Traitor's Moon

cushions, her ruined hand hanging unbandaged across her chest in a black sling.
    Seregil and Alec hid again among Korathan’s guard, savoring their last few moments of anonymity.
    â€œLook, the moon’s at the half already,” Alec murmured.
    We could have been back in Skala by now
. Seregil silently completed the thought for him.
    The Vhadäsoori circle was dark and empty as they passed, but lights blazed at the Iia’sidra.
    A crowd had gathered outside, their faces masks of light and shadow in the mingled glow of torches and mage lights.
    The Skalans were the last to arrive. Inside, the round chamber and the galleries above were filled to capacity. Seregil and Alec remained with a contingent of guards in an antechamber just outside.
    From here, they watched as the others took their seats. Adzriel and Thero accompanied Korathan to the Bôkthersans’ place in the circle. Judging by the young wizard’s look of concentration, he was channeling what strength he could into Klia.
    Seregil watched Rhaish í Arlisandin when Klia’s litter was set down less than twenty feet from where he sat. The man’s face betrayed nothing but concern.
    â€œWhat if we’re wrong?” Alec whispered.
    â€œWe’re not.” He closed his fingers around the sealed bottle, thinking,
If not him, then her
.
    The ritual chime was struck, and the invocation given. The Silmai khirnari stepped into the circle and raised his hands toward Klia. “Korathan í Malteus Romeran Baltus of Rhíminee, brother of Queen Phoria and of Princess Klia í Idrilain, kinsman of Adzriel ä Illia of Bôkthersa, seeks redress for the wrongs committed against his sister, and against their envoy, Torsin í Xandus. Because these crimes have occurred on this, our most sacred ground, the Iia’sidra itself also proclaims teth’sag against the guilty. Adzriel ä Illia, do you speak for your kinsmen?”
    â€œI do, Honored One. The children of Idrilain share with me the blood of Corruth í Glamien.”
    Satisfied, Brythir raised his hand again. “Present the accused.”
    Seregil couldn’t see the two men but knew by the shifting of the crowd that Emiel and Ulan had come forward.
    â€œEmiel í Moranthi, you stand before this body accused of committingviolence against Klia ä Idrilain while she was a guest of your clan,” Brythir intoned. “An act which, being proven, brings shame upon the whole clan of Haman. How do you answer?”
    â€œFor myself and for the honor of my clan, I refute the charge,” Emiel proclaimed loudly.
    Brythir nodded, then turned to the right. “Ulan í Sathil, Khirnari of Virésse, you stand before this body for Virésse, beneath whose roof and on sacred ground sacrilege and guest murder were done. How do you answer?”
    The Virésse khirnari’s smooth voice carried easily through the large chamber. “Should it be proven that these acts occurred within Virésse tupa, then I will accept responsibility for myself and my clan and take the dishonor upon my name. Until that time, however, for myself and for the honor of my clan, I refute the charge.”
    â€œHe’s going to regret those words,” growled Alec.
    â€œDon’t lay any bets on that,” Seregil warned.
    Korathan and Adzriel bent over Klia for a moment conferring, then faced the council. Adzriel took a step forward.
    â€œThe Skalans seek justice and redress, but not against these men.
    Commotion broke out briefly around the chamber, but Seregil still watched Rhaish. The Akhendi sat motionless, hands folded in his lap.
    â€œSurely Korathan í Malteus has been told of the proofs against them?” Brythir asked.
    â€œI have proofs of my own to present,” Korathan answered. “With your permission, Elder?”
    The Silmai resumed his seat and motioned for the Skalan to proceed.
    â€œHere we go, talí,” Seregil whispered, his mouth suddenly dry. Dropping their cloaks, they strode forward together to the center of the Iia’sidra circle.
    A spate of excited whispering swelled around them as word of their identity was passed to the back seats and around the galleries overhead.
    Stealing another look at Rhaish, Seregil found the Akhendi seemingly no more surprised than anyone else.
    â€œSeregil of Rhíminee?” Brythir said at last, as if he couldn’t credit what he was seeing.
    Seregil bowed, spreading his