"Prince of Meara?" Camber asked, "I thought your father held that title?"

"Well I guess grandfather felt that someone should have that title in absentia in order to keep it out of unwelcome hands," Kelson said absently as he scanned the letter and turned the letter to look at the back.

"What are you looking for?" Camber said, noticing that Kelson seemed to be looking for something in particular.

"Something that is not here and should be," Kelson said looking up at his uncle, "Grandfather's signature."

Camber scanned the letter as well.

"That's odd," Camber said, "one would think my brother, your father, would ask permission from your grandfather first before sending this letter."

"Well it doesn't look like he got it," Kelson said looking up at his uncle.

Both men were quiet for several seconds.

"Is there something I should know about, Uncle?" Kelson finally asked, break ing the silence.

"Such as.?"

"Well the only way that I can think, is if Grandfather abdicated in favor of my father."

A blank look crossed Camber's face, "He hasn't abdicated as far as I know. Of course, like I said, I haven't really been in with the family lately. I mean, I've heard rumors that he's been excluded from important meetings, but beyond that I've heard nothing."

"Have you tried to talk to grandfather, or write him?"

"Yes, I've tried hundreds of times to call him, and usually I get 'he's too busy'. And when I write to him, it gets returned to me unopened."

"Sounds like somebody is trying to keep familial contact to a minimum," Kelson said, "I wonder who?"

"Probably the family's advisors. From what I understand, they keep a tight reign on the family's goings on."

"They probably screen all family calls and mail," Kelson said.

"That sounds about right, I think," Camber said.

"Gee, I can't wait to read the other letter, they probably dictated it to my mother."

Looking for the other letter on the desk, Kelson saw that Ming had positioned herself right on top of it. Gently sliding it from underneath her, he opened the envelope from his mother.