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wrong!”
    â€œMy dear daughter, nothing is wrong,” said Aelon soothingly. “I have hurried things along, that is all. Momentous events are happening in the world. We cannot wait nine months for the emperor’s son to be born.”
    Treia gaped at her. “I don’t understand…”
    â€œI know and I have much to tell you. But first, I will make us a nice cup of tea and bring you something to eat. Your boy needs nourishment.”
    Treia watched in astonishment as the god waited on her. Aelon brewed a tea that was the most delicious Treia had ever tasted and calmed her spirits. Then the god flicked her hand and all Treia’s favorite foods appeared. She found she was famished, and ate with good appetite. After the meal, Aelon arranged the cushions around Treia, fussed over her, making sure she was comfortable, and then sat down beside her.
    â€œNow for a nice cozy, womanly chat. May I be candid with you, my dear?” Aelon asked.
    â€œYes, certainly,” said Treia.
    â€œYour husband, Raegar, is a strong ruler and a great warrior, but, let us face it, Treia, he is a man and as such he has his limits. He knows nothing about summoning dragons and he will need the Dragon Fala, to fight for him should we go to war. Fala is most upset with your husband’s bungling and has threatened to leave my service. The dragon likes you and has agreed to serve you. Knowing this, I have arranged for your son to be born ahead of time, so that you will be ready to help in the event we go to war.”
    Treia gazed at the god in wonder.
    â€œAll this time, I have felt so useless … so alone.…” Treia began to sob again.
    Aelon put her arms around her and held her close, rocking her and soothing her.
    â€œNever alone, Treia,” Aelon murmured. “You are dear to me. I have seen your son’s future. He will be the most powerful ruler in the world, lord of all the people of all the nations. He will make his mother proud.”
    Treia sank to her knees on the floor. “Aelon, forgive me! I have been jealous of you and my husband. The two of you seem so close. I feared you were trying to take him from me.”
    â€œWhat a silly goose you are, my child,” said Aelon in loving tones. “You know better now, don’t you? You are Empress of Sinaria. All will know it, for I give you this gift.”
    Aelon removed the heavy gold necklace made of serpents and fastened it around Treia’s neck. “A mark of my love and esteem.”
    Treia drew in a deep breath and placed her hand reverently upon the necklace. The gold was still warm from the touch of the god.
    â€œThank you, Aelon! I am yours to command!”
    â€œI know, Daughter,” said Aelon, smiling. “I know.”

 
    CHAPTER
    6
    Torval’s Hall was high in the mountains, overlooking a vast sea where Joabis said his dragonship was waiting for him. Skylan expected the god to whisk them through the ether, as he had taken him to visit the Norn, but Joabis insisted that they had to walk.
    The path that led from the hall to the shore was rocky, steep, and difficult to traverse, especially in the snow and ice. Skylan slid and slipped down the side of the mountain, and by the time they reached the shore, he was scraped and bruised and in an ill humor.
    â€œNow you know why I rarely visit Torval,” Joabis grumbled, plucking pine needles from his hair. “He won’t set a toe on my island, however, so I have no choice but to come to him.”
    Skylan looked back up at Torval’s Hall. The top of the mountain was shrouded by storm clouds and he could not see it.
    â€œWhere is this ship of yours?” he asked Joabis.
    â€œI beached it in a cove not far from here.”
    Joabis led the way, walking across the sand. The air was much warmer. The sun beat down on them, as though Aylis didn’t much like Joabis, and Skylan was soon sweating and regretting wearing his heavy