breeches and softboots showed his sleekly muscled limbs and slender feet to advantage.His hair he left loose save for the tiny plaits above his ears thatheld his locks from his face. Lastly, he had donned a silken mantlepinned over one shoulder with a simple gold brooch.Lassenpaid the stares that followed him no mind as he walked up to thechamber entrance. He looked for Mykal and Owyn amidst the waitingthrong and saw them standing towards the rear of the line. They werenot on the rolls and would not be permitted to enter the chamberunless Lassen secured a place for them among the officiallyacknowledged petitioners. He beckoned to them to approach the doorthen quietly entered.Theguards dipped their heads respectfully as he wordlessly slipped pastthem to take a place alongside the courtiers standing nearest thedoor. Sooner than he liked, those in proximity to him noticed hispresence. He gave no sign that he heard their curious mutterings butsimply waited. He did not wait long.Atthe far end of the room, Rohyr sat on the black wood throne ofYlandre, the sceptre of Rikara loosely cradled in one arm. Flanked byhis cousin Keosqe on one side and his uncle Yovan on the other, hepatiently listened to an elderly petitioner.Fromhis travel-stained raiment, Lassen knew the Deir hailed from afartheseaward fief of Glanthar or thereabouts if the fisherfolks basketat his side was any indication. Sure enough, as soon as Rohyrpromised to address his complaint, the petitioner lifted the basketand pulled aside the cloth that covered it to reveal an offering ofsalted, dried blue eel from the Samaran Sea west of the NorthContinent.Manywrinkled their noses as the pungent aroma of the delicacy waftedacross the chamber. But Rohyr did not allow even a flicker ofdistaste to show. Instead, he briskly thanked the old petitioner forhis gift and bid one of the squires to take it to the kitchensforthwith. Concealing what Lassen knew to be a grin with his hand, hesat back to await the next supplicant.Inthe next instant, he straightened and looked about searchingly. Hisgaze alighted on Lassen. Heeding the kings command, Keosqe signedto the attendants to hold the succeeding petitioners back awhile.Rohyr lifted the sceptre and pointed it at his leman.Lassenapproached the throne at a measured pace, ignoring the whispers thataccompanied his every stride. Coming before Rohyr, he bowed lowbefore him.Whereforethe pleasure of your presence, Las-min?Rohyr softly inquired, the familiar form of his name Lassenssignal to straighten up.Iwish to request an audience with you, Dyhar,he replied. For certain of my townmates whove come hotfoot toplead for your aid.Rohyrglanced at the chamber entrance. Mykal and Owyn stood just outsidethe door, hopefully awaiting permission to enter. Rohyr looked atLassen once more.Youso rarely ask anything of me, I can only imagine what direcircumstance has compelled you to appeal to me now. I will hear themout.Lassenbeamed his thanks and stepped to one side as, at a gesture fromKeosqe, the Elders came forward.Surprisemet their recounting of the blockade. Even Keosqe whose business itwas to keep abreast of such events had not anticipated it.Therewas no indication of this whatsoever? Rohyr questioned.Keosqeshook his head. Had there been, either Gilmael