decrease in the mind gifts.In any case, that so-called decline occurred two generations down theline. And the talent wasthere but Syrdon Essendri was so fearful of being overthrown by hisrogue sons, he chose not to properly train them. No matter how giftedone is, if one doesnt receive proper tutelage, ones fullpotential cant be realized. Witness Uncle Imcaels situation.Besides, Lassen isnt completely without skills.Well,that should put that misconception to rest, Ranael commented afterEiren gave them a brief account of Lassens shielding ability.ButGilmael said, It would still give Tyrde a valid reason to breakwith Rohyr and wed himself to Lyam Dimari. That would bring us rightback to the original problem.ThenI will step down, Rohyr retorted. Imcael can have the throne. Ivery much doubt that hell permit such a union once the sceptrelies heavy in his hands.Veresforbid that he should rule Ylandre, Keiran objected with ashudder. Why, he would have the country up in arms against theCrown by the time his reign was done! You cant leave the land tosuch a fate.Allthe more reason for us to discover a way for Rohyr to have Lassen ashis mate andconsort,Aeldan asserted. It would be fatal to Ylandre were he torelinquish thecrownto Imcael.Butmore than that, we would see you happy, Cousin, Rysander stressed.He looked at the others, hands spread in appeal. There mustbe a good reason for him to divorce Tyrde.Keosqeshook his head. No matter what reason that may be and howevervalid, Tyrde still holds the threat of a Cattanian marriage overRohyr.Doeshe? Reijir unexpectedly said. Ive been wondering about that.Consider that Tyrde could have gone straight to Rohyr and threatenedto divorce him if he didnt send Lassen away. Why did he speak withLassen instead?FollowingReijirs train of thought, Zykriel commented, And why did hewarn him not to tell anyone of their talk? The potency of his threatlies in Rohyrs constant awareness of the repercussions to Ylandreshould he fail to uphold his end of their bargain. What need wasthere for secrecy?Theexchange of questioning glances betrayed the others puzzlement.Because he didnt want Rohyr to think too hard about it,Dylen suddenlysuggested.When the others stared at him in bewilderment, he said, Whensomething we loathe is pressed upon us repeatedly, there comes apoint when we may stop enduring it and start to look for a way to ridourselves of it instead.Butthat presupposes that there isa way to be rid of this, Ashrian pointed out. And how do weknow that there is no way? Dylen countered. Everything stemsfromwhat theyve revealed to us. How do we know that they told useverything?Orthat they told the complete truth, Gilmael said, his brow furrowedas he tried torecallthe details of that fateful meeting with Imcael.Iconcur, Jareth spoke up. Something about Imcaels claimsbothered me when I heard the details of your negotiations with him,he said to Rohyr. But you were already wed by then and I needed toconcentrate all my attention on the Treyana crisis.Whatin particular disturbed you? Rysander asked.Imnot altogether sure but it had to do with the Anjuin law ofsuccession. It reminded me of... Jareth shook his head and lookedacross the table at Keiran and Zykriel. What say we