the shell. It was smooth and warm and firmto the touch but not inflexible.Afortnight, give or take, Eiren replied. Hell grow rapidly,to about three times his birth size. And hell be ravenous forestraonce the shell comes off.ShallI produce enough? I dont see why not.Lassenmanaged a tired smile. He looked up at Rohyr. He takes after you.Rohyr smiled back. In coloring. But he has also inherited some ofyour features.Heglanced down at his son then gazed at Lassen. Hell bebeautiful. Lassen chuckled. I dare say youre biased.Aslassitude overcame him, he closed his eyes, sore and weary butcontent to the core.** * *Heslept through what was left of the morning and missed the middaymeal. Not that he would have had much of an appetite. Indeed, hebarely managed the small bowl of broth Mithre fed him that eveningand only nibbled the toast that came with it. But he did not feelweak and his immediate post-birth fatigue was largely alleviated byhis lengthy slumber. The birthing seam was already closed thoughstill red and raw. It would eventually fade to near invisibility overtime.Heheld his son for the first time, grinning when the infant gurgled andcooed as he ran a fingertip along its tiny chin. It was hard tobelieve that in two weeks time, this same child would grow big enoughto cradle in his arms and strong enough to let the whole world knowwhen he was hungry, thirsty or in need of a nappy change.Helooked up as Rohyr came to sit at his side and folded a protectivearm around him. Lassen half reclined against him.Whatshall we name him? Lassen whispered as he gazed adoringly at thechild. Rohyr smiled. Your choice.Lassenfrowned. But hes your heir, he protested. Shouldnt yougive him a name of your House?Andyoure not now a part of my House? Its your privilege, Las, ashis adda.Lassens frown gave way to a radiant smile. Then I should liketo name him aftermyOpaVyren, he decided.VyrenEssendri, Rohyr repeated. A name befitting a future Ardan. Youmust have loved him very much.Lassennodded. He was a most wonderful grandsire. So very kind and gentleand forbearing yet strong and fiercely protective of his loved ones.Washe beauteous as well? Rohyr asked. At Lassens nod, he smirked.You took after him the most of his grandchildren.Lassenblushed at the tacit compliment but happily rested his head againstRohyrs shoulder. They lapsed into comfortable silence and simplyindulged themselves in quiet joy, fondly regarding their slumberingson. But all too soon, Lassen sensed the melancholic underpinnings ofRohyrs mood. He wondered what had managed to cast a shadow overhis mates contentment.Whattroubles you? he murmured. When Rohyr shook his head, Lassenpersisted. Unburden yourself, ariad.Tell me.Rohyrreluctantly recounted his cousins report. By the time he finished,he was deeply upset and angry all over again with himself. Lassensoothed him.Noone can blame you for trusting him. Surely such a betrayal is so rareas to be almost unheard of in the Royal House.Itwas a sons treason that made the Ferrenda Interregnum possible,Rohyr wryly pointed out.Andtwas the one and only time in Ylandres history that animmediate member of the Royal House acted thusly, Lassencountered.Yetnow, here is a second try at treachery, Rohyr bitterly