hot and cold water taps. And thechamber was located on the houses second story rather than thetraditional ground floor as evidenced by a glimpse of two bedroomsthrough the connecting doors. Such amenities were costly andgenerally accessible only to the affluent.CanI come out now? Riodan asked. I feel warm enough.Dylengrabbed the thick robe Tarqin had prepared. Helping Riodan to hisfeet, he guided him out of the tub and into the folds of the robe.Thankyou again, Riodan murmured.Hirlenshook his head. Theres no need to thank us for something anydecent soul would do. Come, have some hot soup. It will warm youfurther.** * *Heisnt just well-born, Hirlen murmured.Helooked once more at the cloak clasp Dylen thoughtfully fingered. Withits engraving of a beaked delphinid in mid leap over waves of water,the clasp identified their guest as a member of the diplomatic corpsor, judging from his age and the lack of the official insignia of anYlandrin ambassador on the clasp, possibly the son of one. Above thedelphinid, a name was engraved in the ancient alphabet of the Deirasdistant ancestors, the Naere. But neither Dylen nor his father knewhow to read the runic symbols and could not decipher their guestsname.Iwager hes being groomed to succeed a parent, Dylen remarked.Yes. Which makes his presence here all the more puzzling.Theyceased their hushed conversation when Riodan stepped out of Dylensbedroom clad in one of Dylens flannel shirts and loosebed-trousers. The Deir shyly smiled at them when they beckoned to himto join them before the fireplace. Dylen reappraised him now thatRiodans coloring was back to normal and his hair neatly brushed.ByVeres, hes quite beautiful,he mused.Hirlensank into his great chair while Dylen and Riodan settled side by sideon the couch. They had all slept in late to make up for staying upnigh until daybreak. Now it was almost noon and the aroma of the foodTarqin was cooking for the midday meal wafted faintly fromdownstairs.Sleepwell? Dylen asked.Yes,Riodan replied. Thank you for lending me your bed. I didntexpect such kindness.Dylensimply shrugged.Doyour parents know you ventured out last night? Hirlen inquired. Ican send word to them that youre safe.Riodanreddened slightly. His mouth tightened. Theyre the reason I wasout in the cold, he quietly explained. We quarreled, and Idecided to leave rather than be forced into something I didnt carefor. He hesitated then said, They tried to betroth me to a DeirI heartily detest.Heleaned back with a hint of defiance in his face, obviously expectingeither of his companions to chide him for acting with foolhardyimpulsiveness. After all, it was not unusual for the upper classes toarrange their childrens marriages.Whydo you detest him? Dylen asked.Riodanlooked at him in some surprise. Because hes a cold andavaricious bastard who has no compunction about destroying the livesof others to get what he wants, he replied with blunt honesty.Hesnot alone in that, Dylen pointed out. Especially amongst yourclass. Riodan bristled slightly at the mildly critical allusion tohis social station. But Iwouldhave to live out my life bearing witness to his cruelty, hecountered. Bad enough to know that such Deira exist. But to marryone of them?Surelyhe isnt that terrible if your parents chose