Up close, Rian appeared to be no older than twenty, and Danjin had to remind himself that this man’s true age was nearer to fifty. It was not so easy to forget who Rian was, however. He carried himself as if conscious and proud of his position, and, unlike Auraya, he was always serious and formal. His way of looking at others without blinking was uncanny.

“The observations of your family in regard to the sale of weapons to the Pentadrians have proved accurate,” Rian said. “Do you believe they may have other useful information?”

Danjin pursed his lips. “Perhaps.” But whether they would tell me is a question I can’t answer, he added.

Rian’s eyebrows rose. “Do you believe they would be willing to act as spies for the White?”

Spies? Danjin realized he was staring at Rian and lowered his eyes. Would they? He considered how his father and brothers might react to the idea and felt his heart sink. Of course they would. They’d be delighted at this confirmation of their worth. Merchants of information as well as goods.

“I believe they would.” But you’ll have to use those mind-reading skills to make sure they’re telling you all they know, he couldn’t help thinking. They might hide information they can reap an income from, or if it might damage their current business.

Rian nodded. “I will arrange to meet them, then. Do you wish to be involved?”

Danjin considered, then shook his head. “My involvement would complicate the arrangement unnecessarily.”

“Very well.” He turned toward the door, then paused. “What do you know of Sennon, Adviser?”

“Sennon?” Danjin shrugged. “I have visited the land several times. Mostly by sea, but I have crossed the desert twice. I speak Sennonian. I have a few contacts there.”

“The Sennon emperor signed a treaty of alliance with the Pentadrians yesterday.”

Once again, Danjin found himself staring at Rian, this time in dismay. He recalled Auraya’s first meeting with the Sennon ambassador. The man had invited her to visit. It had been ridiculous to expect a new White, untrained and not yet familiar with her position, to travel all the way to Sennon. Perhaps one of the other White should have gone. Reminding the emperor that a powerful alliance backed by the gods lay beyond the mountains to the west might have prevented him from signing an alliance with the Pentadrians.

“You think we should have made greater efforts to befriend the Sennon emperor and his people,” Rian said, frowning.

Danjin smiled wryly. “Yes, but what can you do? There are only five of you—only four until recently. You’ve only just allied with Somrey, and now Auraya is working on Si. You didn’t have the time or resources to woo Sennon as well.”

The corner of Rian’s mouth twitched. “No, we didn’t. Control of time is not one of the Gifts the gods have bestowed on us.”