She sighed and shifted a little. It would be unfair to the Siyee to keep the possibility of war from them until after they made their decision. Telling them of it might dissuade them from an alliance with the White, however. She would have to make them see that turning down the alliance and avoiding involvement in a war would not save them from the Pentadrians. If the Toren settlers could present a threat to them, so could invaders.

The Siyee might decide to take that risk. After all, the Pentadrians might not invade Northern Ithania. However, she couldn’t gamble that war wouldn’t come and that she didn’t need to warn the Siyee. Even learning that she had kept the possibility of war from them would anger them.

It almost seems as if the Pentadrians have spread the idea they’re planning a war in order to dissuade anyone from allying with the White, she thought. Then she shook her head. That is too devious to be true. The Pentadrians haven’t even visited Si. They’ve shown no signs of wanting the Siyee, who worship Huan, as allies.

She shifted again, her sling bed rocking with the movement.

I will have to tell the Siyee of the threat of war eventually, she thought. If I choose the right time, perhaps I can still convince them the alliance is beneficial to them. After all, with the gods on our side we can’t lose.

Holding onto that thought, she finally surrendered to the call of sleep.

:Auraya.

The voice was a whisper in her mind.

:Auraya.

This time it was stronger. She struggled awake and blinked at the darkened room. It was empty, and when she searched for minds, she found none close by. Had it been a mental call?

No, it had the feel of a dream about it, she decided. I think I dreamed that someone called me. She closed her eyes. Time stretched out, and she forgot about the dream.

:Auraya.

She felt herself rising toward consciousness, like floating up to the surface of water. Her awareness of the caller’s mind faded. She opened her eyes, but did not bother searching for the speaker. He was limited to the dream.

He? She felt her heart skip a beat. Who else would be calling for her in a dream but Leiard?

Abruptly, Auraya was wide awake, her heart racing. Should I answer? If I did would we be dream-linking? Dream-linking is a crime.

So is using a Dreamweaver’s services, she thought. A ridiculous law. I want to know what dream-linking is. What better way than to join one?

But if I engage in a dream link, I will be breaking a law. And so will he.

It’s not as if I’m a helpless victim. I could make him stop at any time.

Or could I?