Juran smiled. “I look forward to hearing any suggestions you have, Auraya.” She smiled back, but he had already turned away. “Rian. What of Dunway?”

Rian smiled faintly. “The alliance is holding firm. I have nothing to report.”

“And Sennon?”

“The emperor is still considering our proposal. I don’t believe he is any closer to a decision than he was five years ago.”

“That’s no surprise,” Dyara said, chuckling. “Nothing in Sennon ever happens quickly.”

Rian nodded. “Sennon was always going to be more difficult to court than Somrey. How much value can we place in an alliance with a country that cannot decide who or what to worship?”

Juran nodded in agreement. “I still feel it is best left to last. Perhaps, in the end, Sennon will fall into line when all the rest of Northern Ithania is united.” He straightened and smiled. “That leaves us with two more nations to discuss.”

Auraya noted that Mairae’s gaze had brightened, while Dyara’s lips had compressed into a skeptical smile.

“Si and Borra.” Juran linked the fingers of his hands together. “Several months ago I sent a courier to each country to deliver invitations for an alliance.”

Auraya felt a twinge of excitement. Stories of the winged people of the southern mountains and the water-breathing sea folk had always fascinated her. As she had grown older they had seemed too fantastic to be true, but both Priest Avorim and Leiard had assured her that such peoples did exist, though their description was often exaggerated.

“I’ll be impressed if any of those messengers arrive,” Dyara muttered darkly. Auraya looked at her in surprise. “Not that I think they’ll murder them,” she assured Auraya. “But the homes of the Siyee and Elai are not easy to reach, and they are suspicious and shy of ordinary humans.”

“I have chosen my couriers carefully,” Juran said. “Both have visited or traded with these peoples previously.”

At that, Dyara looked impressed. Juran smiled, then placed both hands on the table. His expression became serious.

“We have not yet considered the three lands of Southern Ithania: Mur, Avven and Dekkar.”

“The lands of the Pentadrian cult?” Rian asked, his expression disapproving.

“Yes.” Juran grimaced. “Their way of life and ethics may be incompatible with ours. The gods want all Northern Ithania united, not all Ithania. However, once Northern Ithania is united, the southern lands will be our neighbors. I have had our advisers gather information about these lands. Maps, drawings and reports of their beliefs and rituals.”

“Are there any descriptions of orgies?” Mairae asked.

“Mairae!” Dyara said reproachfully.

Juran’s lips had twitched into a smile at the question. “You’ll be disappointed to hear that the rumors of orgies are exaggerated. They have fertility rites, but only for married couples. Two does not make an orgy.”

Mairae shrugged. “At least I know I’m not missing out,” she murmured. Rian’s eyes rolled.