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my question."
    "Normally the king would specify the regent in his will," shrugged Lavitor.
    "Normally?" echoed Naveena. "Your choice of words leads me to believe that Eugeon has not done so."
    "Actually," admitted the advisor, "King Eugeon has no will. I have been pestering him for years to complete one, but each time I bring the subject up, he waves me away. I frankly don't think he cares what happens to Borunda after he dies."
    "He doesn't care much what happens to Borunda while he is still alive," laughed Naveena. "Why should that change after he dies?"
    "Don't make fun of the man," frowned Lavitor. "In the early days there was not a finer king than Eugeon anywhere in the world. Abigal's death destroyed the man. He will never recover from that fateful day."
    "I meant no disrespect," apologized Naveena, "but I am still curious about the selection of a regent. That has not happened in Borunda in hundreds of years. What will it be like?"
    "The Council of Advisors will convene," explained Lavitor. "They will draw up a list of eligible regents and then call for an assembly of the full court of Borunda. The assembly will vote on the matter and a new regent will be selected."
    "Doesn't Prince Garrick have a say in the matter?" inquired the wisper.
    "At ten years old?" frowned the advisor. "I suppose he could state a preference, but he is rather young yet to make such a decision. I think it would be best if his wishes were ignored."
    "Well, I don't," declared Naveena. "Garrick is the Crown Prince and running this country will fall to him soon enough. If we do not have enough faith in his decisions to even consider them, then what hope is there for our future?"
    "But he is only ten," objected the advisor. "Sometimes I think you are trying to mature these young boys too quickly. Let them be boys a while longer. Let them enjoy their carefree youth before being saddled with the weight of office."
    "The boys are of the royal family," countered Naveena, "and I think I am eminently better qualified to measure their capabilities than you are. While you may have expertise in protocol, I alone understand the capabilities of the princes. Do not presume to tell me how to raise them."
    "I'm sorry," the advisor said as he retreated from the window and started getting dressed. "I didn't mean to upset you. I was just stating my mind."
    "I understand," Naveena smiled warmly. "I guess I am rather overprotective of the boys, but I do think they are capable of far more than anyone suspects. How are the lessons with Zinan going? Is he learning your skills at an appropriate pace?"
    "Zinan is an extremely intelligent lad," Lavitor answered. "He is capable of many things, but his heart is not in the task before him. I know you expect him to become advisor to his cousin, Garrick, but it is not what Zinan wants to do with his life."
    "And what do you think he wants to do with his life?" questioned the wisper.
    "Many things," laughed Lavitor, "but being Garrick's advisor is not one of them. At times he wants to be a great warrior, or a spy, or a traveling minstrel. His desires are typical of a young boy. He seeks travel and excitement."
    "I will have a talk with him about his attitude this morning," Naveena declared.
    Lavitor cringed at the thought of being the source of the lad's discomfort. He never wished to bring Naveena's wrath down on anyone. He knew how hard her words could sting.
    "Don't be too hard on him," Lavitor offered meekly as he opened the door and slipped out of the suite.
    Naveena turned to lash out verbally at Lavitor, but it was too late; the door had already closed. She laughed heartily at his fearful exit. As she finished dressing, her mind dwelt on the thought of the regency. For ten years she had been successful in pulling herself into a position of power within the palace, and it had been so terribly easy. She had managed to keep Eugeon in a state of senility by constantly bringing up his failure to protect his wife and sister, and