“With gritted teeth.” Dyara smiled. “It’s hardly their fault that Berro hasn’t produced a male. So far there have been remarkably few retaliatory moves. Every family with a boy is anxious to avoid offending the gods. Evidence, perhaps, that they have realized that Guire chose Laern as his successor because he was the only prince who hadn’t tried to murder another. But someone is making sure Berro hears promptly of the birth of every Arrin male.”

“Sounds like that someone ought to be found,” Juran said.

“Yes. The royal high priest is also encouraging Berro to adopt an heir, even if it is a temporary arrangement until he sires one. That might settle him down for now.”

Juran nodded, then turned to Mairae. “What of the Somreyans?”

Mairae grimaced. “They turned us down again.”

He frowned. “What was their reason this time?”

“A minor detail of the alliance terms. One member of the council protested against it, and others supported her.”

“It’s a wonder their country doesn’t fall apart,” Dyara said darkly. “Their council never agrees on anything. What was it this time?”

“The restriction that their Dreamweavers must only treat their own soldiers.”

“And this council member who protested is the Dreamweaver representative?”

Mairae nodded. “Yes. Dreamweaver Elder Arleej.” Auraya knew that this Dreamweaver elder was not only a member of the Council of Elders in Somrey, but the leader of the Dreamweavers. “I was surprised that others supported her. It is a minor point, and most of the council are keen to see this alliance signed. Keen enough to overlook something like this.”

“We knew Somrey would be difficult,” Rian said. “We can’t please every member of the council. Doing so would mean making too many compromises. I say we stand firm on this.”

Juran frowned and shook his head. “I don’t understand. We haven’t asked them to change any of their ways. Why can’t they do the same for us?”

The others shrugged or spread their hands helplessly. Juran looked at each, then his gaze settled on Auraya and his expression became thoughtful.

“You knew a Dreamweaver during your early years, didn’t you, Auraya?”

His question was not accusatory, or even disapproving. She nodded slowly, aware that Dyara was watching her closely.

“You probably have a better understanding of their ways than the rest of us. Can you explain why they’re resisting this term of the alliance?”

Auraya glanced around the table, then straightened.

“All Dreamweavers make an oath to heal any person who needs and wants it.”

Juran’s eyebrows rose. “So this term of the alliance requires Dreamweavers to break their oath. The council doesn’t want to force them, so they refuse to sign the treaty.” He looked at Dyara. “Does Auraya have time to read the proposed treaty?”

Dyara’s shoulders lifted. “I can make time for it in her schedule.”