Traitor's Moon

feelings as, one by one, each khirnari dropped their lot into the Cup. When it was finished Brythir sorted the black stones from the white and held them up in his fists. His cracked old voice did not carry well, but word passed from mouth to mouth through the crowd: “Eight white. Eight white! Gedre is open.”
    A cheer went up from the Skalans.
    But only for forty auspicious turnings of the moon
, thought Seregil, watching as Ulan í Sathil congratulated Riagil. Virésse would remain open, as well.
    Slow change is best
, Ulan had said. Three years for the ’faie was not slow, but within that small space of time, Skala’s war would be lost or won. If Skala won, then a precedent would be set, and they could try again for permanent trade.
    As it stood now, the Skalans were to be allowed a small trade colony at Gedre but no access yet to the interior. No Aurënfaie troops would be levied, but anyone foolish enough to want to join with the Skalans was free to do so.“It’s a beginning, at least,” Alec yelled to him over the rising tide of voices. “We can finally go home!”
    Seregil gave him a wry smile. “Don’t pack up just yet.”
    In typical Aurënfaie fashion, it took nearly a month to finalize the details of the agreement. Spring gave way to blazing summer, and many of the ’faie who’d come to witness the negotiations went home, leaving the city more empty and haunted than ever.
    For days on end the sun burned down from a cloudless sky, turning the turf in the streets sere and brown, though hardy wild roses and summer flowers bloomed in profusion everywhere. Alec finally learned to appreciate the city’s forbidding architecture. No matter how hot the day was, the dark stone rooms remained cool. Everyone adopted the Aurënfaie fashion of loose, flowing tunics and trousers of Aurënen gauze.
    Alec once again had time on his hands and a great deal less to do. Beka and her riders however, found themselves in greater demand than ever. A steady stream of dispatches went up to Gedre, and Alec and Seregil sometimes went along with them. Nyal was there, helping Riagil oversee preparations for Klia’s departure.
    Since the vote, the Urgazhi were suddenly also popular with would-be adventurers, who talked excitedly of joining the Skalan cause.
    â€œIf they’re as brave as they make out, we’ll be Urgazhi Troop before we leave here,” Sergeant Braknil observed one evening as they returned from a Silmai tavern.
    â€œWe’ll need them, too,” Alec heard Beka mutter.
    â€œYou’re anxious to get back, aren’t you?” he asked, dreading the prospect. It had been easy, all these months, to forget what awaited her when they went back.
    â€œI’m a soldier, and an officer. I’ve been gone too long,” she said softly, watching Braknil’s riders laughing together as they walked along ahead of them.
    A few nights before they were to leave, Alec and Seregil were summoned to Klia’s chamber. Korathan, Thero, and Beka were there already but none of the prince’s people.
    Klia sat up in a chair by the window. As they came in, she smiled and held out her hands. On the left she wore a fine leather glove; the empty fingers had been artfully stuffed to hide her deformity. “See, I’ll be whole yet!” she said.
    â€œShe’s gaining quickly, isn’t she?” Beka whispered to Alec as he took his place beside her. “She’ll be walking again before we know it.”
    Alec had spoken with Mydri earlier and was less optimistic. Despite all the healer’s efforts, Klia still had no strength in her legs and could barely hold a cup for herself. The poison had also left her with a slight tremor. Her mind, however, was as sharp as ever.
    â€œThat’s all of you,” said Korathan, abrupt as ever. “Thero, seal this room.”
    Standing next to Klia’s chair, hands clasped behind his back, the prince looked as if he were about to address a regiment. “As vicegerent of Skala, it falls to me to put Gedre in order. Since Klia is still too weak for hard traveling or battle, I’m placing her in command of the supply station at Gedre. She knows these people better than anyone, now that Torsin is gone, and has the status to get us what we need. Riagil í Molan is preparing lodgings and warehouses at the waterfront.
    â€œI’ll need a sizable staff,” said Klia.