Traitor's Moon

support. Argue for a limited opening of Gedre—say, the duration of yourwar? I tell you as one grateful for what you did to clear my name that this is the best you can hope for. Or has your unfortunate alliance with the Akhendi blinded you to your original purpose? Klia did not come to challenge the Edict but to secure aid.”
    â€œCan we even hope for that?” Seregil asked.
    â€œYou know what to do, my clever friend. You’re the master harpist who knows what strings to pluck. If you agree to my tune, you will have my support.”
    â€œAre there verses to your tune? Certain strings you want plucked?”
    Ulan’s ghostly face loomed closer, the eyes lost in shadow. “There is only one thing I want: Virésse remains an open port. Respect that, and whatever else you need I shall endeavor to provide.”
    â€œI don’t suppose you can do anything about Plenimaran warships blocking the Strait of Bal?” Seregil asked with a wry grin. The khirnari’s smile drove his own from his lips. “You
can
, can’t you?”
    â€œThere’s a great deal the Virésse are capable of, if we choose. Skalan trade has never been adverse to us, and they tend to be more trustworthy. What do you say?”
    â€œI can’t speak for Klia or Korathan,” Seregil hedged.
    â€œNo, but you can speak with them.”
    â€œAnd what should I say to the people of Akhendi and Gedre? That their days of prosperity are numbered?”
    â€œI have already spoken with Riagil and Sulat. They agree that half an apple is better than no apple at all. After all, even in Aurënen, things change with time and death. Who knows what may come of this little crack in the Edict, eh? Slow change is best for our people. It always has been.”
    â€œAnd if things stay the same long enough for you to keep your power?”
    â€œThen I shall die a contented man.”
    Seregil smiled. “I’m sure there are a great many people who wish for that, Khirnari. I’ll speak with the Skalans. There’s one last thing I’d like to know, though. Was it you who told the Plenimarans where to ambush us on the voyage over?”
    Ulan clucked his tongue. “Now you disappoint me. What use would a princess martyred by Plenimar be to me? Her death would only have united my opposition and created the most inconvenient sympathy for Skala’s cause. Besides, I’d have missed out on the delights of the game we’ve all shared here. That would’ve been a great loss, don’t you think?”
    â€œA game,” Seregil murmured. “Or a complicated dance.”
    â€œIf you like. That’s what existence is all about for people like us, Seregil. What would we do if life were ever simple and easy?”
    â€œI wouldn’t know,” Seregil replied, thinking again of Ilar and the complexities of that long-ago summer. “I was never given the chance to find out.”
    â€œYou’re wondering if I was involved with the Chyptaulos traitors,” Ulan said, and Seregil would not have put it past the man to be able to read thoughts and to have the audacity to do it.
    â€œYes,” he replied softly, wondering what he would do if Ulan confessed.
    The khirnari turned to look out over the pool. “That game needed no assistance from me, I assure you.”
    â€œBut you knew about it, didn’t you? You could have prevented it.”
    Ulan arched an eyebrow at him. “In my place, would you?”
    Seregil could feel the man’s scrutiny, as if Ulan had the power to look directly into his soul and perceive the truth there. In that moment came the humbling realization that Ulan’s power was based on nothing so paltry as the reading of thoughts.
    â€œNo,” he admitted, and the khirnari’s approving smile sent a shard of ice through his heart. “I’ll speak with Korathan.”
    As Seregil walked away he had the uncomfortable sensation that Ulan was watching him go, perhaps gloating, and the thought made his skin crawl. Stealing a glance back over his shoulder, however, he saw the old man gliding in slow, graceful circles across the smooth face of the pool.

57
A FTERMATH
    I t took just two days for the Iia’sidra and Korathan to come to terms. That night, under a waning moon, the Eleven met at the Cup of Aura to cast their vote. The stone circle was ringed with onlookers. Standing among them, Seregil watched with mixed