take him underhis wing. So, as of last year, hes been our esteemed Ardanslegal ward.Ishe now? Riodan delightedly said. My felicitations, Shin.Thank you, Rio.AndI dare say, Rohyr is regretting the impulse, Rysander said with asnicker. A veritable whirlwind Shin is. Hes got energy enoughto outlast any ten of us, and saints above, its a wonder theCitadel is still standing!Shinostarted to stick his tongue out at Rysander, but he caught himself.He settled for giving his cousin a playful poke in the ribs instead.Riodanwas still chuckling a few minutes later when he located Theron. Thesenior Leyhar was chatting with Jareth Hadrana, Ylandrespreeminent envoy and foremost ambassador-at-large. Not long after,Gilmael Calanthe joined them. As head of the most extensiveintelligence network in the North Continent, it was not surprisingfor him to take an interest in what recently returned diplomats hadto report. But he was also Riodans good friend, and he heartilygreeted the younger ambassador.Howdo you like diplomatic work now? Gilmael gibed. I hear it wassheer horror dealing with the Teharan rulers. Mayhap youll changeyour mind and join Intelligence instead. At least, you wont haveto bite your tongue when youre actually aching to give some royaldunce a piece of your mind.Butyou run the risk of having more than your tongue ripped out if youjoin Gils passel of spies, Jareth pointed out. Espionage maygive you a freer hand but only for so long as your true identityremains secret.Hush,Jath, Gilmael protested. Im trying to recruit an agenthere!Jarethsnorted. And take away one of my best and brightest envoys? Inyour dreams, Gil!Grinningwidely, Riodan remarked, I see some things havent changed.He looked around at all the familiar faces. Indeed, it seems likenothing has changed while I was away.Onthe contrary, Gilmael cryptically said. And some bigger thanothers. Changes,Imean.Theronscrunched up his forehead and said, I beg your pardon? At thesame time, Riodan asked, What do you mean?Gilmaelstarted to address the Leyhars bewilderment but suddenly beckonedto someone to approach instead. A tall Deir clad in black and earthgreen emerged from a nearby press of courtiers.Ah,Dy, do join us, Gilmael said. Its as good a time as any foryou to meet the Leyhars.Riodanalmost stopped breathing. Shocked speechless, he thought his heartwould give, so furiously did it beat in the wake of his first sightof Dylen Teris. It was not only the total unexpectedness of findinghis former lover here of all places that spurred his heart into avirtual gallop. There was also his appearance. When last they met,Dylen had been distraught and it had shown in his dress and demeanor.But, even then, his comeliness had been apparent. Now, impeccablyattired for court, his bearing one of courteous aloofness, he wasindescribably beautiful.Thisis Theron Leyhar, our present ambassador to Siryana, Gilmael saidto Dylen. And this is his son, Riodan. Rio is lately arrived fromTehara, his first major posting and a very successful one Im happyto say.Itdid not escape either Leyhar that Gilmael appeared to have committeda breach in protocol by presenting them to Dylen rather than theother way around. Riodan wondered how so seasoned a courtier couldmake such a serious gaffe.Besidehim, Theron was staring at Dylen, an indignant scowl knitting