of Deira could party or unwind after a days toil. Contraryto popular misconception, carnal activity was not a matter of courseamong the hethare,and it was not uncommon for a companion to pass the night withoutcoupling with any of his patrons.Ifdesired, however, those particular needs were met in the elegantbedchambers on the third story of the building. Deira who availed ofthese services were strictly vetted first. Indeed, a guest had to bea regular visitor at the Seralye before Zarael would even considerallowing him to progress to the status of patron. And, more oftenthan not, Zarael gave his hetharethe option to accept or decline requests for sexual service exceptwhen the patron in question was not one he could refuse. The formercompanion was not about to imperil either his establishments goodname or his hethareshealth and general safety by being lax about his rules or standards.Almostas soon as Dylen stepped into the reception room to let Zaraelssecretary Keon know he had arrived, a handsome Deir of middle yearsrose from his seat before the fire. He smiled expectantly. Dylensmiled back.TheDeir was a wealthy financier who came to the Seralye when thepressures of his profession and the tediousness of his matescompany wore him down. Dylen glanced at Keon. A slight shake of thesecretarys head indicated the financier only sought convivialcompany. Of course, that could change in the course of the eveningbut, as he was a well-liked patron, seeing to that need should itarise would be no problem for Dylen.Hewas one of the least sexually available of the Seralyescompanions, preferring to entertain guests in the parlors andtaprooms. But when he did accept a patrons proposition, he madecertain that he pleased the latter so well, a request for anothervisit was inevitable. As he had told Riodan, he took on guests atZaraels behest who were not of his choosing, but these instanceswere few and far in between, and Dylen had no qualms about beddingthem, particularly if their patronage proved beneficial in the longrun.Afterbidding Keon to have more substantial refreshments sent up, Dylenwarmly greeted the Deir and ushered him to one of the parlors. If thevisit remained purely social, he would be available to entertainanother guest in an hour or so.** * *Dylenstepped out of the communal bath into the large dressing room,toweling himself briskly. It was a little past midnight, and he hadentertained his last guest of the day, a theinof ancient lineage. The baron had also been the only one of his fourpatrons to ask for sexual service. Dylen idly wondered if the Deirsconsort was aware of the formers proclivity for playing the mare.Then again, if he knew which hetharhis lord-spouse frequented, it was likely he did. Many of Dylensbed partners sought him out because they desired domination at hishands.Ashe dressed, another companion, Veanthe by name, sauntered in. He wasa favorite taproom host due to his raconteurs eloquence andknowledge of the bawdiest songs this side of the Samaran Sea. He wasalso Dylens senior by some sixteen years and a veteran of theirclub.Afterthey greeted each other, Dylen thought to ask, Do you know aughtabout an ambassador by the name of Theron