He nods darkly. "The Cheysuli have had their share of distrust and ill-will given their way. It was not so long ago that a king's decree nearly eliminated the Cheysuli from the world.

We can only thank the gods that Shaine's orders did not succeed."

He looks at John, puzzled for a moment.

"Oh it is a word in the Old Tongue of the Cheysuli," he says. "In the common speech the appropriate word is 'brother'."