approaching Ylandrin forces. He was captured justbefore he gained the border and dragged back with his sons to facepunishment. When Diorn saw what had been done to Ziana, he orderedthat Horem and his family be impaled in the main square of the city.On the same horn with which the priests and temple servants wereslain. Diorn then invaded Varadan, subjugated it and annexed it toYlandre.Thispart of history Lassen knew by heart. Varadan ceased to be within amere decade of its conquest. A third of the old kingdom became thefief of Vireshe and from thereon was held by the Ylandrin crownprince until he ascended to the throne. The remaining two-thirds madeup the Autonomous Province of Tenerith. Every now and then,self-styled Varadani separatists rose up in the province, invariablyclaiming to have uncovered descendants of one of Horems sons anddemanding that Tenerith and Vireshe reunite and regain their ancientsovereignty.Unexpectedly,Rohyr turned the tale back to when the Ylandrin army first came uponthe smoking ruins of Ziana. By some miracle, the temple remainedintact though badly scorched in places. Within were found the corpsesof the butchered priests and servants.Rohyrsvoice dropped almost to a whisper. But in a small room inside werealso discovered the bodies of the temple acolytes, most just pasttheir majority. They had taken poison rather than be violated andoffered up to a heathen god. The only poison available was theembalming potion used on the dead.Lassenshuddered. Embalming kept the dead whole and sound for the durationof thecustomaryten-day mourning vigil.Rohyrseyes glistened as he finished the tale. The agony they had knownbefore they died... The way they had curled up together, holding onto each other for comfort in their last moments. And their facesallcontorted and ashen. Deitys blood, I cant bear even the thoughtof it.Lassenfrowned in confusion. From the anguish in Rohyrs voice, one mightthink he had actually witnessed the horror of that day.Rohyrnoticed his expression. There were many eyewitness accounts ofthat tragedy and they were chronicled in great detail, heexplained. I perforce read them all and was much troubled after.It made for grim reading and I can never truly forget. Ah, let usspeak of less disturbing matters.Theyfell silent for a brief spell. At length, Lassen hesitantly asked,May I finish my schooling? Id like to attend university. Tismy parents wish as well.Theking nodded. Ive already instructed Josel to make arrangementsfor you to enroll at the Rikara Academy. Mithre told me that you havetwo years of secondary school to go. When Lassen nodded eagerly,Rohyr continued with an indulgent smile. You may also go to theState University. My only condition is that you always make yourschedule and whereabouts known to Josel and me. And dont ever takeyour earring off. It will be your insurance against ill-treatment.Ill-treatment?Rohyrstroked the curve of Lassens ear, then ran a fingertip over theearring. You are newly come to the capital and dont hail fromany of the cities. Its unfortunate but bigotry and elitism are notuncommon amongst True Bloods and there are some who go so far as tomistreat those they deem beneath them. University students of highbirth coined the terms enyraand sedyra,did you know that? But as long