"You're back," Tamerlane said as he moved into the main room. Tyr was standing inside the main entrance with his arms crossed over his chest. He was slowly surveying the room. The chairs were not in place, pillows littered the ground. He made a mental note of the two mugs, left abandoned on the hearth.

"I believe you were informed of my schedule before I left," Tyr replied as his gaze fell on his son. "I believe you were told today or tomorrow."

"Yes, you did say that as I recall," Tamerlane looked around the room, following Tyr's gaze. He noticed the two mugs and the cushions on the floor. He had assumed he had more time before Tyr returned. "I assumed you would be back tomorrow."

"I thought we agreed that you not leave the planet without my knowledge," Tyr's voice was stern as he took off his jacket and hung it by the door.

"I think you told me you prefer I never leave the planet without an armed escort," Tamerlane countered. "Armed escort meaning you of course."

"Have you any idea …" Tyr began.

"Yes, I have an idea," Tamerlane cut him off. Tyr glowered at the younger male before continuing.

"I know you think you can take care of yourself," Tyr began again. "However, when you are alone you are more vulnerable. When we are together, there is less risk to you."

"And if I never leave this planet, there is even less risk of any unfortunate incidences," Tamerlane finished. Tamerlane had to agree after getting knifed in the back by a Nightsider.

"If you were desperate for female companionship again, you should have alerted me," Tyr ran his hand over the back of his neck. He could tell there had been a female in the cavern for some time. He knew his son was a full grown man full of desires as any other man. Tyr knew the loneliness and need of female companionship from his younger years. "We could have planned on a trip to alleviate your increased wanting."

Tamerlane looked at the floor as he rubbed his shoulder. He looked a little uncomfortable as Tyr gazed intently at him.

"You had no business bringing a whore to this place," Tyr began as he walked toward the center of the room. He straightened the chairs, turning them to face one another. He sat down and motioned for Tamerlane to do the same.

"I realize that males your age become … restless," Tyr sat forward with his elbows on his knees. "I remember being your age, once. If you needed an outlet, you should have allowed me to arrange it with someone reputable."

"I did not bring a whore here," Tamerlane replied as he looked up to meet Tyr's gaze. Tyr smiled faintly and shook his head.

"I know there has been a female here, recently," Tyr replied. "I am also aware that you left the planet." He took a disc out of his pocket and tossed it to Tamerlane.

"Either you can tell me where you went or the tracking device on the ship will tell me where you went," Tyr pointed to the disc Tamerlane held in his hand.

"I went to Kintau Drift," Tamerlane replied as he flipped the disc back to Tyr. "I was there precisely twenty-eight minutes then I returned here."

"I hope for the amount of money you took from my account there that you at least had her checked for diseases before bringing her to our home and your bed," Tyr leaned back and looked at his son.

"And I have told you I did not bring a whore here," Tamerlane replied again. He could see Tyr's jaw clench but his father always played with semantics.

Tyr saw Tamerlane's gaze flicker to the alcove behind him just as Tyr heard movement there.

"You didn't?" Tyr laughed heartily. He couldn't believe Tamerlane had the nerve to lie to him with her still on the planet.
"I work in a boardroom not a brothel," Beka's amused voice floated through the air. "And I may be a bitch at times, but I am no one's whore."

Tamerlane saw the look of shock cross Tyr's face when he heard Beka's voice. Tyr's head turned slowly in the direction of the bedroom alcove. Tamerlane got to his feet as Tyr began to rise.

"Hello Tyr," Beka said uncertainly as she ventured from the alcove. Tamerlane watched in silence as Tyr moved slowly toward Beka. She in turn moved slowly toward him.

"Beka?" Tyr's voice had a hint of incredulousness as he looked at her standing in his home.

"How have you been?" Beka asked as she ran her hand slowly up his chest, up his neck and caressed his jaw. Tamerlane felt a little prick of jealousy as the ease with which she touched Tyr.

"I am well," Tyr replied as he took her hand in his. He gently kissed the inside of her wrist.

The two stood for what seemed like an eternity to Tamerlane, looking at one another. There was something there that Tamerlane could not fathom. He felt the surprise course through him when Tyr thumped his fist over his heart and the opened his hand to Beka. Beka smiled faintly as she returned the gesture. It was a gesture that Tyr shared with no one but Tamerlane. He had never seen Tyr share it with his other children, not his wives, not even Medea Cymri.

"Tamerlane," Tyr voice broke through the silence.

"What?" Tamerlane replied with a hint of annoyance. He was suddenly very uncertain of his plan to have Beka here.

"There are supplies on the ship," Tyr replied without looking at his son. Tamerlane didn't move as Beka and Tyr continued standing together across the room. No words were being spoken but Tamerlane was sure that something was being communicated.

"Get them," Tyr instructed as he turned to look at his son. The expression in Tyr's eyes was one that Tamerlane had never experienced before. It was suspicious and questioning and hostile.