appeared mounted on zentyra, the fleet and powerfulYlandrin war steeds whose silken manes, whimsically dappled flanksand elegant gaits belied their inherent ferocity and the lethalnature of their sharp cloven hooves and the single short horn thatprotruded from their brows. They were not found anywhere else inAisen and it was forbidden to use them for leisure or labor or tobring them out of the country without royal permission.Whenthe last rider emerged, the portal shimmered then faded away. Thedelegation regrouped and began to traverse the plain toward the town.Letsgo down! Yuilan urged. I want to see Abawelcome them. Hurry, brothers, hurry!Thethree descended and raced to the town hall. Lassen glanced back asthe first of the visitors passed under the wide arch of the maingate. His heart beating wildly, he followed his brothers who madetheir way to Mithre. As mate to Dael Idana, Tal Ereqs First Elder,Mithre stood at the forefront of the Elders families gathered onone side of the hall courtyard. Other prominent townsfolk filled theremaining space. The rest made do with lining the street outside.Takinghis place beside Fileg, Lassen watched the Rikaran party enter thecourtyard. There were eleven riders, six of whom formed an armedescort. Once they were all within, they reined in their steeds anddismounted.Mithrehad visited the capital several times and seen many of its rankingcitizens in the course of business. He identified the delegates asthey let down their hoods.Thatis Keosqe Deilen, Minister of Internal Affairs, Mithre murmuredupon sight of cool amethyst eyes and pale gold hair. He added thatthe enyranlord was cousin to the king.Ah,the Chief Counsellor, Yovan Seydon, he said, nodding in thedirection of an aristocratic Deir of middle years. His son willsome day inherit a great fortune. The counsellor wed into one of thewealthiest families in the land.Isnthe also kin to the Ardan? Lassen ascertained.Youvebeen paying attention to your teachers, Mithre said approvingly.Yes, he is. Indeed, nearly all his inner circle are related to himby blood or law. They intermarry a lot, these high-born True Bloods.Youdont approve? Yuilan asked.Tisnot our custom to bind with over close kin, Mithre admitted with ashrug. But the nobles hew closely to the traditions of ourancestors who wed their own brethren to keep their bloodlines pure.He turned his attention once more to the delegates. There, that isGilmael Calanthe, another of the Ardans cousins. Tis said thathe heads the most efficient intelligence network in the NorthContinent. And he is a twin. He and his brother are so alike, tisnigh impossible to tell them apart.Hissons studied the dark-haired, blue-eyed noble, trying to picture twoof him standing side by side. Gilmael spoke briefly with one of theparty, a somewhat elderly Deir whose handsome features were marred bywhat appeared to be a perpetual scowl.Whois that sour-faced fellow? Fileg questioned, wrinkling his nose indistaste. Hush, Mithre muttered. Hes the Ardans uncleof Qimaras, Imcael Essendri. Iwouldntcross him for hes said to nurse his grudges. Hes haughty aswell and putsmuchstock in bloodlines and titles. Not a pleasant person by anystandard. But here now, who is that? He eyed the one visitor whohad yet to uncover his face. Look how he regards