the Anjuin Herun willin all likelihood embolden the Dimaris to exert influence on him andthrough him on eastern Velarus.Aflimsy excuseWhichthey would not be above using to foster dissent in the southeast,Yovan interjected. Cozening its folk with promises of prosperity,more say in the governance of the land and greater attention to theirneeds which, admittedly, the Ylandrin Crown cant match given thepresent political dispensation. Lest you have forgotten, Imcael, thatwas how they gained a foothold in Velarus before.Keepin mind, too, that weve kept the peace in the region for ten yearsnow, Gilmael continued. Even a century hence, the greaternumber of Velarusians wont remember the Cattanians brutalityand rapaciousness and might consider a nearby Dimari overlordpreferable to a distant Essendri ruler. I wouldnt put it past theCattanians to invade Velarus once again on the pretext of liberatingits citizenry.Whilethe Varadani separatists continue to produce Ferrenda pretenders andstir up unrest in Tenerith, Riodan commented. Ylandre would bebeset by strife on two fronts.Gilmaeldipped his head in affirmation. Exactly.Imcaelshrugged dismissively. Be that as it may, I came only to informRohyr of the proposal, not to ask him to grant Tyrde permission toaccept it.Riodangaped, his diplomats poise overtaken by sheer incredulity. Youwould still proceed? he blurted. Even if His Majesty cantpossibly approve this course of action?Imcaelraised his chin defiantly. I carry the blood royal, as do my sons.We have the right to wed whomever we please.Andthereby invite treason into the very heart of our House.Howdare you accuse me of treacherous intentions, Yovan, Imcaelsnapped. Fie on you to even think it when Ive held my hand allthese years though I stand so close to the throne!Notyou, Imcael, or your sons, Yovan retorted. But you cantguarantee that Tyrdes children or theirs will remain as loyal tothe Crown as you are.Andcan any of us here claim that? Imcael countered. No one of uscan foretell the future and say with any assurance that all will bewell if we follow this course or another! He clenched his handsangrily on the table. I have only ever wanted what is due my sons.Verily, I shouldnt have allowed Mahael and Ronuin to wed outsideof our House to Deira of lesser blood.Gilmaelshook his head. Uncle, their mates hail from families ofunimpeachablebloodlines.Butthey are princes of this realm and should have wed those of likeroyal heritage, Imcael shot back. I should have insisted onEssendri kin. As it is, the purity of our House has already beenseriously compromised by ill-advised unions.WhileGilmael and Riodan uncomfortably lowered their eyes, Yovan gloweredat Imcael in indignation over the unsubtle jab at his family. Imcaelhad never made secret his opinion of the binding of Yovans fatherto an untitled Deir of the lower aristocracy and taking his surnameto boot. He had also deplored Yovans marriage to one of the heirsof Clan Cordona. Wealthier than some entire cities the family mightbe with their extensive network of banks and financial institutions,but they were still commoners whose antecedents had started out witha money-lending stall in the commercial district of Rikara. InImcaels opinion, they had no business infusing the loftiest Housein Ylandre with their plebeian blood.ThankVeres his brother was not present, Rohyr thought.