Traitor's Moon

how?” he asked.
    â€œJust think of someone here and will the laces to weave for them.”
    After several unsuccessful tries, Thero managed to knot two strands into an uneven tangle.
    Rhaish chuckled. “Well, perhaps with practice. Allow me to show you something rather more sophisticated.”
    He walked down into the garden and returned with a handful of flowering vines. Taking a gold ring from his finger, he threaded some of the vine through it, then pressed both between his hands. The vine turned to gold before their eyes, each delicate blossom and leaf gleaming like fine jeweler’s work. Rhaish wove it into a wreath and presented it to Klia.
    â€œIt’s lovely!” she exclaimed, placing it on her head. “How wonderful it must be, to create such beauty with such ease.”
    â€œAh, but nothing is ever as easy as it seems. The real magic is in hiding the effort.”
    The conversation rambled on over the wine, as if they’d all gathered for an evening of simple pleasure. Presently, however, Klia gently brought them back to business.
    â€œHonored friends, Lord Torsin í Xandus had describe to me his impressions of the Iia’sidra’s stand regarding our arrival. I would be most interested to hear your thoughts.”
    Adzriel tapped a long finger against her chin as she considered the question, and Alec was again struck by the strong resemblance she bore to her brother.
    â€œIt’s too soon to tell,” she replied. “While you may be certain of the support of Bôkthersa and Akhendi, or the opposition of Virésse, there are still many who remain undecided. Your goal is to gain aide for your embattled country. Yet what you ask requires us to violate the Edict of Separation, thus embroiling you unwittingly in a debate that has been festering here for years.”
    â€œIt doesn’t have to,” Klia countered. “One more open port—that’s all we’re asking for.”
    â€œOne port or a dozen; it’s all the same,” said Riagil. “The Khatme and their supporters want to bar all foreigners from Aurënen soil. Then you have the Virésse; Ulan í Sathil will oppose any change that challenges his monopoly on northern shipping.”
    â€œAnd those who have come to rely on his good favor to market their own wares are being cowed with subtleties not to oppose him,” the Akhendi khirnari added, his face darkening with anger. “Whatever you do, never underestimate Ulan í Sathil.”
    â€œI remember him well, from the negotiations with the Zengati,” said Seregil. “He could charm the stones from the earth, but behind that silky manner lurks the will and the patience of a dragon.”
    â€œI’ve come up against that will many times over the years,” Torsin said with a rueful chuckle.
    â€œWho are his surest allies?” asked Thero.
    Adzriel shrugged expressively. “Goliníl and Lhapnos, without question. Goliníl because of blood ties.”
    â€œAnd Lhapnos because they stand to lose valuable trade routes if Gedre opens and northern goods no longer must be shipped down Lhapnos’s great river and up the coast to Virésse instead of the short way over our mountains,” Rhaish í Arlisandin added.
    â€œThat is true, but I still say it is the Edict itself which creates the greatest opposition,” said Mydri.
    â€œBut that came about because of the murder of Lord Corruth,didn’t it?” asked Alec. “Seregil and I proved who killed him. Hasn’t honor—atui—been served?”
    She shook her head sadly. “That was not the reason for the Edict, only the catalyst. From the time of the first contact between the Tír and the Aurënfaie, many of our race have resisted mingling with Tír of any sort. For some it is a matter of atui. Others, like the Khatme, claim it is the will of Aura. What it comes down to, however, is the simple drive to preserve our kind.”
    â€œAgainst the making of ya’shel like me, you mean?” said Alec.
    â€œYes, Alec í Amasa. As much as you resemble the ’faie, the years run differently in your blood—it shows already in the fact that you are almost man-grown at nineteen. That will slow as you get older, but look at Seregil, and Kheeta; three times your age, but not so far ahead. You are neither Aurënfaie nor Tírfaie, but a mingling of both. There are those who feel that more is