Traitor's Moon

burn.
    â€œI speak for the Iia’sidra,” Brythir continued. “Seregil í Korit has defied the conditions of his return. He has left the sacred city under coverof night. He has taken weapons and used them against fellow Aurënfaie. He has put on Aurënfaie garb and passed as a spy among us.”
    He heard the sound of chair legs creaking, then Nazien took up the litany. “Seregil í Korit has broken the ban of exile laid against him for the murder of my kinsman, Dhymir í Tilmani Nazien.”
    His father’s long-forgotten voice snarled at the back of his mind.
He has a name, the man you killed!
    Yes, my father, I’ve never forgotten it
.
    Footsteps approached, and strong hands hauled Seregil up to his knees.
    â€œCourage,” Kheeta whispered.
    Seregil kept his hands on his thighs, head bowed. He was facing the Silmai elder, but could see Adzriel and the others from the corner of his eye. Korathan was there, and Klia on her litter. For the moment, he was thankful not to see Alec.
    He hadn’t let himself weep then, facing his kin with grass clinging to his face and clothes under that clear Bôkthersan sky. He’d wanted to, but he fought the tears down until they were so far gone he didn’t see them again for years
.
    â€œSeregil í Korit, you have heard the charges against you, acts which being proven bring shame upon the whole clan of Bôkthersa. How do you answer?”
    His throat was dry, his voice rusty as a crow’s, but he faced his accusers unflinchingly. “I was cut off from my clan. You know me now as Seregil of Rhíminee, the Exile, and as the Exile, a servant of Klia of Rhíminee, I acted. Nothing I have done can bring shame upon Bôkthersa.
    â€œAs Exile, I have done all you said and take all shame upon myself. I returned here of my own will to face you and make myself accountable for my deeds. I broke teth’sag, Honored One, but not out of evil intent.”
    Brythir stared at him a moment as others whispered. Was his admission of guilt what threw them, he wondered, or the fact that it was a complete breech of ritual?
    â€œDoes anyone speak for this man?” Brythir inquired of the chamber.
    â€œThe Exile surrendered himself willingly to me at Gedre,” Riagil í Molan announced.
    A pause raveled out, and Seregil caught movement among the Skalans. Adzriel bent over Klia’s litter, then passed on her words. “Klia ä Idrilain says that Seregil and his two companions broke teth’sag on her behalf. They risked their lives to meet Korathan and bring him news of her condition and of the confusion surroundingthe circumstances of Torsin’s death. Queen Phoria did not know Klia has thus far forsworn teth’sag.”
    Thus far?
Seregil felt his own eyes widen and knew that others around the room must be, as well. He happened to look Ulan’s way and found the man smiling knowingly at him, as if they shared some secret. Perhaps they did, Seregil thought uneasily. The cagey old fox might not have needed the aid of Plenimaran spies to guess what Korathan’s real orders had been.
    Adzriel continued, still speaking for Klia. “Seregil and Alec’s decision to risk their lives a second time in order to clear the names of Virésse and Haman was their own. Klia knew nothing of the matter until they returned yesterday.
    â€œLet the death of Rhaish í Arlisandin speak also for the accused. Though he broke teth’sag, Seregil has brought the truth to light. Will you take his life for that?”
    Korathan rose. “Seregil of Rhíminee has served Skala well and honorably for many years. For the sake of that service, I ask in Queen Phoria’s name that you spare this man’s life.”
    I wonder what your sister will think of that, if she ever hears of it?
Seregil thought.
    â€œWe speak for him, as well,” another voice rang out, and all eyes turned to the rhui’auros who’d stepped forward into the circle.
    â€œElesarit, honored as you and your kind are, you know that the rhui’auros do not speak before the Iia’sidra,” Brythir remonstrated.
    â€œWe spoke for Seregil í Korit the first time he was tried, and do the same now,” Elesarit retortèd. “He’s been marked. The will of Aura is plain on his flesh now, clear for all to see.”
    â€œDoes anyone else speak for this man?” Brythir asked.
    â€œI do,” a deep,