his eyes and quiveredslightly when Rohyr fastened the new earring in place. It feltheavier and not only in the physical sense. With it came the weightof the obligations he would take upon himself as a kings leman.Itsuits you, Las-min,Rohyr softly said.Lassencaught his breath, blindsided by Rohyrs implicit familiarity withhim. The diminutive form of address was generally applied to a Deirof junior years or rank and only when a close relationship whetherfamilial, platonic or professional was in place.Whenappended to the shortened form of the recipients name, it impliedintimacy such as existed between parent and child or mentor andprotege. Or lovers. Rohyr addressing him thusly was an anticipatorysign of the future state of their relations. He cautiously peeked atthe Ardan.Tohis shock, Rohyr gently brushed their lips together. The kiss wasbrief and ever so light that Lassen half thought he had imagined it.It left him severely shaken. His first kiss and it was his king whohad bestowed it. It struck Lassen all over again that all of hisfirsts would henceforth be shared with Rohyr Essendri. He closed hiseyes and bit his lower lip to stop its trembling.Whenhe dared to look at Rohyr once more, the latter was regarding himsympathetically. He fought for calm and, achieving a measure of it,said in a hushed voice, I pray I will please you, Rohyr-dyhar.Runninghis knuckles down Lassens rosy cheek, Rohyr replied, Youalready do.ChapterFourDisplacementStandingamong his fellow Elders in the town hall courtyard, Dael somberlyawaited his family.Itwould be hard to watch his youngest child ride out of Tal Ereq andtheir lives. It was unlikely that Lassen would join them often enoughto make it feel like he was still a resident of the town. He would bemore a part of House Essendri than the family he was born into.Daelstraightened when Rohyr walked up to him, his eyes drawn to the blackand silver asitra that perched on the kings shoulder. The smallhawk was arguably the fleetest bird in Aisen and was employed as acourier when speed was of the essence.SomeTrue Bloods were gifted in mind-speech and could communicate bythought alone over great distances. But it took an enormous amount ofmental energy to sustain a lengthy exchange and one so engaged oftenrequired that others equally gifted channeled their strength to boosthis. Dael doubted that Rohyr required much assistance in this,however, and wondered what need the Ardan had for a messenger hawk.He was surprised when Rohyr urged the bird-of-prey onto his wristthen extended the creature to him.Shesgentle and well-trained, Rohyr said as Dael gingerly accepted theasitras hold on his arm. And she knows the way to Rikara.Youll be able to communicate with Lassen as frequently as youwish. This is paltry recompense for the loss of a sons presencebut it may ease your grief.Daellooked at the hawk wonderingly. He hesitantly stroked the asitra. Itslightly bated its feathers, then settled into his touch. Dael smiledand turned gleaming eyes on the king.Weare indebted, Dyhar.Rohyrsnorted. Hardly. It is I who is taking the greater treasure withme.Lassenentered the courtyard with his father and brothers, looking about himwith the air of one committing everything to memory. Keosqeapproached Mithre and gave him