Free Korval's Game by Steve Miller, Sharon Lee

to continue! Erob is Korval’s most ancient ally. The family diaries speak of Rool Tiazan and his lifemate, leaders of the dramliz, who chose to evacuate the Old World on the ship piloted by Cantra yos’Phelium.”
    Priscilla allowed a wisp of inquiry to escape her and Shan nodded.
    “Rool Tiazan had read the luck, you see—and the luck sent him to Cantra yos’Phelium.”
    “Rool Tiazan was a full wizard, then,” Priscilla murmured. “He had the Sight.”
    “Apparently so, since Quick Passage and her passengers eventually came safe to Liad.”
    “And all that time since the ship came to Liad, Korval and Erob have been allies?”
    “Actually a bit longer than that,” Shan said. “Cantra’s log indicates that she and Jela—her partner before she took on the revered yos’Galan ancestor—had known Rool Tiazan and his lady some time prior to the evacuation. If it comes to that—recall that I promised to amaze, Priscilla!—we’re a bit more than allies. More accurate to say cousins—or half-clan, there’s a word! Ever since the ship landed on Liad, Tiazan and Korval have been sticking to an arrangement—actually a protocol, all properly signed and sealed—a schedule of a contract-marriage every three generations, with the child going, in unfailing sequence: Erob, Korval, Erob, Korval . . .”
    Priscilla frowned. “You said Tiazan and Korval—”
    “So I did, and so it was. Korval seems to have sent equally from yos’Phelium and yos’Galan, but Erob seems only to have sent from Tiazan, never from the subordinate Line. In any wise, the schedule demanded a contract wedding this generation. yos’Galan was sent last time, and the child came to Korval.”
    “And Val Con knew all this?” Priscilla demanded.
    Shan shrugged and reached for his glass. “Now that’s a different question. Unless he’s knocked his head rather sharply, he certainly recalls our long association with Erob. That a mating was mandated and that yos’Phelium must send—I doubt he did know that. I only know it because when I was First Speaker in Trust, I received a note from Great-great-great Aunt Wayr yos’Phelium, dated one hundred ten Standard years ago.” He sighed. “I sent it forward a little time more, to Val Con’s thirty-fifth Name Day: a puzzle for him to solve on the day he becomes delm.”
    “But Miri Robertson is Line Tiazan, and she and Val Con are lifemates . . .”
    Shan nodded. “The child of a contract-marriage would have gone to Erob. But the children of a lifemating will come to the clan sheltering both partners.”
    “And Val Con will not leave Korval for another clan.” She made it a half-question, and Shan answered with unwarranted soberness.
    “Val Con is Korval Himself—the one who will be delm. He can’t leave. There’s no clan in the Book who would have him.” He sighed. “Korval has this certain—reputation. Even among our allies.” He stared into the dregs of his glass, then all at once seemed to shake himself and looked over to her with a wry smile.
    “It’s been a long day, Priscilla. Will you join me for a nap?”
    “Certainly.” She came gracefully to her feet, despite the weariness that grated behind her eyes and pulled at her back. “Ken Rik has shift-authority and will call if there’s a problem.”
    “Wonderful,” Shan muttered, stepping aside to let her procede him into their private quarters. “I always wanted to be captain of a military vessel, Priscilla. Remind me to give my brother a very sound shaking, when we finally catch up with him.”
    “Yes, dear,” she said placidly and turned to give him a hug.

LYTAXIN:
Erob’s Clanhouse

    Val Con struck the last note, held it and looked over to Alys Tiazan, standing alert by the audio unit. He nodded and she pressed a key, ending the recording. Val Con lifted his hands from the keyboard and smiled.
    “I thank you, Miss Alys. Your assistance was invaluable.”
    “You are kind to say it,” she responded, very properly