She turned slowly, her gaze sweeping over the crew. “A little,” she said quietly. “Juran has received several reports of a Pentadrian priest, probably a spy, passing through villages and towns on the north Hanian coast. He has sent Dyara to capture the man and has asked me to approach from the north in order to cut off his escape.”

He nodded, understanding her apprehension. Her training in the use of her Gifts had barely begun. This could be her first sorcerous confrontation.

The gods will protect her, he told himself. And Dyara will probably turn it into a lesson, he added wryly.

Her lips curled into a small smile as she read his mind. “I will return to Jarime with Dyara, so I am leaving you in charge, Danjin Spear.”

“Does Leiard know that you are leaving, or why?”

She shook her head. “Tell him what I have told you, but to the rest say only that I have left to deal with some matter on the coast.”

He nodded. “I will.”

She fell silent, watching the distant coastline. As they drew closer to the land, Danjin fought a growing anxiety. She is one of the Gods’ Chosen, he reminded himself. She can look after herself.

He realized it was not her safety he worried about. She might be forced to kill this spy. It was not a burden he would wish on her any sooner than necessary.

If only Mairae had returned with us, he thought, instead of remaining behind to make arrangements for trade and other delegations to visit under the terms of the alliance. As soon as this thought came he knew it was an unworthy one. Mairae might be fully trained—or so he assumed—but she was as undeserving of the burden of a death on her hands as Auraya was.

The sun crept higher and the coast closer. The dark line Danjin had seen from a distance became a weathered black cliff. A building with several stout towers was visible, built close to the edge of the wall. The boat was lowered into the water. Auraya climbed nimbly down, joining the rowers inside.

Danjin leaned on the railing as he watched them row away. Auraya sat with a straight spine and did not look back.

“Adviser Danjin Spear.”

Danjin turned to find Leiard standing behind him. He wondered how long the Dreamweaver had been there.

“Yes, Dreamweaver Leiard?”

Leiard stepped up to the railing and stared out at the boat. “I gather Auraya will not be joining us for the morning meal.”

Danjin shook his head. “No. She has left to meet Dyara in order to deal with a Pentadrian spy and will return to Jarime by road.”

Leiard nodded. He watched the boat a moment longer, then turned to face Danjin again. The corners of his lips twitched upward. “Then we had best return below before the wafercakes cool.”

Danjin chuckled. Turning from the railing, he followed Leiard below deck.