57 AFTERMATH

It took just two days for the Iia'sidra and Korathan to come to terms. That night, under a waning moon, the Eleven met at the Cup of Aura to cast their vote.

The stone circle was ringed with onlookers. Standing among them, Seregil watched with mixed feelings as, one by one, each khirnari dropped their lot into the Cup. When it was finished Brythir sorted the black stones from the white and held them up in his fists. His cracked old voice did not carry well, but word passed from mouth to mouth through the crowd: "Eight white. Eight white! Gedre is open."

A cheer went up from the Skalans.

But only for forty auspicious turnings of the moon, thought Seregil, watching as Ulan i Sathil congratulated Riagil. Viresse would remain open, as well.

Slow change is best, Ulan had said. Three years for the 'faie was not slow, but within that small space of time, Skala's war would be lost or won. If Skala won, then a precedent would be set, and they could try again for permanent trade.

As it stood now, the Skalans were to be allowed a small trade colony at Gedre but no access yet to the interior. No Aurenfaie troops would be levied, but anyone foolish enough to want to join with the Skalans was free to do so.

"It's a beginning, at least," Alec yelled to him over the rising tide of voices. "We can finally go home!"

Seregil gave him a wry smile. "Don't pack up just yet."

In typical Aurenfaie fashion, it took nearly a month to finalize the details of the agreement. Spring gave way to blazing summer, and many of the 'faie who'd come to witness the negotiations went home, leaving the city more empty and haunted than ever.

For days on end the sun burned down from a cloudless sky, turning the turf in the streets sere and brown, though hardy wild roses and summer flowers bloomed in profusion everywhere. Alec finally learned to appreciate the city's forbidding architecture. No matter how hot the day was, the dark stone rooms remained cool. Everyone adopted the Aurenfaie fashion of loose, flowing tunics and trousers of Aurenen gauze.

Alec once again had time on his hands and a great deal less to do. Beka and her riders however, found themselves in greater demand than ever. A steady stream of dispatches went up to Gedre, and Alec and Seregil sometimes went along with them. Nyal was there, helping Riagil oversee preparations for Klia's departure.

Since the vote, the Urgazhi were suddenly also popular with would-be adventurers, who talked excitedly of joining the Skalan cause.

"If they're as brave as they make out, we'll be Urgazhi Troop before we leave here," Sergeant Braknil observed one evening as they returned from a Silmai tavern.

"We'll need them, too," Alec heard Beka mutter.

"You're anxious to get back, aren't you?" he asked, dreading the prospect. It had been easy, all these months, to forget what awaited her when they went back.

"I'm a soldier, and an officer. I've been gone too long," she said softly, watching Braknil's riders laughing together as they walked along ahead of them.

A few nights before they were to leave, Alec and Seregil were summoned to Klia's chamber. Korathan, Thero, and Beka were there already but none of the prince's people.

Klia sat up in a chair by the window. As they came in, she smiled and held out her hands. On the left she wore a fine leather glove; the empty fingers had been artfully stuffed to hide her deformity. "See, I'll be whole yet!" she said.

"She's gaining quickly, isn't she?" Beka whispered to Alec as he took his place beside her. "She'll be walking again before we know it."

Alec had spoken with Mydri earlier and was less optimistic. Despite all the healer's efforts, Klia still had no strength in her legs and could barely hold a cup for herself. The poison had also left her with a slight tremor. Her mind, however, was as sharp as ever.

"That's all of you," said Korathan, abrupt as ever. "Thero, seal this room."

Standing next to Klia's chair, hands clasped behind his back, the prince looked as if he were about to address a regiment. "As vicegerent of Skala, it falls to me to put Gedre in order. Since Klia is still too weak for hard traveling or battle, I'm placing her in command of the supply station at Gedre. She knows these people better than anyone, now that Torsin is gone, and has the status to get us what we need. Riagil i Molan is preparing lodgings and warehouses at the waterfront.

"I'll need a sizable staff," said Klia. "Captain, you and Urgazhi Turma will remain in Aurenen with me."

Beka saluted woodenly, saying nothing, but Alec had seen her hastily masked shock.

"I've asked Thero to remain with me, as well," Klia added.

Korathan glanced down at his sister in surprise. "I thought Elutheus might do better. He's older, and more experienced."

"I'll take any wizards you can spare, Brother, but I'd prefer to retain Thero as my field wizard. He and I are used to one another, aren't we?"

"My lady." Thero bowed deeply, and Alec saw that he, at least, was pleased with this turn of events.

"What about us?" asked Alec.

"Yes, what about us?" said Seregil.

"I'm sorry. Not you."

"But I thought he wasn't exiled anymore. Can't he go wherever you do?" said Alec.

"Under the law, yes," Klia told him. "But it's not politic for him to overstay his welcome, especially as part of my staff. Many of those

who opposed his return haven't changed their minds, and some of them have powerful voices among the clans who voted against the treaty."

"Not to mention the fact that the iron Skala needs is mined in the mountains of Akhendi fai'thast," Seregil added. "I'm not very popular among them. It could raise unnecessary difficulties."

Klia gave him a grateful smile. "I knew you'd understand."

"It's all right," he assured her. "There are matters in Rhiminee I need to attend to. I've been gone too long as it is."

Alec and the others took their leave. As soon as they were in the corridor, Beka turned and walked quickly toward the back stairs, fists clenched at her sides.

Alec moved to follow, but Seregil drew him in the opposite direction.

"Let her be, Alec."

Alec followed grudgingly, but looked back in time to see Beka wipe angrily at her cheek as she hurried down the stairs.

Seregil waited until the rest of the house had settled for the night, then stole down to Korathan's chamber. Light still showed beneath the prince's door, so he knocked softly.

Korathan answered, looking less than pleased to see him. "Seregil? What is it?"

"I'd hoped for a word alone with you before I leave for Skala, my lord."

For a moment he thought Korathan was going to send him away; instead he waved Seregil to a seat at a small table and poured wine for his unwelcome guest. "Well?" he prompted.

Seregil raised his cup to the prince, then took a polite sip. "Through all this, my lord, I haven't heard much of what the queen thinks of your departure from her orders."

"Why do you suppose all those dispatch riders have been wearing out horses since I got here?" Korathan pulled off his boots and scratched his foot, favoring Seregil with a sour look. "Count us all lucky that the Iia'sidra voted in our favor, and that Phoria's too busy with the Plenimarans just now to care about anything but the iron and horses Klia will be sending. Pray to that moon god of yours that the queen remains so occupied for some time. She's in no mood for—distractions. Is that all?"

"No. I also wanted to speak with you about Klia."

Korathan's expression softened slightly. "You've served her well. You all did. Klia and I will both make that clear to the queen. You've nothing to fear in Rhiminee."

Seregil took a longer sip, trying to quell the nagging sense that he was about to do something very unwise. "I'm not so certain one fact leads to the other, my lord."