The Ambassador's Mission: Book One of th - By Trudi Canavan Page 0,140
expect to see no men at all.
A hundred or so paces from the waiting group, Tyvara stopped. She turned to look at Lorkin, frowning as she considered something.
“I can speak for you, if you want,” Chari offered.
Tyvara scowled at her. “I can speak for myself,” she snapped. “Stay here.” Turning on her heel, she stalked toward her people, leaving Chari and Lorkin to exchange a look of bemusement.
“Have you two fallen out over something?” he asked.
Chari shook her head and smiled. “No. Why do you ask?”
“She hasn’t behaved as if the two of you are friends.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that.” Chari chuckled and turned to look at the group. “She’s just jealous. And she doesn’t know it.”
“Jealous of what?”
Chari gave him a lofty look. “You really don’t know? I’ve always wondered how it was that men in the rest of the world are in charge, when they’re so perpetually thick.”
He snorted softly. “And I’m curious to know how Traitor women stay in charge when they’re just as inclined to communicate by indirect hints and innuendo as women everywhere else.”
She laughed. “Oh, I like you, Lorkin. If Tyvara doesn’t wake up to herself and—” A voice called out and she immediately grew serious. She gave him a crooked smile. “Looks like it’s time to introduce you.”
He followed her across the remaining distance to the waiting Traitors. Tyvara watched them, her brow creased with a worried frown. Chari did not look at her friend, but fixed her attention on a middle-aged woman with grey streaks in her long hair.
“Speaker Savara,” she said respectfully. She gestured gracefully toward Lorkin. “Lorkin, assistant to Guild Ambassador Dannyl, of the land of Kyralia.”
The woman nodded. “Lord Lorkin,” she said. “If I am correct.”
“You are, indeed,” he replied, inclining his head. “An honour to meet you, Speaker Savara.”
Savara smiled. “It is polite of you to say so, after all you have been through.” She drew in a deep breath. “First, I wish to convey from the queen, but also heartfelt from myself, an apology for the disruption, fear and threat to your life that you have endured due to the Traitors. Whether Tyvara’s actions are deemed justifiable or not, you have been put through a great deal and for that we feel responsible.”
It did not seem like a good moment to be defending Tyvara, so he nodded. “Thank you.”
“If you wish to rejoin the Guild Ambassador, we can have you safely delivered into his protection. I can also arrange for guides to take you back to the Kyralian border. Which would you prefer?”
“Again, thank you,” Lorkin replied. “I am aware that there will be a trial to judge Tyvara’s actions and I would like to speak in her defence, if that is possible.”
Savara’s eyebrows rose, and a murmur of surprise and interest went through the rest of the gathering.
“That would mean taking him to Sanctuary,” someone said.
“The queen would never agree to it.”
“Unless we hold the trial outside Sanctuary.”
“No, that would be too dangerous. If there was an ambush we’d lose too many valuable people.”
“Nobody is going to ambush us,” Savara said firmly.
She looked back at her people and they fell silent. Turning back to Lorkin, she considered him thoughtfully. “It is an admirable thing you wish to do. I will think on it. How much does the Guild know about us?”
Lorkin shook his head. “Nothing. Well, they’ve heard nothing from me, anyway. I haven’t communicated with anyone there.”
“And what of the Guild magician here?” He has been following you since you left Arvice. With surprising accuracy.”
“I haven’t communicated with Dannyl either,” Lorkin told her firmly. “But I’m not surprised he is searching successfully. He is clever and unlikely to give up.” He paused as he realised the truth of his words. Was Dannyl smart and determined enough to follow him all the way to Sanctuary?
“He’s had plenty of help from Traitors, no doubt,” Tyvara muttered.
Savara looked at her. “You have explained the likely price for entering the city?”
Tyvara paused, then looked down. “No. I was hoping we’d find a way around that.”
The Speaker frowned, then sighed and nodded. “I’ll see what I can do. Rest and eat.”
With that, the group scattered, some moving into the huts, some sitting on rough, narrow wooden benches that Lorkin had assumed were a crude fence. He, Chari and Tyvara moved to one of the seats and shrugged out of their packs. A young woman dressed as a slave brought them small cakes laced with tart berries. She smiled when he