Traitor's Moon

lost than gained by such a breeding.
    â€œBut I think it’s the Skalan wizards who concern them most of all,” she went on, looking at Thero. “The wizards of Skala call themselves the Third Orëska. The First Orëska is my own race. The mingling of blood gave your people magic, but it also changed that magic over the years. The barrenness of your kind is only part of that change. You can move objects, even people, over great distances, some of you, and read thoughts, a practice strictly forbidden here. You have lost the power of healing, as well.” Mydri touched the marks on her cheeks. “This is left to priests of other gods.”
    â€œThe drysians,” Seregil said.
    â€œYes, the drysians. The only vestiges of that gift seem to exist among the Plenimarans, who took the gift of Aura and mingled it with the black cults of Seriamaius to create necromancy, the perversion of healing.”
    â€œThis was all being debated generations ago,” Adzriel explained. “Corruth’s disappearance was only the final puff of wind that caused the smoldering tinder to ignite. Our people still trade with lands to the south and west of Aurënen. The reason they were not included in the ban is that there is no magic among the ya’shel bred of their kind.”
    Thero blinked in surprise. “No magic?”
    â€œNone that they did not already possess,” Säaban amended. “Thus, the existence of the Third Orëska itself remains an impediment in the minds of some, no matter how persuasive your argument. But to answer your original question, those who stand now against you are Virésse, Goliníl, Lhapnos, and Khatme, four of the Eleven already.”
    â€œWhat about Ra’basi?” asked Alec, thinking of Nyal. “They border Virésse to the south, don’t they?”
    â€œMoriel ä Moriel has not stated her clan’s position openly, nor have the Haman, for whom the opening of Gedre would almost certainly work to advantage. They have withheld support out of loyalty to their allies in Lhapnos.”
    â€œAnd to spite Bôkthersa,” Seregil said quietly.
    Säaban nodded. “That, as well. Ill will still clouds their judgment. The Silmai, Datsia, and Bry’kha are also elusive; as far west as they are, with trade to the west and south and blood ties mostly among themselves, they have little to gain or lose.”
    â€œWho among those three has the most influence?” asked Klia.
    â€œBrythir í Nien of Silmai is the Elder of the Iia’sidra, greatly respected by all,” said Mydri, and others nodded agreement around the circle.
    â€œThen perhaps Aura is smiling on our endeavors, after all,” said Klia. “We dine with him tomorrow.”
    The gathering moved indoors as the night air cooled. Alec overheard Thero, Mydri, and Säaban comparing spells and would have joined them, but found himself cornered by a succession of well-intentioned Bôkthersans. Across the room, Seregil was just visible in a small crowd of well-wishers.
    On his own for the moment, Alec soon gave up trying to keep track of the intricate family connections each new acquaintance listed off to him.
    â€œIf the ban of exile is ever lifted, you can be initiated into our clan as his talímenios, you know,” a woman informed him in the course of one such conversation.
    â€œThat would be a great honor. I was also hoping to trace who my mother’s people were.”
    The faces around him grew solemn. “Not to know your family line, that is a great tragedy,” the woman said, patting his hand kindly.
    â€œHow long have you been talímenios?” asked Kheeta, coming over to join them.
    â€œTwo years,” Alec told him, watching for a reaction.
    But Kheeta merely nodded approvingly as he looked across at Seregil. “It’s good to see him happy at last.”
    â€œWhere are Seregil’s other sisters?”
    Kheeta made a sour face. “Adzriel brought only Bôkthersans who accept Seregil’s return. Don’t be misled by what you see here.There are a great many who don’t. Shalar and Ilina count themselves among that group. I suppose it’s understandable with Shalar; she was in love with a Haman and the match was forbidden after—well, the trouble. As for Ilina, she and Seregil were closest in age, but they never got on.”
    More discord; no wonder Seregil never spoke of his