Continued from S3-3-11: Lennara Thrinsus. Although few westerners knew the language of the east, Syn had learned it in his youth and recognized the word ‘elithior’ as ‘pande for constellation, so he was not as surprised that Lennara’s teacher was from the east as the others were. However, he was suspicious of the coincidence of meeting another easterner so soon after parting company with Brytag, and shot a warning glare at his companions to be sure they did not mention her presence. “Why has this ‘learned scrutineer’ come so far just to study the elithior which hang above his home just as they do here?” Syn inquired, clearly not surprised or impressed by her revelation. “He came to enlighten us to the truth of the Elithior!” she shot back in an even more haughty tone. Without knowing ‘pande, she had assumed that Elithior was the name given to the star-gods by the Eshmirians, but he seemed to know some meaning for the word that she did not. “None of this matters!” Rodrigo interrupted. He didn’t care where her teacher came from or what he had taught her. “You’re coming home with me… and if you’re smart you’ll never speak this blasphemy again!” “You are wrong… This is all that matters,” calm, strangely accented, lilting male voice that carried a tone of authority said from behind them. They all turned to see a figure step from the shadows of the doorway; he wasn’t tall or powerfully built, in fact he was rather short and plump, with a shaved head and a strangely styled mustache and beard, but he had a commanding presence. “It is nearly time for this evening observations,” he addressed Lennara in an almost scolding tone, and then he panned his squinty eyes from Blade to Rynard to Syn and let them settle on Rodrigo. “I am Thayland Dune, learned scrutineer of the Prefecture of Methanwyr. Lennara is one of my acolytes, therefore her home is here at my side,” he announced as if possessing the authority to settle the dispute, while he draped his arm around her shoulders and started to guide her from the chamber, but then paused and looked back at them; “If you are open to true illumination, you may join our observations, otherwise you will leave… without Lennara!” “You have no authority over us, or Lennara,” Rodrigo shot back at the Eshmirian defiantly, as Dune turned and continued to guide the willing girl toward the doorway. “She is returning to Ordis with me!” Dune stopped at the doorway, but ushered Lennara thought, then he turned to face the enraged Vilmirian knight. “Her father has no claim to her any longer,” he stated emphatically. “She has willing given herself to me; mind, soul… and body!” Rodrigo stood dumbfounded as Dune turned away with a wicked smile on his face and followed Lennara into the dark hallway. A Vilmirian noblewoman was expected to remain pure until married, even though noblemen were not. For his cousin to have soiled herself with the likes of this Eshimirian charlatan was a horrible disgrace, and could revoke the marriage agreement. To be continued on S3-3-13: Antonia Forli. The twelveth installment in the thrid "book" of my Stormbeinger characters' adventures. Thanks for looking... Hope you enjoy! Comments and suggestions always welcome and appreciated!