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then,” Wylant snapped. “The Sidearms will NOT be joining me in The Parliament of Ages. Camp north of Porthost and don’t annoy the locals. It’s a direct order and disobeying it may risk us all. Understood?”
    â€œYes, General,” Mazik and the others (except for the speechless Kam) answered at once.
    Wylant shot a careful glance from Mazik to Kam and then to Malli. When she, Tran, and the other Vael turned to leave, Mazik and Hira were already at the young Eldrennai’s sides, holding him back from chasing after the departing Vael.
    â€œWait!” he shouted as Malli vanished into the forest. “Wait!”
    Wylant clenched her fists and sighed.
    â€œAt least he didn’t actually make a grab for her,” Tran said, moving alongside Wylant.
    â€œI suppose.” Wylant allowed. It had been so long since Wylant had set foot in the ancient forest, she’d forgotten how wonderful it was. Tran and Malli were plainly visible to her, but she could sense other Vael around her in the forest even though she could not quite spot them. “How many?”
    â€œGuards?” Tran asked. He grinned broadly. “Thirty. I’m Taking Root soon, so they are all keeping a special eye on me until I find the right spot. Queen Kari wants an outpost close to Porthost and I’ve always enjoyed human watching, so when I felt the time coming upon me, I offered to do it.”
    Wylant shook her head again.
    â€œSo that would be Prince Tranduvallu, then?”
    â€œOnly royal males can become the roots of a home tree,” Tran answered. “So what was it you wanted to speak with Mother about?”
    â€œThe Zaur.” Wylant had spotted five other Vael so far, moving in the branches of the surrounding trees. “Maybe it’s nothing, but I’ve been sensing them on and off for years and it’s getting worse. I want her to keep an extra eye out. I’d also like to meet the Vael representative to the Conjunction.” Wylant suppressed a “ha” as she spotted another six Vael in quick succession.
    â€œKholster Wylant comes to the Parliament worried about the Zaur.” Tran almost clapped his hands together in utter delight. “Who would have thought I’d be lucky enough to see such a thing while still in my mobility?”
    Who indeed? Wylant thought to herself. And am I really that predictable?
    â€œYou’ll like the choice of representatives, too,” Tran continued, “but I’m unsure you’ll learn much. They are still quite young.”
    â€œHow young?”
    Tran stopped and gazed at her, his dark, impassive eyes turning serious. “This crop will be one week old tomorrow.”
    Wylant cursed, but pressed on.

CHAPTER 8
    AERN TEASING
    Breemson, the magistrate, failed to alleviate any of Conwrath’s fears. He’d only met the man a few times, usually very briefly at family events. Somehow Conwrath had never realized the man was this . . . incompetent. Or was it just dealing with the Aern that put him off? It flustered many men, dealing with people who would happily eat someone to whom they’d just been speaking.
    Maybe he’ll get his feet under him soon. The captain watched as the man fretted with his robes and sucked his teeth. A magistrate and a God Speaker for Shidarva. . . . The goddess of justice and retribution seemed to Conwrath to be a hands-on sort of goddess, giving her most ardent followers fair value for their worship, but God Speakers, particularly hers, with the image of their pale blonde goddess tattooed across their bodies: her face inset within the boundaries over their face, her chest over their chest, and so on . . . the thought sent a cold chill up the captain’s back and gave him the flesh crawls.
    Her blue eyes stared out at him below Breemson’s own. Thankfully, they were inanimate for the moment. If the goddess herself were looking on, it