SIAN WALKED AROUND THE ROOM, stopping at the huge portraits of King Nikias and Queen Ariadwen. The King had been a handsome man with dark hair and blue eyes, though not as blue as Alek's. The Queen had strawberry blonde hair and had been a beauty. Alek didn't appear to take after either of his parents in particular. Cat wandered over with Loi and Kassie and they all silently studied the portraits.

The guard glanced at the paintings then shook his head. 'It was a real tragedy ...