I looked over the game pieces. Different sets used different pieces. This set included Khorsal, naturally, and anyone might assume a Joratese stallion would start there. So after a moment’s hesitation, I picked the witch-queen Suless. “He must be related to you. I mean no offense when I say you resemble him. A son? A brother?”

He smiled as he made his selection, giving the matter no thought at all. He picked the god-king Nemesan, always a strong opener with a good offense. “Technically, he’s my grandson.”

“Technically? I would think he’s either related to you or he’s not.”

He laughed with surprise. “I suppose so! Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not ashamed of Teraeth. Just the opposite. In his last life, I favored him a great deal.”

I felt a chill twine its fingers around my spine. “You knew who he was in his last life? How? I thought people lost all memories from prior lives when they’re reborn?” I picked a dragon piece, pausing as I did.

I counted a total of eight dragon pieces. How had I never noticed? I wondered if they had once been named and if one of those names was Aeyan’arric.

“I wasn’t reborn. He was.” He pointed at me. “Just as you, also once part of Teraeth’s life, were reborn.” Seeing the look on my face, he grinned cruelly in a way that ruined all his normal prettiness. “Come now. Haven’t you ever met someone with whom you shared a connection, even though it made no sense, even though you couldn’t understand why? Someone you immediately distrusted or knew would run into a fire for you? Or you for them? It’s not so hard to believe souls from one lifespan seek each other out in the next.” He shrugged. “Or that the Eight might track certain souls from one life to the next.”

I cleared my throat and looked away. I’d felt it with Teraeth, that immediate connection.

I’d also felt it with Relos Var, if not in so positive a manner.

“So what is it Thaena can’t figure out on her own?”

“I need to steal a spear named Khoreval.”

He stared at me like I’d just told him ice was hot. “Why?”

“Thaena thinks the spear is capable of killing Aeyan’arric.” I felt the words come in a rush, almost a confession. “Relos Var has been sending the dragon into Jorat, having her attack towns. And while I know I can’t go after Relos Var directly, I can attack his allies, tear down his supports. Without Aeyan’arric, it will be harder for him to—” I faltered. “Do whatever he’s doing. Thaena says that you can help me.”

“Thaena lied.”

I faltered, knocking a piece over. “What?”

The Manol vané man sighed. “You want me to help you infiltrate Duke Kaen’s palace, yes?”