rake up the past, he said. But I truly needyour help. Addaneeds your help. If you value what we sharedDontbe a fool, Riodan, Theron sternly interrupted. I heard what heasked of you. Its out of the question! Can you imagine whatquestions will be raised? No one will believe that simple compassiondrove you. Why, everyone will immediately assume that there wasintimacy between the two of you if you approach Rohyr on a merehetharsbehalf.Butif I act for a friend, surely Riodan tentatively suggested.Thatsno better! We dont make friends with the likes of him. Itssimply not done! And lest youve forgotten, Theron barreled on,mayhap hethareare respected in Rikara and other great cities but that isnt thecase in more conservative areas and certainly not in Tehara. Gossipcan make or break your career. And there are also a goodly number ofhighly placed Deira who will take exception to any sordid tales fromyour past. That includes the Baraths. It would be the height of follyto give them a reason to repudiate you now that youve come to anagreement with GuyonThedoor opened once more, and a servant peered in after a discreetwhile. Barath-tyarwishesto enter, Your Excellencies, he announced.Givingboth Riodan and Dylen a warning glare, Theron gestured to theretainer to permit the newcomer entry.Anelegantly clad Deir walked in. Of medium build and blandly handsome,he carried himself with an air of being someone. But Dylen did notrecognize him despitehavingseen or met just about every young Rikaran of real consequence in thecourse of his profession.Sothis is where you disappeared to, the Deir said, coming toRiodans side. Whats so important that you had to abandonyour guests?Theronquickly replied, Nothing important at all, Guyon-min.Rio, let us return to our guests.Dylencaught his breath when he noticed the matching elliptical goldearrings at Riodan and Guyons left ears with opalescent milkstoneat one end and deep red heartsfire at the other. There was no doubtabout it. The Deir was Riodans betrothed.Hehad long braced himself for the probability that Riodan would go onwith his life and find someone worthy to stand at his side as hemoved up and forward in the diplomatic community. Still, the evidenceof it hurt, and he struggled to hide his feelings.Riodanmust have spotted his reaction for he suddenly flushed and turned hishead sideways, obscuring his earring from Dylens sight. Dylenwanly smiled at the concern his erstwhile lover apparently still heldfor him.Guyonlooked more closely at Dylen. A hethar?he said in surprise upon recognizing Dylens earring. Did youbring one in to entertain us? But I thought you didnt approve ofthem, Leyhar-dyhar.Theambassador shook his head. No more than you do, Guyon. This onehad the impertinence to importune us here just because Riodan oncevisited his club with some friends.Dylenscowled at being spoken of as if he did not have enough wits torealize he was being insulted, not to mention blatantly lied about.He looked at Riodan, wondering why he did not defend him.Guyonwrinkled his nose in distaste. He glanced frowningly at Riodan. Whyin Aisen did you go to a hethareclub, Rio?Amere indulgence of youthful curiosity, Theron interjected beforeRiodan could reply. He had not yet fully developed good taste orsound judgment.Aba,stop it,