Riagil noted Seregil’s bruised face and nodded. “As you wish. It is enough that they have returned. Come, Korathan í Malteus, you shall be made welcome in my home until the will of the Iia’sidra is known. I’ll send word to Sarikali at once.”
    And so it was, a short time later, that Seregil found himself once more in Riagil’s painted courtyard. He and Alec sat apart from the others under the watchful gaze of their guards while Korathan and his people were given wine and food.
    â€œAt least he hasn’t chained you,” Alec remarked hopefully.
    Seregil nodded absently, studying Korathan. It had been thirty years or more since they’d roistered through the Lower City stews together. Time had taken a harsh toll on the man, leaving him grim to the point of melancholy most of the time. Seated under the gnarled shade tree, he seemed uneasy with the peaceful setting—unmoved by the warm sunshine or the smiling, generous Gedre attending him.
    A man made only for war
, Seregil thought. Yet a man of reason as well, or they wouldn’t be sitting here now.
    Within the hour Riagil rejoined them bearing good news. “The Iia’sidra has granted you entrance to the sacred city, Korathan í Malteus,” he announced happily. “There are restrictions, however.”
    â€œI expected as much,” Korathan replied. “And they are?”
    â€œYou may bring your wizards, but no more than twenty soldiers, and you must order your vessels to anchor outside my harbor.”
    â€œVery well.”
    â€œYou must also invoke your blood tie to the Bôkthersan clan in order to declare teth’sag. Adzriel will act as your sponsor before the council.”
    â€œSo I’ve been told,” the prince replied. “Though I do not understand why my sister Klia was allowed to speak for herself, but I am not.”
    â€œThis is different,” Riagil explained. “Klia came to negotiate. You are bringing a matter of atui before them and, I’m sorry to say, some of the clans could challenge your right to do so. The Tírfaie—any Tírfaie—do not have the same rights under Aurënen law. Rest assured, Adzriel will be a great help to you.”
    Korathan glowered at Riagil. “You consider us a lesser race, then?”
    The khirnari pressed a hand to his heart and made him a slightbow. “Some do, my friend; not I. Please believe that I will do all in my power to see that your sister and Torsin í Xandus are accorded justice.”
    The column set off that afternoon with Riagil and twenty Gedre swordsmen as escort. There were no pack animals or musicians to slow them down this time. Not one for unnecessary ceremony, Korathan and his riders traveled as if they were on campaign, carrying only what they needed.
    Seregil and Alec rode with the Skalans, wearing the tabard and wide steel hats of Korathan’s personal guard.
    â€œIn uniform at last, eh?” Seregil said, grinning as Alec fidgeted at his helmet strap. “Between that and your dark hair, I doubt even Thero will recognize you.”
    â€œLet’s just hope the Akhendi don’t,” Alec replied, warily scanning the cliffs that hemmed in this section of the road for trouble. “Do you think anyone will notice we’re the only members of the prince’s guard not carrying weapons?”
    â€œIf anyone asks, we’re Korathan’s personal cooks.”
    They bypassed the Dravnian way station to make camp farther up the pass. At the first stretch of guarded trail, Korathan accepted the blindfold with good grace, commenting only that he wished Skala had such safeguards.
    They reached the steaming Vhadä’nakori pool late