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worries or problems hovering over our heads. We would discover small caches of food and water along
our path. And while I didn t have the feeling that someone watched us, I felt that the Sandseeds knew
where we were, and the provisions were their way of extending their hospitality to a distant cousin.
Eventually, we left the plains. Skirting east of the Citadel, we headed north through the Featherstone
clan s lands. Careful to travel at night and hide during the day, it took us three days to reach the
Ambassador s retinue.
I had lost track of the days and been surprised to see their camp, but Valek had known they would be
about a half-day s walk to the Ixian border. After determining where the Sitian spies hid, Valek
changed into his Ilom disguise, and slipped into the camp in the middle of the night. I waited and
approached the next day. There was no reason for me to hide, and, if I went back to Ixia, the Sitian spies
could report back to the Keep and the Council that I had left.
The Ixians had begun to pack up their equipment when I rode in on Kiki. One tent still stood, but Ari and
Janco rushed over to greet me before I could reach it.
Didn t I tell you, Ari? She s come to say goodbye after all. And you were pouting and miserable for
days, Janco said.
Ari just rolled his eyes, and I knew if anyone was miserable it was Janco.
Or have you decided that you can t bear to be parted from us and are going to disguise yourself as a
soldier and come back to Ixia? Janco s smile was hopeful.
Beating you in a bow fight every day is really tempting, Janco.
He scoffed. I know your tricks now. I won t be so easy to beat.
Are you sure you want me to come? I have a tendency to cause trouble.
That s what I m counting on, Janco said. Life has been so dull without you.
Ari shook his massive head. We don t need any more trouble. The diplomatic niceties started falling
apart between the Ambassador and the Sitian Council toward the end. Before we left, one of the
Councilors had accused the Ambassador of bringing Valek to Sitia to assassinate the Council.
Not good, I said. The Sitians are constantly worried the Commander will want to take control of their
lands. And I would be, too, knowing that Valek possessed the skills to assassinate the Councilors as well
as the Master Magicians, creating enough chaos so there is little resistance to an Ixian attack.
I shook my head, sighing. The Ixians and Sitians viewed the world so differently. They needed someone
to help them understand each other. A strange feeling churned in my stomach. Fear? Excitement?
Nausea? Perhaps all three; it was hard to tell.
Speaking of Valek, Janco said, I take it he s well?
You know Valek, I said.
Janco nodded, grinning.
I d better talk to the Ambassador. I slid off Kiki. Before I could move, Ari s large hand grabbed my
arm.
Just make sure you say goodbye to Janco, Ari said. You think he s annoying when he s in a good
mood; he s worse when he s in a bad mood.
I promised Ari, but as I walked to the Ambassador s tent, that odd feeling in the pit of my stomach
became almost painful. Goodbye seemed so final.
One of the two guards outside the tent ducked inside to announce me. He came out and held the flap for
me to enter. Ambassador Signe sat at a canvas table, drinking tea with Valek still dressed as Adviser
Ilom. Signe dismissed him and I caught a look and the word tonight from Valek before he left the tent.
Bypassing the pleasantries, Signe asked, Have you decided if you re going to visit us?
I took the Commander Ambrose s order of execution from my pack. My hand trembled slightly and I
took a breath to steady my nerves. With this unfortunate clash of opinions between Ixia and Sitia, I
believe you both will need a liaison. A neutral party who knows both countries and can facilitate
negotiations, assisting them in understanding each other better. Meaning I wouldn t spy for Ixia, but I
offered to help. I handed Signe the order. The Commander must decide what to do with it.
And there he stood in Signe s uniform, studying me with his powerful gold eyes. I blinked several times.
The transformation from Signe to Commander Ambrose was so complete that I could only see a faint
resemblance to the Ambassador in his face.
The Commander rolled up the execution order and tapped it on his palm as his gaze grew distant.
Considering all the options, I thought, he never made a hasty decision.
A valid point, he said.
He stood and paced the small area. I saw a bedroll on the floor behind him and a lantern. The tent and
table appeared to be his only luxuries.
Commander Ambrose stopped then tore my execution order into small pieces, sprinkling them onto the
ground. Turning, he held out his hand to me. Agreed, Liaison Yelena.
Liaison Yelena Zaltana, I corrected as we shook hands.
We discussed the Commander s plans for Ixia and how he wanted to expand trade with Sitia. He
insisted I finish my magical training before becoming the official liaison. Before I left, I witnessed
Ambassador Signe s return. It was then that I felt, for a brief moment, that two souls resided within one
body. That would explain why he had been so successful at keeping his secret.
I mulled over the interesting idea to keep my mind off the startling fact that I was going to return to the
Keep. The Ambassador s retinue finished packing. I told Ari and Janco that I would see them again.
Next time, your ass is mine, Janco sang.
Keep your skills sharp, Ari ordered.
It was bad enough having two mothers, now I have two fathers, I teased.
Send word if you need us, Ari said.
Yes, sir.
I headed south as the Ixians traveled north. Pulling a thread of magic, I projected my awareness. One of
the Sitian spies followed me in hopes that I would meet up with Valek. I sent the man a confusing array
of images until he lost all sense of what he was supposed to do.
Remembering Valek s promise, I didn t travel too far. I found an empty wooded area between two
farms and set up a small campsite. As the sunlight faded, I projected my awareness into the surrounding
woods. A few bats began to wake and a couple rabbits crept through the underbrush. All was quiet
except for the steady approach of Cahil and his men.
He didn t try to mask his movements. Bold and cocky, Cahil left his men guarding the edge of the wood
while he continued toward me. I sighed, more annoyed than scared, and reached for my bow.
I glanced around. Nowhere to hide on the ground, although the tree canopy might offer some protection.
It might work except Marrok waited with Cahil s men. And I was certain the Captain s tracking skills
had led Cahil to me. I would have to resort to using magic in my defense. Projecting, I reached toward
Cahil s mind.
His emotions boiled with hate, but he had tempered them with a cold calculation. He stopped at the edge
of my camp and inclined his head. May I join you?
It depends on your intentions, I said.
I thought you could read my intentions. He paused. I see you have decided to stay in Sitia. A bold
move considering the Council will know about your involvement with Valek.
I m not a spy, Cahil. And the Council needs a liaison with Ixia.
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