Uncle Imcael is proud as they come. He doesnt like toback down even when hes in the wrong. And you dont want todistress your addawith his incivility.Dylenlooked guiltily at Hirlen. His father smiled and reached for his handto squeeze it reassuringly.Rohyrsaid to Hirlen, If you will excuse us, Tenryon Hadrana is here,and we must confer with him. When Dylen looked at him surprised,he added, I asked him to come. Its time he assessed you.Dylenfrowned. For what? Come with me and find out.** * *Dylencuriously studied the Herun of Ziana as he softly discussed theirjust concluded interview with Rohyr.TenryonHadrana was not only the lord of the wealthiest city-fief in Ylandreand a great friend of the Ardan, he was also the sole Deir in thekingdom openly known to be a templar, one of that secretivebrotherhood of extraordinarily gifted True Bloods. It was he whoidentified prospective templars and initiated them into the rigoroustraining entry into the brotherhood entailed. Indeed, he waspurported to be the chief of all the NorthContinenttemplars.Hewas handsome and well built, but there was a remote quality about himthat could be intimidating to the less stout of heart. Dylen wonderedif there were any who could withstand the Herun when he trained hiscold piercing gaze on them. He looked at Rohyr questioningly when thetwo were done talking.Itsan honor to be of such interest to Hadrana-tyar,he said. But Im still at a loss as to what hes supposed toassess in me. He suddenly thought of something. Surely youdont suspect me of being a templar like him!Rohyrnodded. I did wonder if you were a latent one, he admitted.But Tenryon says theres no way you could have eluded our noticeif that were the case.Yournotice? Dylen was struck by Rohyrs choice of words. Youspeak as if He stared at the Ardan. YouAre youa templar?Rohyrand Tenryon exchanged a glance. Rohyr met and held Dylens startledgaze. I am.Holysaints! Dylen stared at his brother in awe. But it isntknown? I mean, this is the first Ive heard of it.Outsideof the brotherhood, only Eiren knows, Rohyr answered. Becausehes your physician, Dylen guessed.Rohyrsmiled approvingly. Youre very perceptive.Nay,it was the logical conclusion. Dylen frowned. So not evenImcael knows? When Rohyr shook his head, Dylen looked at himwonderingly. Why keep it a secret? Hadrana-tyardoesnt. About what he is, I mean.Tenis the face of our brotherhood; the one known to take and train ouracolytes, Rohyr explained. But secrecy serves my interest best.The knowledge that I possess such power can inspire fear and sowdistrust and can also encourage malcontents to use them to challengemy rule. Imagine what the separatists in Tenerith could do with theknowledge. Theyd claim that I would use my power to reduce thepeople to thralldom.Whichonly goes to show how highly you templars are regarded, Dylensaid. Or suspected, Tenryon wryly remarked.Dylensfrown deepened. Does this mean your power isnt solely derivedfrom the Essendri potential?Sayrather that I have two wellsprings of power, Rohyr clarified. Onefor strength and the other for depth and range.Idont understand.Inaddition to the usual skills possessed by gifted enyra,templars are blessed with abilities exclusive to the brotherhoodalone, Tenryon explained. When properly trained, a templar