Traitor's Moon

watch the fun. Later, you see him gathering the uncertain ones around him, whispering and wagging his finger. Bilairy’s Balls, the man’s smooth. I wish to hell he was on our side.”
    â€œWhat can you do?”
    Seregil snorted. “If it were up to me, I’d challenge the whole damn lot of them to a horse race and settle the matter! It’s been done before, you know. What are you laughing at?”
    â€œYou. You’re raving. And dripping.” Alec tossed him a cloth from the washstand.
    Seregil gave him an apologetic grin as he toweled off. “And how did you do today? Anything new?”
    â€œNo. It seems I’ve gleaned all I can among the friendlier folk, andI still haven’t found a way to wiggle in among the Haman or Khatme.” He decided not to share how often his presence had drawn challenging stares and whispers of “garshil” in certain quarters. “In Rhíminee, all I had to do was change clothes and blend into the crowd. Here they mark me as outlander and guard their words. I think it’s time I did a little nightrunning.”
    â€œI’ve broached the subject to Klia but she says to wait, honorable woman that she is. Be patient, talí.”
    â€œ
You
counseling patience? That’s a first!”
    â€œOnly because I don’t see any other choice just now,” Seregil admitted. “At least we have a night off. However shall we pass the time?”
    Most of the others were already seated by the time they came downstairs for supper. Long tables had been set up, Skalan style, in the main hall, and Beka waved them over to seats at the end of Klia’s table.
    â€œI wondered where she’d gotten off to all day,” Seregil muttered, seeing Nyal at her side.
    â€œBehave yourself,” Alec warned.
    â€œYou can thank your captain for the fine desserts and cheese we’re having tonight,” Nyal announced as they sat down.
    â€œMe?” Beka laughed. “He got word yesterday of a trader’s caravan coming in from Datsia. We met it outside the city and haggled the best pickings out of them before anyone else was the wiser. You’ve never tasted such honey, Alec!”
    â€œI thought you looked like you’d found something sweet,” Seregil remarked blandly.
    Alec used Thero’s fortuitous arrival to mask the kick he dealt him under the table.
    Klia stood and raised her wine cup, as if they were all comrades in a plain soldier’s mess. “We’ve no priests among us, so I’ll do the honors. By Sakor’s Flame and Illior’s Light. May they smile on our endeavors here.” Turning, she sprinkled a few drops on the floor as a libation, then took a long drink. The others did the same.
    â€œWhat’s the word at the Iia’sidra, Commander?” Zir called from the next table. “Should we keep our packs tight, or settle in?”
    Klia grimaced. “Given our reception so far, Corporal, I’d say you might as well get comfortable. Time seems to mean a great deal less to the ’faie than to us.” She paused, saluting Seregil and Alec with her cup. “Present company excepted, of course.”
    Seregil returned the salute with an ironic chuckle. “If I ever had any Aurënfaie patience, I’ve long since lost it.”
    The windows and doors had been thrown open to let in the soft breeze; evening birdsong provided the meal’s music as the shadows crept slowly across the floor. The only discordant notes were Torsin’s occasional fits of coughing.
    â€œHe’s getting worse,” Thero murmured, watching the envoy dab at his lips with a stained napkin. “He won’t admit it, of course—claims it’s the climate here.”
    â€œCould it be that fever you had?” Beka asked.
    Thero looked blank for an instant, then shook his head. “No, not that. I can see a darkness hovering about his chest.”
    â€œWill he survive the negotiations?” asked Alec, gazing over at the old man with concern.
    â€œBy the Light, the last thing we need is him dying in the midst of all this,” muttered Seregil.
    â€œWhy wouldn’t he let his niece come in his place?” Beka whispered. “Lady Melessandra knows as much of the ’faie as he does.”
    â€œThis is the crowning achievement of a long and distinguished career,” Seregil replied. “I suppose he couldn’t bear not to see it through to