frond salad withcaramelized haronuts and edible flower petals and the tiny freshwaterfingerlings plunged live into boiling oil and served whole and crispto the piquantly sauced breast of rainbow-plumaged tarmican. Anddelighted though he was with the freshly churned fruit ice at the endof the meal, the presence of the chilled sweet in the middle ofsummer emphasized the rarified social sphere he was now part of. Whoelse could afford to have ice transported from Mount Saraksperpetually half-frozen lakes and streams?Throughout,they were plied with the appropriate beverage to go with each course,even unto the sparkling wine at the end of the meal that furtherintensified the flavor of the fruit ice. The contrast to the plainerand comfortingly familiar midday repast was jarring. Lassen wonderedif this was what the king dined on most days.Afterwards,Rohyr ushered him to the long couch facing the hearth where Joselserved them Rohyrs favorite siryana wine. As soon as the disheswere cleared, they were left alone. Lassen tensed.ButRohyr sat back and idly regarded the rosy depths of his wine. Lassenbegan to relax as well. Until Rohyr pulled him close to nuzzle hishair. He caught his breath. Hearing Rohyr sigh, he glanced sidewaysat him.Ilike your soap, Rohyr said. It has a sweet refreshing smell,yet it doesnt mask your scent.Lassenmade a mental note to write to his parents and ask them to send him agoodlysupplyof Velarusian herbal soap.DidJosel show you around? Rohyr asked.Alittle, Lassen replied. Tis a bit too much to absorbeverything in one afternoon.Indeed,Rohyr agreed. Forgive me for not seeing to it myself.Unfortunately, work always accumulates in my absence no matter howdiligent my people are.ButYour Majesty, Lassen protested. I dont expect you to tend tome when there are more important matters at hand.Rohyr,the king reminded him.Faintlyblushing, Lassen complied. For the next few minutes, they did notspeak again but savored the peace and quiet with only the chirping ofcrickets coming through the balcony to break the silence.Atlength, Rohyr stirred and glanced at Lassen. What do you wish toknow, Las-min?he murmured. When Lassen looked at him in surprise, he added, Ican sense yourcuriosity.Dont be afraid to ask any question of me. I wont bite, Ipromise.Hearingthe good humor in Rohyrs voice, Lassen huffed a nervous giggle. Iwas just thinking that the Citadel seems easy to invade because ofall the glass and open galleries, he admitted. But I supposethat is deceptive.Rohyrnodded. It is indeed. This is a fortress despite all themodifications that have made it appears less of one. Rest assured theCitadel is extremely well fortified. Its frame is made of stone andsteel and the glass used in the large windows is thick and not easilyshattered. It will be difficult for any invader to breach ourdefenses. Not that Rikara itself will be subject to invasion anytimesoon. The last time an enemy penetrated Ylandre so deeply that theylaid waste to liege property was during the so-called FerrendaInterregnum.Lassenhad brightened when Rohyr began his discourse. Diffidence forgotten,he eagerly faced the king. I know something of the period but notall the details. It seems such a troubling part of our history thatmy teachers were reluctant to dwell on it.Whatdo you know of