Traitor's Moon

“Captain, you and Urgazhi Turma will remain in Aurënen with me.”
    Beka saluted woodenly, saying nothing, but Alec had seen her hastily masked shock.
    â€œI’ve asked Thero to remain with me, as well,” Klia added.
    Korathan glanced down at his sister in surprise. “I thought Elutheus might do better. He’s older, and more experienced.”
    â€œI’ll take any wizards you can spare, Brother, but I’d prefer to retain Thero as my field wizard. He and I are used to one another, aren’t we?”
    â€œMy lady.” Thero bowed deeply, and Alec saw that he, at least, was pleased with this turn of events.
    â€œWhat about us?” asked Alec.
    â€œYes, what about us?” said Seregil.
    â€œI’m sorry. Not you.”
    â€œBut I thought he wasn’t exiled anymore. Can’t he go wherever you do?” said Alec.
    â€œUnder the law, yes,” Klia told him. “But it’s not politic for him to overstay his welcome, especially as part of my staff. Many of thosewho opposed his return haven’t changed their minds, and some of them have powerful voices among the clans who voted against the treaty.”
    â€œNot to mention the fact that the iron Skala needs is mined in the mountains of Akhendi fai’thast,” Seregil added. “I’m not very popular among them. It could raise unnecessary difficulties.”
    Klia gave him a grateful smile. “I knew you’d understand.”
    â€œIt’s all right,” he assured her. “There are matters in Rhíminee I need to attend to. I’ve been gone too long as it is.”
    Alec and the others took their leave. As soon as they were in the corridor, Beka turned and walked quickly toward the back stairs, fists clenched at her sides.
    Alec moved to follow, but Seregil drew him in the opposite direction.
    â€œLet her be, Alec.”
    Alec followed grudgingly, but looked back in time to see Beka wipe angrily at her cheek as she hurried down the stairs.
    Seregil waited until the rest of the house had settled for the night, then stole down to Korathan’s chamber. Light still showed beneath the prince’s door, so he knocked softly.
    Korathan answered, looking less than pleased to see him. “Seregil? What is it?”
    â€œI’d hoped for a word alone with you before I leave for Skala, my lord.”
    For a moment he thought Korathan was going to send him away; instead he waved Seregil to a seat at a small table and poured wine for his unwelcome guest. “Well?” he prompted.
    Seregil raised his cup to the prince, then took a polite sip. “Through all this, my lord, I haven’t heard much of what the queen thinks of your departure from her orders.”
    â€œWhy do you suppose all those dispatch riders have been wearing out horses since I got here?” Korathan pulled off his boots and scratched his foot, favoring Seregil with a sour look. “Count us all lucky that the Iia’sidra voted in our favor, and that Phoria’s too busy with the Plenimarans just now to care about anything but the iron and horses Klia will be sending. Pray to that moon god of yours that the queen remains so occupied for some time. She’s in no mood for—distractions. Is that all?”
    â€œNo. I also wanted to speak with you about Klia.”
    Korathan’s expression softened slightly. “You’ve served her well. You all did. Klia and I will both make that clear to the queen. You’ve nothing to fear in Rhíminee.”
    Seregil took a longer sip, trying to quell the nagging sense that he was about to do something very unwise. “I’m not so certain one fact leads to the other, my lord.”
    â€œHow do you mean?”
    â€œKlia served Skala well. What’s happened here, the progress we won, that was her doing. If she hadn’t won them over the way she did, nothing you or I could have done would have made the difference.”
    â€œAre you here to make sure I don’t steal my little sister’s glory?”
    â€œNo, my lord. I didn’t mean to belittle what you’ve accomplished.”
    â€œAh, I’ll sleep better, knowing that,” Korathan muttered, refilling his cup.
    Undeterred, Seregil plunged on. “I’d like to know whether the decision to keep Klia in Aurënen came from you or Phoria.”
    â€œWhat business is that of yours?”
    â€œI’m Klia’s friend. Phoria