“She’ll be treated like…like…” Zeeriz began.

“Like an honored guest,” Tireel finished.

“Thank you,” Juran said. “Then we’d best let you both get some sleep in preparation for your long flight.”

He pushed back his chair and rose. Auraya turned to face Zeeriz and, finding him gone, looked down. She had ordered high chairs to be made so the Siyee would sit at an equal height to any other occupants of the dining table. It was always a surprise to find herself suddenly towering over them again at the end of a meal.

Zeeriz’s eyes were closed. He swayed a little, then opened them and blinked up at her.

“It’s just not fair how much you landwalkers can drink,” he muttered.

She chuckled. “Let me take you back to your room.”

He nodded and let her guide him out into the corridor. She heard Dyara and Tireel following, still talking. The ambassadors were staying on one of the middle floors of the Tower, close to the dining hall. Auraya and Dyara bade their guests good night, then started toward their rooms. As they reached the great staircase, Dyara gave Auraya a speculative look.

“You seem more worried about this journey than the last,” she observed.

Auraya glanced at Dyara. “I am,” she admitted.

“Why do you think that is?”

“I must do it alone.”

“You can still consult with Juran or me,” Dyara pointed out. “It is more than that, I think.”

Auraya nodded. “Perhaps I didn’t care quite as much whether I succeeded with the Somreyans or not. It’s not that I didn’t care at all,” she hurried to explain, “but the possibility of failing with the Siyee, of giving them reason to dislike us, bothers me. They are, I guess, more trusting of us. The Somreyans weren’t. So, if I fail, it will be akin to betraying their trust.”

“You didn’t feel the same obligation to avoid betraying the trust of the Dreamweavers?”

Auraya shrugged. “They never trusted us in the first place.”

“No,” Dyara replied. She looked thoughtful. “But your friend trusts you. It was a bold move, making him your adviser. I thought it unwise, but it has proved to be quite beneficial.”

Auraya stared at Dyara in amazement, then looked away. Was this approval? From Dyara? Over befriending a Dreamweaver?

Dyara halted at the door to Auraya’s rooms. “Good night, Auraya. I will see you at the farewell tomorrow.”

“Good night,” Auraya replied. “And…thank you.”

Dyara smiled, then turned away to continue up the stairs. As Auraya entered her rooms, she considered Dyara’s words.

“But your friend trusts you.”

She hadn’t had a chance to speak to Leiard in the last few days. Tomorrow she would be leaving early. No chance to see him one last time.

Then tonight is my only chance to say goodbye.