pain, Dy.Oh,Veres... was all Dylen could say. He pulled Riodans hand to hislips and reverently kissed the knuckles. Riodans smile turned evenmore luminous before he slid into exhausted slumber.Dylenbent and dropped a kiss on Riodans cheek. Then, after getting thereassurance of the physician on duty all over again, he left the roomand went to keep his appointment with Laral Halvan.** * *Hemet Laral in the sitting room of the latters apartment. The princewas almost recovered from his injury. The only indication of it wasthe occasional wince when a sudden movement pulled at the wound.Laralordered everyone out of the apartment and took it upon himself topour Dylen some wine and serve him salty roasted nuts and crispcracklings dipped in spiced vinegar, a snack of which the Asmaranswere inordinately fond.Ihear Leyhar-tyaris mending well, Laral said as he sipped his wine.Heis mending but not without suffering for it, Dylen replied alittle bitterly. Yes, thats to be expected. Laral shook hishead. He highly esteems you to haveexposedhimself to such peril.Dylenlooked away, eyes suddenly veiled. Laral sighed.Andyou feel the same way though you deny it to yourself. Ah well, thatis none of my business, as you undoubtedly would say. He helpedhimself to a handful of nuts. Still, I do hope you resolvewhatever it is that divides you. You work so well together, and itwould be a pity were such an enviable partnership be riven by pastgrievances.Aftera moment, Dylen returned his gaze to Laral. It will be resolved,he said. Laral smiled faintly. Good. Now, on to more urgentmatters. Larals mouthtightened.Malkon.Dylensat up, immediately alert.Talvaspeople caught him outside the pavilion, Laral told him. Did hethrow the explosive?Therewas no one else around.Thenhe must have arranged for the ambush as well.Probably.Though it must have been an impulse on his part. Set off most likelyby our confrontation earlier that day.Aboutthat Dylen regarded the prince wonderingly. What did youconfront him about, Dyhar?Laralrefilled their cups. It seems your ambassador succeeded inconvincing Dimas to do his duty, he said. Dimas admitted theextent of his gaming debts in his letter to me as well as hisinability to repay them. He named Malkon as his creditor.Dylencaught his breath. Did he mention what Malkon had demanded of himin lieu of coin?Laralshook his head. Unfortunately, he only said Malkon had threatenedhis family with harm, his children in particular, if Dimas did not doas he bid.Andthats what you argued about?Yes.Its one thing to threaten someone with exposure or debtorsprison in order to force him to pay what he owes. That is but rightand lawful. But to endanger the lives of his family Laralseyes narrowed in anger. That is beyond the pale. None of Dimaschildren have reached their majority yet. I know what yourethinkingthat he demanded Dimas reject as many of those contractapprovals as possible. Well, I have had my suspicions as well. ButDimas didnt outright say what it was Malkon had asked in repaymentand so I can hardly accuse him of that.Buthe tried to have you killed, Dylen pointed out. You believethat he did even if he hasnt confessed to it.Yesand yes, Laral agreed. And that is telling. Methinks he fearedI