Traitor's Moon

in conversation, and neither seemed to notice Alec and Seregil in the shadows.
    â€œThen you’ll say nothing?” Alec overheard her whisper to Nyal.
    â€œOf course not, but I must question the wisdom of your silence,” he replied, sounding worried.
    â€œIt is my wish.” Releasing his arm, she walked up the ramp.
    Nyal watched her go, then wandered back up the trail alone, apparently lost in thought.
    Seregil’s hand closed over Alec’s. “Well, well,” he whispered. “Secrets in the dark. How interesting.”
    â€œWe still have nothing. The Akhendi support Klia.”
    Seregil frowned. “And the Ra’basi may not.”
    â€œI still say you’re jumping at shadows.”
    â€œWhat? Alec, wait!” Seregil hissed.
    But Alec was already gone, ambling noisily up the trail. Stones crunched and tinkled under his boots. He hummed aloud for good measure.
    He found the interpreter sitting on a rock beside the trail, looking up at the stars.
    â€œWho’s that?” Alec called out, as if startled to find someone there.
    â€œAlec?” Nyal jumped to his feet.
    Guiltily?
Alec wondered, unable to make out the man’s expression at this distance.
    â€œOh, there you are!” Alec said lightly, striding up to him. “Did the Dravnians wear you out already? There are stories going untold for lack of you.”
    Nyal chuckled, his voice deep and rich in the darkness. “They’ll go on all night whether we understand them or not. Seregil’s throat must be raw by now, left alone with them so long. What are you doing out here all alone?”
    â€œHad to tap the hogshead,” Alec said, patting the lacings of his breeches.
    Nyal looked blank for a moment, then broke into a broad grin. “Piss, you mean?”
    â€œYes.” Alec turned aside to make good his claim.
    Nyal chuckled behind him. “Even when you speak my own tongue, you Skalans are not always easy to understand. Especially the women.” He paused. “Beka Cavish is your friend, isn’t she?”
    â€œA good friend,” Alec replied.
    â€œHas she a man of her own?”
    Still facing away, Alec heard the hope in the man’s voice and felt an irrational twinge of jealousy.
    His own fleeting attraction to Beka in the early days of theirfriendship had been no match for her determination to follow a military career. No doubt the difference in their ages had played a larger part in her mind than his, too. Nyal, on the other hand, was man-grown and handsome besides. There was no faulting Beka’s choice on that account.
    â€œNo, no man of her own.” Tugging his breeches closed, Alec turned to find Nyal still smiling at him. The man was either a consummate actor or more guileless than Seregil cared to believe. “Don’t tell me you fancy her?”
    Nyal spread his hands, and Alec suspected he was blushing. “I admire her very much.”
    Alec hesitated, knowing Seregil would disapprove of what he was about to do. Stepping closer to the ’faie, he looked him in the eye and said gravely, “Beka admires you, too. You asked if I’m her friend. I am, and her almost-brother as well. You understand? Good, then as her almost-brother, I’ll tell you that I like you, too, though I don’t know you well. Are you a man she can trust?”
    The Ra’basi squared his shoulders and made him a respectful bow. “I am a man of honor, Alec í Amasa. I would bring no harm to your almost-sister.”
    Alec stifled an undignified chortle and clapped Nyal on the shoulder. “Then why don’t you go and keep her company?”
    Grinning, Nyal strode off toward the tower. Alec hoped the man’s celebrated hearing wasn’t acute enough to hear his own strangled snort of laughter. Another of a more nervous variety escaped as he stopped to think what his fate would likely be if Beka ever learned that he’d appointed himself the defender of her honor. He hoped the talkative Ra’basi had enough discretion to keep his mouth shut about their little chat. He’d just started back when Seregil emerged from the shadows.
    â€œI thought you said it was too risky to sneak up on people out here?” Alec gasped, startled by his sudden appearance.
    â€œNot with all the noise you were making,” Seregil retorted curtly.
    â€œThen you heard?”
    â€œYes, and you’re either brilliant or a damn