"Good." Phoria sat back, regarding Alec and Seregil again. "As for you two, I am satisfied for now. In fact, I have a task for you-one you're well suited to."

"We are yours to command, Majesty," replied Seregil.

"You most certainly are. You're going to Aurenen as my emissaries to Princess Klia. My half sister is to return at once and resume her duties as my field commander. Her swift obedience is imperative, as proof of her love. You are to return with her as quickly as possible. Is that clear?"

"As spring water, Majesty. But crossing the Osiat this time of year-it's already late enough that there could be problems."

"I'll give you a decent ship."

"Am I to go with them, Majesty?" asked Thero.

"What use would you be? There's work enough for you here. You're dismissed."

Thero bowed and made a hasty retreat. He didn't look at the others, but Alec saw the angry flush suffusing his thin cheeks.

"I'm sending an escort for you under the command of Lord Traneus. And I've had these prepared." She gestured to Korathan, who stepped down and handed Seregil three small, painted sticks.

Alec recognized them; they were message wands. These talismans were infused with a simple magic, usually a message of some sort, which would be released when the wand was broken in two. Such devices required no magic from the user; even Seregil could make them work.

"Use the red one when you arrive at Gedre, to signal that you arrived safely," the prince explained. "The blue is for Bokthersa. The last is for Klia. She's to break it on the morning she sets out to return. The messages will come to me directly."

"I trust your sister will have no objection to the princess cutting short her visit there?" asked Phoria.

Seregil's expression betrayed nothing but mild surprise. "I'm certain she won't, Majesty. She understands the gravity of the situation."

Phoria rose. "I'm sure I don't need to stress the importance of your task. Korathan, I'll leave the rest to you. Farewell, my lords, and may your voyage be a swift one."

Alec stood at stiff attention as she took her leave, then let out a shaky breath.

Korathan grinned at him. "You look like you've just escaped the block, Lord Alec."

"I think maybe we just did." Seregil strolled over and hitched himself up on the edge of the dais. "So, how long did it take you to talk her out of having us executed?"

"Oh, not quite so bad as all that. There was talk of exiling you, though."

This was too much for Alec. "For what? What did we ever do to her?"

"She knows of your role exposing her indiscretion in the Leran affair and the 'misplaced' gold shipment she and Vicegerent Barieus were embroiled in."

"Completely by accident!" Seregil reminded him. "We didn't know anything about it when we started, and we've never said anything about it since."

"True, but you know how she is. She was embarra.s.sed, politically and personally, and not likely to forgive you for that. But that's not all. There's also your close friendship with Klia. And now Klia is fast friends with your sister, the khirnari of a powerful clan."

"Ah, so that's why she was even colder to me than usual," Seregil said with a wry smirk. "Now my whole clan is conspiring against her, too? This little jaunt is really a loyalty test all around."

"But Klia has served Phoria well in Aurenen," Alec pointed out. "The agreements she got securing stores and trade, and wizards to fight for her-surely that's been to Skala's benefit?"

"Of course it has, but Phoria would bite off her own tongue rather than admit it."

"Why?"

"Because the plan was our mother's, not hers, and Klia was the one to support it."

"So Phoria's still putting her trust in swords over magic," added Seregil.

"Always, and Skalan swords in particular."

"And Phoria can't see past her own jealousy," Alec muttered.

Korathan gave him a warning look. "Remember where you are and whom you're speaking of! She's the queen, and my sister."

Alec made him a hasty bow. "I beg your pardon, Highness."

"So, what's the plan?" asked Seregil, shooting Alec a warning look of his own.

"Your ship, the Lark, Lark, is berthed at the Lantern Street quay. You sail with the tide at first light." is berthed at the Lantern Street quay. You sail with the tide at first light."

"The queen seems in a hurry to get us out of town."

"More anxious to settle the matter, I think." Korathan took a thick packet sealed with the Royal Signet from his coat and gave it to Seregil. "Here are letters of pa.s.sage to the khirnaris of Gedre and Bokthersa, and Phoria's orders to Klia. Come back swiftly, and you may just buy yourself some favor."

Seregil hopped down and made Korathan an exaggerated bow. "Your royal errand boys hear and obey, Highness."

"Seregil-"

"Don't worry, I understand how important this is. There's just one thing I'd like to ask you before we go. As a friend?"

Korathan softened noticeably at that. "Go on."

"Will you give me your word that Phoria means no harm to her sister?"

Korathan thought a moment, then put his hand to his heart. "I give you my word that I believe her when she says so."

"Hmm. Very well. I'll bring Klia home safely, and trust you to keep her that way once she's here."

"One of these days, that mouth of yours is going to get you into serious trouble."

"Has before. Will again, I expect. Take care, Highness. I'm glad it's you standing beside the throne."

They took their leave, but it wasn't until they were free of the Palace that Alec could finally breathe freely. "Phoria must have been satisfied with our answers, or she wouldn't have given us a commission, right?"

Seregil shrugged, looking more upset now than he had when Phoria was insulting them. "It could have been worse. At least we have something worthwhile to do."

Alec waited for him to say more, but Seregil was uncharacteristically quiet as they rode to the Oreska to catch up with Thero.

We lied, Alec realized. Given the choice between following Klia or Phoria, there would be no question. He prayed it never came to that. Alec realized. Given the choice between following Klia or Phoria, there would be no question. He prayed it never came to that.

Perpetual summer reigned in the walled gardens that surrounded the Oreska House. The shining white palace, with its four domed towers, gleamed against the faultless blue sky. Here were beds of flowers and herbs, and groves of trees covered in every sort of fruit. Magyana had brought back many of the most exotic ones, found in her long years of traveling.

Red-liveried servants bowed to them as they entered the echoing atrium. Sunlight streamed down through the central dome, making the brilliant mosaic that paved the entrance chamber glow. The great Dragon of Illior was whole again. Looking around at the graceful archways and the scores of robed wizards and apprentices going peacefully about their business, it was as if the devastation of the Plenimaran attack had never happened. Nysander was gone, but, Alec reminded himself, so were Mardus and his followers. The Oreska remained, strong and powerful. Why was Phoria so bent on alienating them?

"You're gaping," Seregil chuckled as they crossed to the staircase leading up to what was now Thero's tower. As they reached the top, however, he was no longer smiling. They'd been in to visit Magyana several times since their return, but had avoided these rooms until now.

Wethis answered Alec's knock. The young servant had grown up since Alec had seen him last and was sporting the beginnings of a pa.s.sable beard. "My lords! It's good to see you. Master Thero and Mistress Magyana are waiting in the parlor downstairs."

Gone were the precipitous stacks of dusty ma.n.u.scripts in the entry, and the jumbled wonders covering every flat surface. Everything was orderly and clean now, though evidence of Thero's own work was everywhere visible in the neatly arranged books and papers, and the various crucibles simmering over little braziers. The freshly polished steel and bra.s.s astronomical instruments arranged on the walkway below the leaded gla.s.s dome gleamed. It was at once pleasant and sad, and Alec saw the same emotions warring in Seregil's grey eyes as he looked around, taking it in for the first time.

The painted parlor was less changed, if neater. The fine mural painted with monsters and marvels still ringed the room, and its innate magic still tugged at the eye, even though Alec knew what it was up to now. The overstuffed furnishings were the same, well-worn and comfortable.

The wizards rose from their chairs by the fire as Wethis ushered them in. Magyana embraced them, her smile making the wrinkles around her eyes and mouth deepen and tilt. "So she's finally found something for you to do, has she? Did she give you my message sticks?"

Seregil took them from his coat and handed them to her. "You think she's tampered with them?"

"That would be very difficult." Nonetheless, she examined each one closely. "Yes, these are mine, and still properly magicked. You should have no difficulty using them."

"Phoria must trust you to have you make these," Alec remarked. "She doesn't seem very fond of any wizards these days, especially those who knew Nysander."

"It was her brother who came to me."

"We thought you might like to have these, as well." Thero reached into his sleeve and handed Seregil another set of sticks, similar in design, but painted different colors. "The yellow is for Gedre, and the green for Bokthersa. The brown one is in case Klia does decide to defy her sister. The messages will come to me."

"Thank you. Alec, you hang on to these so we don't get them mixed up. And I don't think we want Captain Traneus to see us use them."

Magyana's grey brows shot up. "That reptile? Watch out for him."

"That's going to be difficult, seeing as how Phoria's put him in charge of our escort."

"What the h.e.l.l is going on, Thero?" asked Alec. "Why did Phoria call you and the turma back first, if she was going to call Klia back anyway? Does she really think Klia would betray her?"

Thero waved them to seats by the hearth and poured the wine into the ornate crystal goblets. "I can't say what was in the queen's mind, of course, but it can't have been lost on her that Klia has made a great many friends in Aurenen."

"Friends Phoria fears could turn to allies?" Seregil scoffed. "That's an insult to Klia and and the 'faie." the 'faie."

"It could be construed that way," the wizard replied. "However, Prince Korathan indicated in his letters that Phoria is merely being cautious."

"Or the family mad streak is coming out," Alec muttered.

"Queen Phoria is not mad," Magyana a.s.sured him. "She is a canny ruler, though, and a cautious one. I suspect that until Princess Klia bends her knee before her, that caution will prevail."

"How did Klia react to Urghazi Turma being taken from her?"

"Phoria's order indicated that Captain Beka Cavish is to prepare the rest of the regiment to receive their commander," Thero replied.

Seregil gave him a crooked grin. "Sounds like you became her close adviser, down there together for so long." The grin widened a bit as a faint blush rose to color the young wizard's cheeks.

Klia-and Thero? Alec tried not to laugh, picturing those two as a couple. Alec tried not to laugh, picturing those two as a couple.

"So, what happened at the Palace after Phoria sent me out?" Thero asked, quickly composing himself. "I see you both have your heads on your shoulders."

Seregil quickly sketched out the situation, then turned to Magyana. "What can you tell me about this Traneus fellow?"

"I'd never heard of him until Idrilain lay dying that terrible winter in Mycena, just before you two were sent off to Sarikali. After that, Phoria never seemed to be without him. He had been a corporal in her guard, then suddenly he was a captain, and a lord. He has a nasty habit of turning up like a stray cat anywhere someone voices support for anyone but her. He certainly had his eye on me then."

Alec sighed. "So much for her trusting us."

"It's probably Klia he's being sent to spy on, rather than us," said Seregil. "And besides, we've nothing to worry about. We're doing exactly what Phoria wants."

"The queen leaves nothing to chance, and she likes to hold all the cards," Thero warned. "I'd have given you more warning, but she's had me under watch since my ship came in yesterday. Did you get any of my letters?"

"So you did write? No, not one," Seregil replied. "Is Klia well?"

"Oh yes, and well loved by your clan, and their allies."

"Do you think she'll come back?" asked Magyana.

Thero nodded. "Of course she will. She's wanted nothing else since the Aurenfaie signed the accord. It's been very difficult for her, getting news of the war but not being able to do anything."

The older wizard sighed. "Phoria has been very foolish, keeping such an able commander from the field."

"It looks like she finally figured that out," said Seregil.

"How's Klia's hand, Thero?" asked Alec.

"It healed well." During their diplomatic visit to Sarikali, an a.s.sa.s.sin's poison had cost her two fingers on her right hand. "The poison caused no lasting damage but she has only limited use of it now."

"Did Phoria give you any idea what she has planned for you after you've done this?" asked Magyana.

"No. I imagine she's waiting to see if we actually obey."

"And?"

"We will, of course. We've only just gotten settled in the new place. I'm not ready to be run out of town just yet. Not on her say-so, anyway. What about you, Thero? What will you do, without the Watchers to oversee?"

"I have my own work. To be honest, I'm almost relieved. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do. Nysander kept me out of most of his Watcher business until those last few months." He paused, one corner of his mouth tightening with a hint of lingering bitterness. "It was always you and Mic.u.m, coming and going mysteriously, and whispers behind closed doors."

"He did trust you," Seregil a.s.sured him. "He wouldn't have kept you with him if he didn't. You were the best student he ever had."

"Perhaps."

Seregil reached over and squeezed his hand. "He told me so himself, many times. Don't ever doubt it."

Thero managed a sad smile, then changed the subject, telling them of his time at Bokthersa, and giving Seregil news of his family and friends.

"Well, we should be getting back before Mic.u.m storms the prison looking for us," Seregil said when Thero finished, rising to go.

"Please give him my regards, and ask him to visit me here soon," said Thero.