Is it?Very.The Teharan royals are terribly fractious and fickle to boot. But askilled diplomat can keep them friendly to Ylandre.Ididnt know that. The servant regarded Dylen with more respect.I shall tell Master Riodan that you are here, he said andhurried out of the chamber.Dylendid not wait overlong. Hardly had he given the well-appointed chamberan appreciative once-over when the door opened and Riodan steppedinto the parlor. Dylen could not help gazing hungrily at him.Maturityhad chiseled his warm and youthful comeliness into a refined andsomewhat remote beauty. That beauty was further emphasized by hisattirea midnight blue dress tunic over a silken shirt of palestcream, coal black long breeches and formal boots. This first sight ofhim at close quarters recalled to Dylen the tumultuous feelings hedexperienced the eve Riodan visited him at the Seralye.Theyoung diplomat looked at him questioningly. Realizing Riodan did notrecognize him, Dylen dropped the hood of his cloak. Riodan stared athim in shock.Saintsabove! he softly exclaimed. Dylen?Dylenthought his heart would burst from his chest. He had not spoken withRiodan since they parted twelve years ago. Just hearing his voiceonce more was a wondrous balm to his yearning heart. He bowed hishead briefly.Imsorry for misleading your servant, he said apologetically. ButI doubted he would have let me in otherwise.Aftera slight pause, Riodan nodded. Understood. But wherefore thisvisit? Under other circumstances, the abrupt allusion to hisintentions would have puzzledDylen,not to mention roused his suspicions. But desperation clouded hisperceptions and he ignored the rather peremptory question.Ineed your help, Rio, he said.Bronzeeyebrows rose in surprise. What has happened? Addais terribly ill. He is stricken with blight.Blight?Then its not serious.Hehas a lethal form of it, Dylen explained. Ive been toldthere is no cure. Riodan looked shocked. Sweet Veres, hesaid with a shake of his head. HeregardedDylen curiously. But, if theres no cure, why did you come tome?Iheard youve grown close to the Ardan, Dylen bluntly stated. Iwant you to secure an audience with him for me.Thattook Riodan aback. You wish to speak with Rohyr? Why?Sothat I can plead with him to summon Eiren Sarvan back from Arvalde.Hes the only physician whos succeeded in curing a patient ofthis disease. Dylen took a step forward, raising his hands insupplication. Please, Rio, I beg you, help us. You know I wouldnever trouble you for anything less thanWhatis hedoing here?TheronLeyhar strode in, his face a picture of righteous indignation.Slamming the door shut behind him, he hastened to Dylen and Riodanand thrust himself between them, forcing Dylen back a step.Rio,go back to our guests at once. Your father cant entertain them allby himself. He glowered at Dylen. How dare you besmear our homewith your presence, he growled. Leave at once! You will get nofavors from us.Dylenstood his ground. I came to ask Rio for aid, Dyhar,he retorted. Theron grew angrier. You have no right to address himso familiarly! On the contrary, I do have the right as hisfriend! Dylen countered.Dylen,Aba,Riodan pleaded as he glanced anxiously at the door. For Veressake, keep your voices down.Dylenfrowned. Riodan appeared troubled by the prospect of being overheard.He looked uneasily at his one-time lover.Rio,I dont wish to