the throne,Dylen concurred.Andthey were lovers all this time, Riodan said with some wonder. Hechuckled wryly. I truly did not see that.Neitherdid I until that very moment.Riodansbrow furrowed. But Amirs counsellor, his scribe, theservantsdo you think they know?Mostlikely.YetMalkon didnt. Why did no one tell him, I wonder?Doyou really? Malkon was generally disliked even by his own retainers,Dylen reminded him. The only folk who were loyal to him were hisfamilys supporters.Thenit wasnt disapproval of Sivars demeanor I witnessed that daybut rather discomfort that they were being so open in front of me.Riodan frowned. Did they worry that Imight carry the tale to Malkon myself?Possibly,Dylen replied. They didnt know your intentions yet. But Sivarand Laral must have believed you could be trusted else they wouldhave been discreet. And Amir apparently agreed with them.Isuppose youre right, Riodan conceded. But how very foolishof Malkon not to cultivate affection for himself amongst the royalhousehold at least.Dylenshrugged. Foolish and overly conceited. I wager he thought himselfmuch too high to care for the sensibilities of common folk.Hewas beyond stupid then, Riodan dryly concluded. Will theFerrendas believe the official story of his death?Ihighly doubt it. Several Terazan delegates gone missing in the spaceof one nightwilldefinitely raise suspicions, Dylen pointed out. But they willhave no grounds to protest. Or rather theyre in no position to doso given Malkons role in the murders of two Halvans and theattempted assassination of Laral.Riodannodded. Who will you inform of the truth? Aside from Rohyr thatis. Gilmael, of course, as my superior, Dylen answered. AndTenryon will have toknowif it can aid him in searching for the templar who shielded Malkon.As for Lassen, well, Rohyr tells him everything in any case.Thatmade Riodan grin. He trusts Lassen completely. Dylen sighed.Because he loves him utterly, he softly said. Their eyes met.Riodans grin turned wistful.Despiteeverything, I enjoyed our stay in Asmara very much, he whispered.So did I, Dylen agreed. Against my better judgment.Riodanseyes widened as he recalled the same words spoken just so more thantwenty years ago. And then they twinkled.Perhapsyour better judgment isnt all youve touted it to be, heteased. Dylen tried not to smile and, failing quite miserably, huffeda chuckle instead. Youre probably right, he lightly said.** * *TheShaja summoned Dylen a few days later.Hesat with Amir in the long trellis-shaded terrace adjacent to theroyal apartments. Dylen looked about him appreciatively. There weremany such airy spaces built into the upper levels of the palace. Andthe view of Shenze from this particular spot was spectacular to saythe least.Afterthe usual preliminary courtesies, Amir immediately broached thereason for his summons.Whatyou didthat was extraordinary, Lord Dylen, he remarked. TheEssendris are indeed to be feared if they are all so gifted.Restyou, Dyhar,not all the Royal House are as blessed, Dylen assured him. AndRohyr was trained by Tenryon Hadrana himself.Meaningto say he has been imbued with a sense of honor and responsibility inthe owning of such power. Thank Veres for that. Amir nodded. Yes,Hadrana-tyarsreputation precedes him even here in the south. Would that the samecould be said of all adepts. The templar who aided the Ferrendas forone.Ihave already sent word to Tenryon regarding that matter.