a taskmaster sometimes, he disclosed. And Veres knowshow willing he is to put himself at risk for dutys sake and thathe expects the same of his people. But hes no harebraineddaredevil either and hes fair almost to a fault.Andthe pay is very good, Rohyr added.Ishould think so considering the working conditions, Dylen drylysaid, a touch of his humor returning. But do I qualify for theposition?Iwouldnt have offered it if you didnt, Rohyr assured him.Your training as a companion is very similar to what any Deir inIntelligence undergoes, especially withregardsto ferreting out information and discerning hidden motives. And Iwarrant youve got more experience in either area than many ofGilmaels younger agents. Youll be an asset to his Ministry andto the Crown. And eventually, when the dust has settled around yourarrival, Ill turn AddaDyraels properties over to you. He chuckled when Dylen staredat him incredulously. Youre legally entitled to them as hiseldest born. And he had land all over the country though he favoredhis coastal estates most. I dare say your fathers health willvastly improve from the sea breezes of Glanthar and western Vireshe.Ittook Dylen quite a while to recover from the shock of discovering theextent of his inheritance. But when he did, for the first time, hesmiled brightly and without restraint. Even Rohyr was not immune tothe charm of his smile. The Ardan grinned back broadly.Verywell, I accept your offer, Dyhar,Dylen said. And youll just have to give me time to adjust tothe idea of calling my sovereign by name, he added when Rohyrstarted to protest.Yousound like Lassen did when he first came to me, Rohyr grumbledgood-naturedly with a fond glance at his leman.Dylenfollowed his glance. Hes exquisite. And so kind, too. Yourevery fortunate to have found him. I hope youll always treat himwell. He hastily covered his mouth with a hand to conceal a hugeyawn. Lassitude was fast overtaking him now that the immediacy ofcrisis was past. Forgive me, he mumbled. The both of you maynot need rest but I do!Withthat, he sat down again and slumped on the couch. He was asleepbefore either king or physician could respond.ChapterThirteenKinshipHelooks quite hale, doesnt he? Lassen murmured as he and Dylenwatched Tarqin take Hirlen for a turn in the royal gardens. Rohyr hadgone back ahead into the keep after their morning walk.Dylennodded. Save for his confinement to a wheeled chair, Hirlen lookedalmost as he had before his illness. He had regained his normalweight, and his color was good. He had also not lost the use of hisupper body as previously feared. His caregivers had seen to that,assiduously carrying out the program of exercises that went with theaggressive medication Eiren had prescribed for the elder Teris.Deirakindly greeted him, responding to the former hetharswarmth and infectious amicability. None treated him with scorn orsnide amusement much to Dylens continued relief.Itwas that prospect that had most worried him when Rohyr insisted thatthey reside in the Citadel. Not so much for himself as for his frailadda.Well, it turned out there was little to fear for Hirlen. Dylen,however, was another story.Surprisewas great to put it mildly when Rohyr brought them