All That Is Evil Is Not Dark/Chapter 63

Tralin came to the seaport to greet Cerin's ship personally. He had need for the knight's services and his return was timely. He was preparing even now to start an expedition to K'eld Ner and the knight would need to run day-to-day affairs for his brief absence. Tralin had considered appointing a regent, but had decided that because Draynor had died while a regent had control, the people might take kindly to having another so soon.

As Cerin left the ship, Tralin registered with mild surprise that Myr was traveling with him. He wondered why the communicant would come from Stone Deep, but even more, he wondered why he had not been informed of his coming prior to his arrival. Myr was a foreign dignitary and it would have been appropriate to greet him officially.

Cerin saw Tralin almost immediately and frowned slightly. Tralin personally choosing to greet him almost assuredly meant that he already had duties for him, and Cerin was tired from his overseas journey. It had gone smoothly from all appearances, but Cerin himself found rest fleeting on the tossing ship. More to the point, he had to brief the king on the situation with Myr.

"Come," Tralin said directly, abruptly putting an end to Cerin's questions and proposed announcement. Taken aback, he and Myr merely followed him to the palace.