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TAXILA'S CHILDREN<br />
He lay back and allowed her to wash him.<br />
"Wipe that repulsive smirk off your face!"<br />
"Anything else you'd like?"<br />
"Yes!"<br />
Later, she told him what had happened.<br />
"Rho Arpor tried to hide his fury at what happened before you left the Thanehold. He<br />
couldn't resist sending the three Adepts and some of his men after you. When he saw what<br />
you did to them, he changed his tactics. You became a side issue, he was playing for higher<br />
stakes. My father had locked us all out, he didn't want us to know what Rho Arpor had<br />
allowed him to see in his mind. Last evening, when Danyk had returned, our High Thane<br />
decided to show his hand. He announced his intention of uniting with Laoni! It seems that my<br />
beloved sister is quite agreeable. It was this which my father had been permitted to see. Laoni<br />
left with Rho Arpor this morning. We are all cordially invited to the Formal Declaration,<br />
which will take place twenty days from now - Rho Arpor made a special point of insisting on<br />
your presence!"<br />
Steve drew her closer to him.<br />
"Now - isn't that kind!"<br />
"Of course - we won't go!"<br />
"I wouldn't miss it, Maia! How could I refuse when your illustrious High Thane made such<br />
a point of insisting I should be there?"<br />
She argued furiously until he suspended the conversation with another bout of love<br />
making. Eventually, she pushed him away.<br />
"Don't think you can win every argument by doing that!"<br />
"Can you think of a better way? - Make love, not war!"<br />
They dressed and went down to the evening gathering. Steve resumed his place at the<br />
festive board, it was as if he had not been away. The space which Laoni had occupied, had<br />
been absorbed. Across the table, Danyk and Krin sat shoulder to shoulder. The younger<br />
brother eyed Steve with animated interest.<br />
"I'm glad you're back!"<br />
"I'm happy to be back - "<br />
"You certainly put a fire under Rho Arpor's arse!"<br />
"Shut up, Krin!"<br />
Danyk's intervention was abrupt.<br />
"As usual, your mouth outstrips your common sense."<br />
"You don't believe that crap about Rho Arpor listening to everything we say?"<br />
"I said, shut up! - and block your thoughts. It's about time you learned a little<br />
responsibility."<br />
It looked as if a free fight was about to erupt. Steve said smoothly.<br />
"I never get aggressive unless I'm provoked - or attacked. Perhaps, Rho Arpor's men<br />
exceeded their authority, if so, they learned a valuable lesson."<br />
Danyk was hard faced.<br />
"If you call blasting the minds of three men into idiocy a valuable lesson, I would have to<br />
agree."<br />
Lyot and Hepha entered together. They bowed formally and took their places. The Scarn<br />
house servants started to bring in the food. Lyot's face was impassive when he greeted Steve.<br />
"I see that you have decided to return to the Thanehold. You are welcome at my table."<br />
"I thank you for your hospitality."<br />
"I read in your thoughts that Maia has informed you of the high honour extended to my<br />
house and Clan by our High Thane."<br />
"I am sure the merging of your two houses will be of equal benefit to Rho Arpor."<br />
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