"What other wizards are with the prince?" he asked, accepting a cup of wine gratefully as he watched the healer work.

"Just the prince's field wizard, Wydonis."

"Oh, yes, I remember him. One arm. A bit stuffy at banquets. He didn't think much of Nysander's entertainments."

"No, but he respected his abilities. He's been given Nysander's old tower since you left."

Seregil clenched his cup, fighting down the sudden lump that rose in his throat at the thought of those familiar rooms being occupied by anyone else. Looking up, he saw Alec watching him over the drysian's shoulder, understanding in his blue eyes.

"How did he wrangle that, I wonder?" Seregil asked, trying to make light of it.

"He's wizard to the vicegerent now," said Elutheus.

Seregil finished his wine and accepted more, impatient for the drysian to finish. When the man was gone, Seregil took out the Akhendi bracelet. "Can you seal this away from prying eyes without disturbing the magic it contains?"

"Someone keeps using it to find us and we don't want to be found, especially not here," Alec put in. "Nysander used to seal things up in jars."

"Of course." Elutheus rummaged in a small trunk and came up

with a small clay bottle sealed with a cork. Placing the bracelet inside, he replaced the plug, secured it with a bit of string, and spoke a spell over it. Bluish light flickered around it for an instant. When it died away, he handed it to Seregil.

"Not elegant, perhaps, but this should keep you safe until you open it again. Now then, what are you doing here?"

"We're here on Klia's behalf," Seregil replied, cautious again. "What was all that talk about spies?"

Elutheus shook his head. "Phoria has been busy in her sister's absence. Even before the queen died, Phoria was using the Iia'sidra's inaction to stir up bad feeling against Aurenen, no doubt in preparation for taking what she needs by force. Hence Korathan's presence here now. Plenimar is pressing hard on our eastern borders, and she's grasping at straws."

Seregil shook his head. "I can understand her impatience, but to start a second war against a race that can fight you for centuries, and with magic—it's madness! Where are her mother's old advisers? Surely they've tried to talk her out of it?"

"Phoria listens only to her generals and sycophants. Even Oreska wizards can find themselves open to charges of treason if they're not careful. Lady Magyana has already been banished."

"Magyana? What for?" Seregil counterfeited surprise with his usual ease.

Elutheus studied him for a moment. "It was she who sent word to you, was it not?"

Chagrinned, Seregil said nothing.

"That's all right." The wizard shrugged, smiling. "We keep the secrets that must be kept, those of us who watch."

Alec gave Seregil a startled look behind the wizard's back, then made the sign for "Watcher?"

Seregil stared at the wizard, trying to gauge the man's expression, then said noncommittally, "What would you swear by?"

"Heart, hands, and eyes."

Relief washed through Seregil. "You? I had no idea."

"I was only guessing about you," the wizard replied with a wry smile. "There were always rumors, given your close association with Nysander. I must say, you've concealed yourself well all these years; you've been sorely missed at the gaming tables and pleasure houses since you disappeared this last time. Half of Rhiminee thinks you're dead."

"They were almost right. Now, where's Korathan? The message we carry is for his ears only."

"He should be catching us up very soon," the wizard told them, conjuring up a message sphere. "My lord Korathan," he said, speaking to the little point of light. "We have messengers aboard from your sister, bearing most urgent news."

"There," he said, sending it on its way and rising to go. "Rest now, my friends, and don't let the prince scare you. He's not a bad fellow, so long as you're direct with him."

Seregil chuckled. "I knew him in his younger days. He didn't laugh much, but he was always good for a loan."

Elutheus shook his head. "Luck in the shadows, boys."

"And in the light, wizard," Seregil replied.

"Things are looking up," Seregil remarked when the wizard had left them. "If we can get Korathan to Sarikali, we'll go along with him. It's as safe a ploy as I can think of, given the circumstances."

"Wait a minute," Alec said, frowning. "You 're not thinking of going back?"

"I have to, Alec."

"But how? You've broken every law they laid down for your return—leaving the city, carrying a weapon, not to mention the fact that you killed a few people during the ambush."

"So did you, as I recall."

"Yes, but I'm not the one Nazien i Hari and the entire Iia'sidra invoked teth'sag against."

Seregil shrugged. "There's no other way."

"Horse shit, there isn't! I'll go. I'm just a stupid Skalan. They won't go as hard on me."

"No, and they won't listen to you, either." Seregil pulled his stool closer and clasped Alec's hand. "It's not just about the poisonings for me anymore, or explaining Korathan's sudden arrival."

"What then?"

"Honor, Alec. I broke teth'sag and left Sarikali because circumstance required it. If we can convince Korathan to play things our way, act as if he's come on Klia's account, then our journey's been worth the risk. But I need to finish that job properly. We have to clear Emiel and the Viresse. We have to find out which Akhendi were involved, and why. We might even get Phoria what she needs, whether she wants us to or not."

"And prove to them that you're not the Exile who ran away?" Alec asked.

"Yes. Because that's all I'll ever be in the minds of my kin forever, unless I go back and make things right."

"They could sentence you to death this time."

Seregil gave him a lopsided grin. "If they do, I'll need your help to make another dazzling escape. But this way it's my choice and, for once, I'm choosing honor. I need you to understand, tali." He paused, thinking of that last strange dream and all the other visions he'd been given since his return. "It's something the rhui'auros have been trying to tell me since we arrived."

"Honor, or atui?"

"Atui," Seregil admitted. "To act as a true Aurenfaie, whatever the consequences."

"You picked a hell of a time to start caring about that again."

"I always cared," Seregil said softly.

"All right then, we go back. How?"

"We'll surrender in Gedre and let them take us back."

"And if Riagil is in league with the Akhendi after all?"

"We'll find out soon enough."

Alec looked down at their clasped hands and rubbed his thumb over Seregil's knuckles. "You really believe this will all work?"

For a moment Seregil could almost feel the oppressive heat of the dhima, hear the clink of glass against glass. "Oh, yes. I have a gift for this sort of thing."