“My great-great-great-grandfather helped build this council house,” Lord Aden said fondly, patting the wall like he was stroking a pet. “See these faint markings over here? You can barely see them now. They’re Gorvekan. They helped us build it, said these were protection symbols. They don’t usually put them up in the places they help build, mind—they’re part of some rituals they’re committed to, and they don’t let outsiders see their symbols too often—but my many-great-grandpa did the impossible and got ’em drunk, so they got a bit careless. Friendly people, helped us fight against the nanghait back when there weren’t Dark asha around to contain them. Did you know they got more runebinders than even Arhen-Kosho if you take population size into account? Not something they tell you in the history books.”

I stared hard at the design he’d indicated. It looked familiar, but my mind was thoroughly greased by the alcohol and its significance kept sliding away from me. “It’s very pretty, Lord Aden.”

“Grew up in Thanh, I did. Knox and Balfour are Steerfall natives, and Besserly’s a Chittengrin, if you can believe it. Not as stuffed up as the rest of them over there, gods be good. Thanh’s a good place, but starved of asha.”

Likh laughed. “And now it has two! Perhaps a celebration? Should we dance, Tea?” He tottered.

“Not today, Likh. But we are quite open to more drinking.”

Lord Aden guffawed. “Then more drinking it is!”

Khalad found us deep in our cups, giggling over some inanities that I no longer recall. The Heartforger didn’t look pleased, barely paying attention to the men’s respectful bows—the ones who didn’t lose their balance, anyway. “Might I have a talk with Lady Likh?” he asked frostily.

Likh peered up at him from through his long eyelashes, blinking owlishly. “I’m not sure I want to talk to you,” he said calmly, despite his lack of sobriety. “I much rather prefer the company of these men, if you please.”

“Is this your girl, Lord Khalad?” Knox raised his hands. “We were only accompanying these lovely ladies, milord. We meant no harm—”

“I want to talk to you now, Likh.” Khalad’s tone allowed no room for discussion. The Heartforger was rarely this angry, and it startled Likh back into some sobriety. He waved cheerfully at us before marching off so he and Khalad could talk in private.

“I didn’t know Lord Khalad was interested in the Lady Likh,” Aden slurred. “They make a cute couple.”

“Kalen and I make a cute couple too.” The words tumbled out without filter, and I remembered the surge of pride at finally being able to say so out loud, here in this place, where it was easier to spill secrets to a roomful of strangers than family and friends.