Haito was livid. He could barely retrain himself in Primula's court. When they had arrived for their meeting, Wyeth was already there along with Kysoo, who sat trembling alongside the young Queen. He growled several short statements in his language and the effect on Kysoo was apparent. She began weeping and cowered next to Wyeth who was not much calmer.

"Sir!" Primula's voice snapped into the room with a crackling authority. "You are a guest in my home and will observe the rules that I choose to enforce." Her eyes blazed and Haito was momentarily taken aback at the young woman's manner. "Your daughter is also a guest and while she is here she will be treated with the same respect as any other member of the gathering. When you leave Terrault, how you choose to handle this matter is your business, but while you are here it is mine."

Haito fumed in silence but steeled himself to maintain his honour and save face. "I apologize for my outburst. The matter will be set aside until our business is completed."

Primula acknowledged his apology with a slight bow and a charming smile, retaking her seat at the end of the room. "About this business, Captain Jak tells me that you feel some obligation to serve in our conflict with the Dramins. I am much appreciative of your offer and welcome you and your men as equals in this venture.

Now I think that I am ready to hear your full account, Captain." She turned her attention to Jak, who stepped to the center of the room and began his report. When he was finished, and Gainer had added his share, Primula stared silently at the floor in front of her, the charming smile long since vanished, replaced with a drawn, sickened expression. At last she looked up and took in each face around her, studying each of their eyes in a brief passage.

"Thank you, Captain. I am appalled at the details of your report and stunned by the barbarity of our enemies." She flicked her eyes over Haito's then continued. "I will need a short time to adjust to the status of our young guest," she looked at Wyeth, who blushed and let out a noisy breath. "As the heir and true King of Dramoraine, Wyeth, I must acknowledge your own authority as an equal in this matter."

Wyeth raised a hand in objection. "Primula, no, please. I- this is not- I am not a king, nor an equal. I cannot adjust to much of what has happened let alone the responsibility of a kingdom."

"You can not evade destiny, Wyeth. It is your duty to your bloodline to govern and lead your people." She considered him for a moment. "Be that as it may, I understand how you feel at this time; it is not unlike my own history. Since the heinous crimes of the Dramins and the pirates were committed against our soldiers and the people of Haito's clan, we will undertake the decisions for exacting our revenge. At the conclusion of this conflict however, you will assume your rightful position and we will go together to Moraine and finalize your installation as true king and ruler."

Wyeth knew better than to object. His fate was cast and he sagged back down, lost in his own thoughts. He felt Kysoo's fingers slide into his and another pang struck him, realizing he would have to face her father's wrath sooner or later.

*****

The rest of the evening was devoted to planning and strategy, with a welcome break for a meal of food that the soldiers had severely missed. Haito and his men chose to eat their own rations although several made attempts at the strange dishes served. When they were satisfied with their plans, the men retired for a good rest and a mental preparation for the following day's campaign. Jak asked Haito to stay behind after the others left and took him to a secluded corner of the palace courtyard for a shared glass of wine and some conversation.

"I will not mince my words, Haito. I have too much respect for you as the leader of your people and a father- a father who has suffered such grief so recently." Haito waited in stony silence. "Wyeth will be king of a very large dominion called Dramoraine, high in the hills above Terrault. With proper guidance, it can be a very lucrative and productive society, a desirable neighbour and ally-for all of us." Jak took a swallow of his drink and wiped his mouth. "He is very much taken with your daughter and, as I and others have observed, so she is with him."

"Unacceptable." Haito slashed his hand in the air.

"To what?" Jak retorted. "Think a minute, my friend. Unacceptable to you, your people or the memory of your family? Unacceptable to tradition? Or maybe it's just unacceptable to the whole order of the universe."

Haito leaned close to Jak. "Do not ridicule me, Gaijin. You know nothing of my family, my people, our traditions-or of me, for that matter."

"I do know that you have the same love for your daughter as any father and as such, care and worry for her well being... for her very breath. But Haito, even birds release their young as soon as they can fly and Kysoo is more than ready to spread her wings. Let her decide her future, I guarantee it will include you and all you hold dear."

Haito studied the soldier silently. He could feel the man's passion in his plea and the earnestness of his argument for releasing his iron grip on his daughter. Ever since he came to this land Haito noticed the different, compassionate behaviour between family members. There were rules as in any setting, but each person was given latitude for behaviour that, as long as a basic code was acknowledged, allowed them to make their own personal decisions.

He thought hard about this and about Jak's remarks, considering seriously that if this was to be his chosen society, he should attempt to adjust to new ways, still tempered, of course, by his long ingrained principle.

"You are not a father but you have these insights beyond your experience," Haito said. "How is that?"

"I was a husband and a father, Haito. I lost both to illness a long time ago but not a day goes by that I don't impose silent thoughts on the behaviour of those around me when I see them dealing with their children."

"And yet with me you choose to speak those thoughts aloud."

Jak smiled and shook his head. "I guess you have me there. Let's just say that the people involved made it impossible to remain silent."

"I will sleep on your words, Captain." Haito stood and bowed good night. "I will also give some thought to the odd relationship you have with your Queen Primula."

Jak's face went blank and he blinked his embarrassment over Haito's observation. "It would seem we both have some thinking to do." The two men shook hands, Haito accepting the tradition with equal regard.