Havlasten sat gracefully sprawled across from me, but I could see the shadows in his cheeks and around the eyes as he rested, and the stiffness with which he had walked through the door a few hours ago bespoke the toll of his illness, even in the month that we had been gone to El Kevrat.

Behind him, I watched her mix her drinks and concoctions, the life of this section of the party, just as Grym roared across the hall, and in the main room, Toradoth apparently guided the orgy along with the Lady Bertio and many of Havlasten’s initiates.  Her beauty was something to behold, but radiance shown from her at events like these.  Yet, her discomfort when we discussed the requirement as the Domina of House Zephyrias to host the other houses was not unfeigned.

“Perhaps not entirely politically motivated my young friend?”

I refocused my gaze upon the Savant of Charm, “My pardons, Havlasten, you were saying?  I am weary from the journey and a bit distracted this evening.”

“No apologies are necessary Tolaryian,” he replied waving a hand languidly in the air as if to brush off a swarm of swamp mites, “I was only speaking about your dear betrothed, the Lady of Vinba.”

I smiled politely, tongue ready to remind him of all the political benefits to me and my distant family if a strong base of trade could be developed here, cutting out the “taxes” of Dhar-as Fanajan.  Instead, worry for Valerus gnawed at me.

“You see too clearly the charm she holds over me.  I must admit, when I first proposed her as the new Domina to replace Manateos, her beauty and grace from our meeting were not last in my thoughts.  After the attacks of Vengeance upon her people, and the scars left upon her own body, her first actions were to the safety of her people, to the healing that she sought for them, protection.  I thought then she could be a true leader.”

“I do not speak of the possibilities of trade and political power, or even leadership, Tolaryian.  I speak of the charms of the greatest weakness or most desired strength any relationship can have my friend, that of the heart.   Perhaps it’s the possibility of my mortality looming near, but you care for her more than as a political alliance.”  He paused, “Or a lever of trade. I should not state this, but so does she.  Start there, build outward.”

I considered his words, watching her laugh at the reactions of one of the guests as she poured another drink.  “I..”

A servant approached, “Dominus Zephyrias, the Grand Vizier is arriving.”  At my nod, he bowed away.”

“My apologies, Havlasten, I fear I must greet our new guest before Grym or Ephrim hear of it.  Perhaps we may continue this enlightening conversation at a later time.”

Another languid wave, “Of course, of course, dear friend,” but I was already walking with concealed dread towards the entrance.