Free Treachery's Tools by L. E. Modesitt Jr.

public.”
    â€œAt least I’ve succeeded in publicly overcoming that fault.”
    â€œYou also do well with Lystara.”
    â€œEven she is more reasonable than Cransyr or Hulet.” He grinned. “But then, she is your daughter.”
    â€œMy father would have disagreed with you about my reasonableness. What else happened?”
    â€œI just received word of Zhelan’s death.”
    â€œYou did? He wasn’t that old, as I recall.”
    â€œI never knew his exact age, but he wasn’t eighty yet. That poses another problem. Perhaps two. There aren’t any Maitres D’Esprit remaining at Westisle.”
    â€œThere never have been many. You aren’t thinking of sending me?” The mischievous smile played across her lips.
    â€œVoltyrn and Choran deserve something like that … Voltyrn especially, but no, I’m not. You know I’d never let go of you … and that’s what you wanted to hear.” He put his arms around her.
    â€œA woman likes to be appreciated.” After holding him for several moments, she eased out of his arms. “Go on. You still have that look on your face.”
    â€œVoltyrn’s been angling to be maitre there. I’ve mentioned it before.”
    â€œThat bothers you.”
    â€œIt does. He was close to Zhelan, and you know how I felt about Zhelan’s views on training. Ancient quarrels, all because of tradition.” Alastar snorted.
    â€œThere’s also the fact that anyone who needs to push himself forward might not be the best person for the position if everything were to be considered.”
    â€œVery possibly. I’m going to have to think about it.”
    â€œThere’s more, I think. Bettaur?”
    â€œYou thought about that, too?”
    â€œHow could I not? It’s a rather odd coincidence that he asked to be sent there the day before you receive word of Zhelan’s death.”
    â€œIt definitely is, but it just might be coincidence. Bettaur’s far too smart to set up something that would look that obvious. Even if somehow he knew of Zhelan’s death, and there’s a real question of how he could even find that out before I did, he would know that making such a request so soon would raise far too many questions. He’d know that it would be far better to ask after whatever decision I make on the Westisle Maitre. If I pick someone from here, he could then volunteer to accompany them.”
    Alyna nodded. “You’re right about that. But it is odd. What else?”
    â€œI was at the factorage this afternoon, observing the younger seconds imaging buttons. Linzya was supervising them. Then I saw Charlina, and she informed me that someone’s been using a concealment to observe students in the factorage. It wasn’t me or Akoryt or you…”
    Alyna said, “That’s worrisome. Do you have any idea who it might be?” She paused. “If you don’t know who it is, how do you know it was happening?”
    Alastar told her.
    When he finished, Alyna said, “Do you think Charlina can actually do that?”
    â€œI think so, but I’ve asked Akoryt to look into it and see if she can sense him.”
    Alyna nodded. “Good.”
    â€œYou have news of your own, don’t you?”
    â€œI just received a letter from Zaeryl.” Alyna’s lips turned up slightly at the corners, although her voice was normal enough.
    â€œYou occasionally do. This one must be different. What is on your brother’s mind? Or is something wrong?”
    â€œHe’s going to pay us a visit.” Her noncommittal expression turned into an amused and wry smile. “You should read the letter yourself.” She slipped the folded sheet from her light gray summer jacket and handed it to him.
    Alastar took it and began to read.
    Dear Alyna,
    I’ve been remiss in writing. For that, I do apologize. The reason for that lack of sibling