With a final wave, Micum turned his horse south and galloped away.

Seregil remained for a moment, watching his old companion disappear into the evening's dusty haze.

Klia was camped at a prosperous estate just south of the village. Riding through a vineyard, they found Sergeant Mercalle on guard at the front door of the house. She saluted Beka smartly as they rode up, then gave Alec a welcoming wink. Despite her injuries she stood as straight at fifty as the young soldiers on duty beside her.

"Well met, my lords," she greeted them as they dismounted. "I haven't seen you since that fancy send-off you gave us back in Rhiminee."

Seregil grinned. "I remember the early part of the evening, but not much later on."

"Ah, yes." She feigned disapproval. "Thanks to you, most of my riders were carrying sore heads the next morning. Tell me, Sir Alec, do you recall the blessing you gave us when we were all pissed as newts?"

"Now that you mention it, I do seem to remember standing on a table, saying something pretentious as I poured wine on people."

"I wish you'd gotten a few more drops of it on me. It might have saved me a few broken bones," Mercalle said, rubbing her left arm. "Of those you splashed, only one's been killed. The rest are all still with us. You're a luckbringer, and no mistake."

Seregil nodded. "I've always thought so."

They found Klia in a library on the first floor, poring over reports and charts with several uniformed aides.

"Tell him we can't wait for his shipment," she was saying when Seregil entered with Alec and Beka. "There'll be dispatch ships every few days. He can send it along with one of them."

Seregil studied her profile as he waited for her to finish. Klia had always looked more the commander than the princess, but war had left its mark on her all the same. Her uniform hung loosely on her slender frame, and faint worry lines bracketed her mouth when she frowned. A new sword scar cut across the tiny faded burn marks that peppered one cheek.

When she looked up at last and smiled, however, he saw that a little of the girl he'd known lived on in her bright blue eyes.

"So you talked them into it, Captain?" she said to Beka. "Well done. We sail the day after tomorrow. Any trouble on the road?"

Beka gave her a crisp salute. "Just a sore ear from traveling with Seregil, Commander."

Klia chuckled. "I don't doubt it. I expect you want to see your sergeants, eh? You're dismissed."

Saluting again, Beka and the aides withdrew.

Klia watched Beka go, then turned to Seregil. "I'm in your debt for wrangling that commission for her. She's saved my life more than once."

"I hear her turma spends more time behind the enemy than they do in front of them."

"That's what comes of growing up under your influence, and her father's." Klia came around the table to clasp hands with them. "I was afraid you wouldn't come."

"Beka made it clear that the queen had gone to some trouble to smooth my way with the Iia'sidra," Seregil replied. "Under the circumstances, it would've been most ungrateful of me to ignore your request."

"And for that I thank you," she replied with a knowing look. Loyal kinsman he might be, but as an Aurenfaie, exile or not, he was not hers to command. "By the Flame, it's good to see you both! I take it you mean to come with us, Alec?"

"If you'll have me."

"I will, and gladly." She waved them to seats near the window and poured wine. "Aside from my respect for your talents, it may prove favorable to have a second 'faie in my entourage."

Seregil noted Alec's quiet flicker of amusement; Klia had never mentioned his 'faie heritage before.

"Who else is going? Is Captain Myrhini with you?" he asked.

"She's Commander Myrhini now, promoted to take my place in the field," Klia replied with poorly concealed regret. "As for an entourage, it will be a small one. We've done our best to keep word of our journey from getting out, since we're still not sure what Plenimar's intentions are regarding Zengat. The last thing we need is them stirring up trouble for Aurenen just when we want the Iia'sidra's full attention.

"Lord Torsin is already there. Urgazhi Turma will be my honor guard and household; Beka will serve as aide-de-camp. I suppose she's told you that There's coming as my field wizard?"

Like Beka, she stole a quick glance at him as she said this; she'd spent enough of her girlhood underfoot at the Oreska House to know of the famous rivalry.

Seregil sighed inwardly. "A good choice. May I ask how you settled on him?"

"Ostensibly, because the more experienced wizards are needed in the field."

"And the real reason?"

Klia picked up an ornate map weight and tapped it absently against her palm. "You don't walk among swordsmen without a sword, but if your blade is too big, they're insulted and mistrust you. If it's too small, they scorn you. The trick is to find the right balance."

"And if you can make a large sword look smaller and less threatening, then so much the better? Nysander always claimed he was remarkable. A year with Magyana will only have enhanced his talents—perhaps even his personality."

Alec shot him a warning look, but Klia smiled.

"He's an odd duck, I admit, but I'll feel safer having him along. We're facing a great deal of opposition, not the least of which is the fact that there are plenty of Aurenfaie who don't want us going anywhere except Viresse."

"You mean that's not where we're going?" Seregil asked, surprised. No Tirfaie had been allowed to land anywhere except the eastern port since Aurenen had closed its borders.

"There's not much choice," Klia told him. "You can practically walk across the Strait of Bal on the decks of enemy ships these days. We're to land at Gedre. Do you know the place?"

"Very well." The name was tinged with bittersweet memories. "So we're to meet the Iia'sidra there?"

Klia's smile intensified. "No, over the mountains, at Sarikali."

"Sarikali?" Alec gaped. "I never thought I'd see Aurenen, much less Sarikali!"

"I could say the same," Seregil murmured, fighting to retain his composure as a wave of conflicting emotions raged through him.

"There is one more thing you ought to know," she warned. "Lord Torsin has opposed including you."

The words took a moment to register. "Why?"

"He believes your presence will complicate negotiations with some of the clans."

Seregil let out a derisive snort. "Of course it will! Which means

the queen must have some very pressing reason for sending me against the advice of her most experienced envoy."

"Yes." Klia turned the map weight over in her hands. "As envoy to Aurenen, Lord Torsin has served my family faithfully for three decades. There's never been any question as to his loyalty or wisdom. However, in all that time, outsiders have never been allowed beyond the city of Viresse, which means he's more familiar with that clan and their allies in the east. It would be—understandable if his long association with certain khirnari might unconsciously predispose him in their favor. The queen and I believe your westerner's point of view will prove a very valuable balance."

"Perhaps," Seregil said doubtfully. "But as an exile, I have no connections, no influence."

"Exile or not, you're still Aurenfaie, still the brother of a khirnari. As for influence—" She gave him a knowing look. "You know better than most in how many directions that can work. You'll certainly be seen as having my ear. I'm betting that some Aurenfaie will see you as a sympathetic conduit. Alec, too, for that matter."

This was familiar ground. "We'll do what we can, of course."

"Besides which," Klia continued earnestly, "there's no one else in all Skala I'd rather have at my back than the pair of you if things get complicated. I'm not asking you to spy on them, but you do have a talent for ferreting out information."