Khadji shrugged. What could we do? Barbarians or not, the Babors have kinship claims on us. It wouldn't be right to say no to our cousins."

Myrna sniffed. Pretty distant cousins, for all that."

"He seems a likely enough lad, Khadji said in the stranger's defense. His family is related to the Babor headman's wife. They live somewhere in the south. People of influence, from the cut of the boy. He's a handsome fellow about your age, Safar. And tallabout your size, as well. Very mannered. Good clothing. And well spoken. Seems the sort who's used to having servants to order about."

"He'll soon learn there are no servants in Kyrania, Myrna said sharply. Then, Why is he being sent to us?"

"He's an orphan, Safar's father said.

Myrna was scandalized. An orphan? What kind of orphan is he? No, I take that back. The Gods make orphans. It's no fault of a child's. It's the boy's kin I wonder about. What manner of people are they to push an orphan on strangers? Have they no feelings?"

Safar saw his father shift, uneasy. It seems there's some sort of difficulty in his clan, Khadji said. A quarrel of some kind."

Myrna's eyebrows rose. With those sort of people, she said, quarrel usually means violence and bloodshed. It's the only way they know how to settle an argument."

Khadji nodded, unhappy. I suspect you're right, Myrna, he said. The boy's uncle said as much. I think he fears for the boy's life. He's asked us to let the lad stay at the temple until the danger has passed."

Safar could have told his father he'd used the wrong words.

"Danger? his mother exclaimed. What danger, Khadji?"

"Only to the boy, Myrna, his father soothed. Only to the boy."

"But what if they come here? What if they cause trouble?"

"Only his uncle will come, his father said. And only when it is safe for the lad to return to his family. Be reasonable, Myrna. We have to explain this to the others and if you're opposed to it, why, we'll have to go back on our agreement.