Late Monday night in Brynie, Fin and Karanthir’s room …

KARANTHIR:

Brynie, turn off that light. I’m trying to sleep

FIN:

It’s Fin, and isn’t it a little early for you to be in bed?

KARANTHIR:

For your information, I’m napping now so I can meet Es when she 

gets off work. Now would you be kind enough to get out of here.

FIN:

In a minute. We have a guest staying with us

and I want to make sure things are in order.

KARANTHIR:

Dear brother, do you mean to tell me that the

lovely Daprima is spending the evening in here?

FIN:

Don’t be ridiculous. Vanni’s back and he’s

brought Syrrah’s younger brother with him. Now

make yourself presentable so you can meet him.

BRYNIE:

Karanthir, did Fin tell you the good news? Zyfan is taking 

me to visit Orrie and Grandmother and Grandfather. 

I even get to ride on a griffin! Isn’t that awesome?

KARANTHIR:

If it means I'll be rid of you for a few days - it certainly is. 

FIN:

Karanthir,  put your pants on. Don't say or do anything to embarrass us. 

This is Syrrah's brother, a prince, remember that.

KARANTHIR:

How absurd is this? Getting dressed to meet some royal child 

only to get undressed to go back to bed.

FIN:

Brynie, where's Zyfan?

BRYNIE:

Getting washed up. We’re gonna make an early start in the morning.

I’m so excited! I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep all night.

FIN:

Do me a favor and get an extra pillow from the hall closet.

BRYNIE:

Sure thing. Be right back.

KARANTHIR:

I can't believe you invited this Zyfan to stay in here.

The last thing we need is another ‘little brother’ in our room.

FIN:

It's only for one night. He can have my bed and I’ll sleep with you.

KARANTHIR:

I hate to disagree with you dear brother, but I don’t want to sleep with 

you. What if my hand wanders, or the very presence of your warm body 

awakens my one-eyed snake? That would simply be too weird.

FIN:

We’re sharing a bed and that's final. So keep your hands 

and everything else to yourself.

KARANTHIR:

Honestly, I can’t make any guarantees. What's taking so long?

I need to get back to my nap. All this waiting around may sabotage

my evening with Es and all because Syrrah’s little bro ….

KARANTHIR:

... Hello there.

ZYFAN:

Greetings. I am Zyfan. I want to thank you for sharing your room with me.

KARANTHIR:

It’s my pleasure, truly. Do come in and make yourself right at home.

ZYFAN:

It is a pleasure to meet you.

KARANTHIR:

I’m sure, and I have high hopes for more ... pleasure.

FIN:

Down Karanthir. Zyfan, you can sleep there.

KARANTHIR:
whispering

We're in trouble dear brother, I fear my one-eyed snake is awakening.

FIN:

Take a  cold shower.

KARANTHIR:

That’s cruel, Fin.

BRYNIE:

Here Zyfan, I brought you an extra pillow. Did you meet Karanthir? Has he said anything stupid yet? Don’t let him get to you, he can be a real pain sometimes.

KARANTHIR:

Why you little monster!

FIN:

Hey - let's try to get along, just for tonight, OK?

BRYNIE:

Sure Fin. Sorry Karanthir.

KARANTHIR:

Really? My, what an incredibly quick courtship. Do you 

think perhaps that the gracious Syrrah found herself knocked 

up by our Vanni? Hence the speedy wedding.

FIN:

I can't believe you just said that.

KARANTHIR:

And why not? It could happen. Do you mean

to tell me that you haven't thought of it yourself?

FIN:

It never occurred to me.

BRYNIE:

Knocked up? That's a funny thing to say.

What does it mean?

FIN:

Never mind Brynie, and get off Zyfan's bed.

BRYNIE:

Oh sorry, guess I'm just excited about the trip.

ZYFAN:

That is alright Brynie, but we must get our rest. The next few

nights we shall be sleeping on the hard, cold ground. It would be 

wise for you to enjoy your comfortable bed, while you can.

BRYNIE:

I hadn’t thought of that.

KARANTHIR:

You know Fin, I’ve reconsidered these sleeping arrangements 

of yours, and I have a better idea.

FIN:

No.

KARANTHIR:

What do you mean no. You haven’t even heard what I’m about to say.

KARANTHIR:

… Honestly dear brother, I see no reason for you to sacrifice your bed 

tonight. Wouldn’t we all be happier if Zyfan shared mine, with me?

ZYFAN:

If that is more convenient for you, I do not mind. I can sleep anywhere.

KARANTHIR:

See Fin, he doesn’t mind.

FIN:

I said no. Now - what are you waiting for? Get in.

KARANTHIR:
You honestly don’t expect me to sleep up against the wall, do you?

I’ll be trapped. You do have nerve, dear brother, inviting yourself into

my bed and then telling me which side I’m to sleep on.

FIN:

sigh
Fine. Please get in the bed.

KARANTHIR:

Alright, but only because you used the magic word.

KARANTHIR:

… Oh this simply won’t do. I'm meeting Es later. How do you expect me to get out of here? Am I supposed to climb over you?

FIN:

Just wake me up.

KARANTHIR:

That would be positively rude.

Why don’t we just switch sides?

FIN:

You know why. Now go to sleep.

BRYNIE:

Yeah Karanthir, go to sleep.

ZYFAN:

I am so sorry to have caused such friction between you.

BRYNIE:

It's not your fault Zyfan. They do this all the time.

I told you Karanthir can be a real pain.

KARANTHIR:

Fin did you hear that?  So it’s OK for the little rodent

to insult me but when I retaliate - you’re all over me.

FIN:

Go to sleep or get out of here.

KARANTHIR:

My, you’re awefully cranky tonight. Perhaps the lovely

Daprima hasn’t been all that … available to you lately?

FIN:

Are you purposely trying to tic me off?

BRYNIE:

How can Daprima not be available? She’s right

down the hall. She’s available everyday, isn’t she?

KARANTHIR:

Hahaha - Fin should be so lucky.

FIN:

Don't you start in on me too.

KARANTHIR:

I feel the need to clear something up. Brynie - by available

I meant - willing to have sex, with Fin.

FIN:

How many times have I asked you to

let me handle Brynie's questions?

BRYNIE:

But Fin, you never tell me anything. 

Do you really get cranky if you don't have sex?

KARANTHIR:

Obviously, why just look at poor Fin. I should think it's been a while.

FIN:

It has not and I’m not cranky, I’m tired.  Brynie, you already 

know more than you should, thanks to him.

KARANTHIR:

I resent that. Just because you're don't like to speak openly 

about sex, doesn't mean that I’m opposed to it.

ZYFAN:

Forgive me for interrupting, but it seems to me that this is a private 

conversation. Perhaps it would be best if I left the room?

FIN:

See what you’ve done, you’ve made Zyfan uncomfortable.

KARANTHIR:

Have I? Zyfan, you're not uncomfortable, are you? I mean, we're not talking 

about sex, but the lack of it. Although someone as blessed with your good looks

has probably never suffered from the crankiness that poor Fin is dealing with ...

FIN:

You don't know when to quit do you?

KARANTHIR:

I haven't said anything that isn't true. Don't you agree Zyfan?

ZYFAN:

Um ... I am unsure. What was the question?

KARANTHIR:

Sex Zyfan, we’re speaking of sex and ...

FIN:

Shut up. This discussionis over. Everyone go to sleep.

KARANTHIR:

Fine. You can deny it all you want dear brother, but you’re cranky.

FIN:

Good night Karanthir.

KARANTHIR:
'Night. Oh and Fin, since it's been a while for you -

I'll thank you to keep your hands to yourself.

FIN:

You always have to have the last word, don't you?

KARANTHIR:

What kind of question is that? If I answer you, it'll prove you right, and if I 

don't, there's this question dangling over me, waiting for a reply. 

How will I ever sleep with it just lingering up there?