Shadows Return - Lynn Flewelling [18]
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 hell 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 Aurënen.”
“Friends Phoria fears could turn to allies?” Seregil scoffed. “That’s an insult to Klia and 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 assured 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.
“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 Aurënfaie 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 assassin’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