inquiredperemptorily. Yes, Riodan tersely answered. Hearing the treadof footsteps mounting the stairsoutside,he added, I have missed him so, Aba.Dont begrudge me this one small joy. Whatever Theron would havereplied was preempted when the door opened again.Dylenentered, briefly hesitating when he espied the elder Leyhar. But,though his eyes turned wary, he did not let the latters presencedeter him. He walked to Riodan who eagerly met him halfway.Foran awkward moment, they looked at each other uncertainly. And thenDylen held out his hand and said, Am I welcome?Riodanclasped his hand and firmly replied, You always are, Dy. Heturned his head and looked defiantly at his sire. Abawas just leaving,Theronsface reddened slightly, but he did not rebuke Riodan. He stood up,stiffly saying, Yes, I must be on my way.Hemoved toward the door. But to Riodans dismay, he abruptly stoppedand turned around and headed back toward them. Riodan held his breathas his sire faced Dylen, his mien worryingly stern. Therons throatworked jerkily, as if he found it hard to speak.Thesenior diplomat said, I hope you can forgive an old dog his badhabits, Essendri-dyhar.I wronged you, and for that, I am sorry.Riodangaped at him in shock. He quickly glanced at Dylen. His beloved wasvisibly surprised as evinced by the startled lift of his eyebrows.But Riodan thought he also glimpsed a flicker of respect in Dylenseyes,Badhabits are the hardest to break, Ambassador, Dylen quietlyreplied. I wont hold your errors against you if you donthold my past against me.Heheld Therons gaze. The ambassador was the first to waver.Fairenough, Theron gruffly agreed. He bade them both goodbye andwalked out of the room.Riodanblew his breath out. He glanced at Dylen, his eyes still wide withamazement. I didnt expect that, he admitted.Nordid I, Dylen said. But its good to have that out of theway. He ran a searching gaze over Riodan. You look very well.Iamwell, Riodan assured him. And itching to get back to work.HasEiren given you leave? Dylen asked as Riodan led him to thehearthside couch. They sat in cozy warmth before the crackling fire.Riodanshook his head. He says another sennight or so. It better be for,if he confines me any longer than that, I swear I shall startclimbing the walls.Dylensmiled. Why did you move here? he curiously asked. Did youhave a falling-out with your parents?Nay.But, saints above, Dy! You cant imagine what its like to benigh smothered with care. They were all but coddling me to death,Riodan darkly muttered.Dylenchuckled. Even better, his earth green eyes danced with mirth.Elated, Riodan said, You will stay for dinner, yes?Iwould like that, Dylen smilingly replied.Thebutler returned and served them a light afternoon repasthardcranapple cider, spiced haronuts, dainty blackgrape leaf rollsstuffed with forcemeat and, to Dylens amusement, crunchy Asmarancracklings and bite-sized batter-coated quintail eggs fried to agolden turn.Youseem to have developed a taste for southern cuisine, he remarkedas he popped a quintail egg into his mouth.Notall, Riodan mildly demurred. I dont mind blood soup andsauteed fish tongues too muchactually, theyre quite delicious.But you will never get me to try roasted ram bollocks!Nay?But its considered a great delicacy, Dylen said. Andpurported to do marvels for ones potency.Riodanwrinkled