Atreus heard the hiss of a dagger blade clearing its sheath. The Royal Husband growled, "Rishi!"

The little Mar fell instantly silent.

Rosalind spoke to Atreus. "Tell me, explorer, are the Sisters of Serenity to be your final destination?"

Atreus could tell by the way she asked that the queen knew the answer. "No, I am seeking the Valley of Langdarma."

The answer drew a chorus of snickering from the Ffolk on the dais, though the Mar remained silent.

The queen looked past Atreus and said in perfect Thorass, "That's enough! I will not have an envoy from a foreign kingdom laughed at in my court!" The sniggering died away, then she spoke again to Atreus in modern Realmspeak. "I wonder, explorer, if you would be kind enough to take the shirt off your head."

Atreus hesitated, recalling how the simple effort of accepting a letter had caused the queen's hand to tremble. "I am happy to grant any request you make of me, but I must warn you, the Mar claim I have the face of Ysdar."

"Most certainly!" added Jyotish. "It would be better for all if you did not look on it, Most Radiant."

"There is no need for concern, Jyotish," said Rosalind. "If the explorer were truly as ugly as Ysdar, would you be here to warn me off?"

Jyotish nodded. "Of course, Most Radiant. Not even Ysdar could make me crazy enough to leave your service."

Rosalind laughed, then gestured to Atreus. "You may remove the shirt, explorer. Forewarned is fair-armed. I doubt the shock will kill me."

"As you wish."

Atreus bowed his head and pulled the shirt off, returning it Rishi.