that this can onlybetter my performance as a whole.Wincingat the reference to what would be required of Lassen, Dael voicedanother concern. Lassen is too young to imbibe mirash,he said, feeling quite ill at publicly discussing his sons currentlevel of reproductive maturity. Should he conceive... YourMajesty, twould imperil him to breed before his time.Norshould he! Imcael exclaimed. No other may precede your lawfulheir, Rohyr. None should conceive your child until you have begottenone on your legal consort!Rohyrfrowned. You need not get into a pother over this, Uncle. You knowfull wellthatthere are other means by which conception can be prevented. Heturned his attention back to Dael. However, Lord Imcael iscorrect. Even when he reaches breeding age, Lassen must not get withchild before I have sired one in wedlock. And in the event of amishap occurring, I will want to be certain that the babe is indeedmine.Daelcaught his breath. You will imprint him?Icannot chance his straying from our bed and mayhap foisting someonesbastard on me.TheElder swallowed hard at his frankness. An image of his son spreadbeneath Rohyr came to him unbidden. Involuntarily, his eyes droppedto the kings lap where his tunic parted, revealing the length ofhis muscular thighs and a glimpse of his crotch. His snug breechesleft little room for guesswork. Dael inwardly cringed.Heknew what it was to be speared but never had he experienced couplingwith one as generously endowed as Rohyr obviously was. Would Lassenbe able to bear it? It was not that he thought Rohyr cruel orinsensitive but surely it would be no easy thing to sheathe a swordsuch as the king possessed.Daelbecame conscious of the other Elders averted gazes. They did notpressure him with either word or look but Dael knew what they hopedfor. He glanced at Rohyrs companions. Imcael was obviouslydispleased while Yovan had adopted a neutral expressionhe had saidhis piece and now left matters to his nephew. Gilmael and Keosqe, onthe other hand, regarded him with sympathy but also, to the Eldersbemusement, some humor.Keosqeglanced at his royal cousin then shook his head with a wry smile.Dael followed his glance and regretted it an instant later. Rohyr wassmiling, too, but his smile did not quite reach his eyes. Daelunderstood then that the choice had already been made for him andthat his acquiescence was little more than a formality.Well?Rohyr said, his voice edged with mild impatience. Are we agreed onthis or not?Daelresigned his son to the inevitable. Drawing an almost painful breath,he formally acceded. Tis as you wish, Your Majesty. Lassen isyours from this day forth.ChapterThreeContractDaellistened to the clink and clatter of colliding kitchenware. If thesounds got any louder, he would have to consider ducking behind thestout kitchen door. Mithres aim was nothing to sniff at.Thewelcome dinner had been small and intimate, the chief officers of thetown militia and the Elders mates the only other folk present.Throughout, talk had focused on the regions chronic banditry andwhen reinforcements would arrive. These would be drawn from the royalarmy and the constabularies of the nearest fiefs of Edessa andQimaras. A grumpy Imcael had not hidden his displeasure at having tosend troops to this Veres forsaken