Federza sat in the far corner at a dining table that had been turned into a desk. When I came in, he rose.
I couldn’t work out whether the expression on his face was happiness or annoyance or all of the above. I remembered him the last time I had seen him, when he came into my apartment scared. Was there anything I had missed then? He’d obviously been more scared than he’d let on.
“Delegate Wilson.” He shook my hand, Earth-style. He had travelled there. His grandfather was the legendary Daya Ezmi, the founder of the Barresh Aghyrians.
He gestured at the couch and I sat down. The cushion released a waft of musty air. He sat on the other couch. Thayu and Reida remained near the door while Lilona sat on one of the chairs at the table.
Federza frowned at her. “Is that . . . ?”
“She’s from
