When the old man moved from his balcony chair to the table, he pretended not to notice that Reynald stood ready to help him. Then, as they ate, neither Uthair nor Lia seemed in a hurry to address the reason for the meal invitation. Afterward, Reynald and Estarra cleaned up while their grandparents took a pair of musical instruments from a shelf on the wall and went to the balcony.

Uthair strummed a resonating harp-guitar he had invented, while Lia played a melody on a hollow flute. Since they'd retired, the two had busied themselves with creating imaginative music-makers from forest materials. They gave their instruments to children, who ran about tooting and strumming and jangling in the wilderness. Uthair and Lia couldn't have been more pleased.

Finally, his grandmother got down to business. "Reynald, if you are going to take the throne as Father of Theroc, it's high time you chose your wife. The people will expect it." Lia set the flute in her lap. "You are already older than your mother was when she married Idriss. Your father was proud and capable, the young leader of a worm-hive city. Their joining has produced a fine brood of offspring. They've ruled well; they're liked by the people." She sighed. "But peaceful times and comfortable living have made them a bit... placid."

"She meanssoft, " Uthair said. "Theroc is self-sufficient, and we don't rely on trade with either the Hansa or Ildirans. Nevertheless, Alexa and Idriss are mistaken to think we can ignore the hydrogue war. There is no such thing as neutrality against an alien enemy that kills indiscriminately."

Lia said, "I'm not even convinced the hydrogues make any distinction between Ildirans and humans."

"Your parents are taking the tack of doing nothing and hoping the problem will go away. For months now, Lia and I have been trying to convince them to let you take charge in these difficult times. And they've finally listened."

Lia patted him on the arm. "You'll be a much better leader, dear. You've got the heart and the head for it."

"Why are you telling me this?" Reynald asked.

Estarra spoke up. "Because in a month you'll be the next Father, and they're counting onyou. Don't let it go to your head."

Uthair chuckled. "Listen to your sister. She's perhaps the wisest one in the family. Maybe a bit blunt, but she speaks the truth."

At another time, Reynald might have gone over to punch Estarra in the shoulder. Now, though, he paid attention. "All right, you invited us to dinner so you could give me advice." He crossed his arms over his chest. "Tell me about the challenges of being a ruler."

Grinning, Uthair lifted his wife's hand. "One of the greatest secrets, Reynald, is that you must marry well."

The old woman looked first at Reynald, then Estarra. "It is past time for you, Reynald. You are thirty-one."