grabbed a metal pitcher from atop anearby table and flung it with all his might at the gong. Theresulting clang was deafening and discordant, startling the othercombatants into brief immobility. Riodan barged past his distractedadversaries and reached the gong. He managed to strike it a secondtime before he was forced to engage the enemy once more.Hiseffort was not in vain. In a matter of minutes, a commotion outsideheralded the arrival of more palace guards. Talvas burst into thepavilion, his warriors right behind him. For a moment, they stared insome confusion at the sight of the Ylandrin kings brother and theYlandrin ambassador defending their crown prince from Ylandrinsoldiers. Then Dylen ran his opponent through, and all confusionevaporated. Talvas led his people into the fray.Withthe arrival of reinforcements, the tide swiftly turned. The ambushturned into a rout for its initiators save that there was nodisorderly retreat for them. The would-be assassins fought tooth andnail to escape or die in the trying. Talvas obliged them and led hispeople in their slaughter. By the time the fighting ended, only oneassassin remained to tell the tale of his peoples defeat. He wassubdued and taken aside to await questioning.*Beforetoo long, the royal physician arrived with his assistants. Dylenhelped Laral to one of the benches and made him sit down. He summonedthe physician and waited while the Deir examined and then bound theprinces wound.Yourtardiness saved the day, Laral told him with a pinched smile whenthe physician was done. Had you arrived on time, you would havebeen caught in the ambush.Yetit astounds me that they didnt realize you were waiting forothers. It was quite obvious that you had guests. Dylen gesturedtoward the dining table and the shambles of what had been placesettings for three Deira.Laralgingerly shifted his position to a more comfortable one. Letsjust be grateful for their limited powers of observation.Dylennodded then looked about the pavilion for Riodan. He saw him severalpaces away helping check for survivors from the first attack. Judgingfrom his expression, there were not that many, especially among thedefenseless servants. His mouth tightening in anger, Dylen did notwait for permission from Laral but stalked up to the sole prisonerand grabbed him by the collar. He slammed the Deir against one of thewrought iron posts from which lanterns hung.Yourenot Ylandrin, he growled. Speak! Who do you serve, dog?TheDeir struggled at first, clawing at the hand at his throat. But,after several seconds, he began to breathe harshly. His eyes bulgedwith terror, and a ragged whimper soon escalated into a strangledwail.Getout of my head! he shrieked. Ah, save me!Whosent you? Dylens voice, low but commanding, overrode theprisoners cries. Who is your master? Tell me or I swear by allthe saints, Ill leave you a gibbering wreck!TheDeir closed his eyes in an apparent attempt to fight Dylensincursion into his thoughts. But there was no ejecting Dylenspresence from his mind, and after an agonizing while in which hewheezed and wept, the Deir broke down.Slumpingagainst the post, he blubbered, His M-Majesty... J-JubalFerrenda.*Hearingthe Deirs confession, Riodan felt a surge of elation at this firstsolid evidence of Ferrenda treachery. He started to walk toward