Ah. There it was. That was what Ryn believed to be the real Daemyn Taraias. Ryn stared passively up at him, not rising to the bait.
"I have no claim," she said, simply. "Even if I had been born a man, my odds would be little better. In TÃrna the heir is chosen on ability, rather than birthright, but even there I would have no chance of succession. Your mother would have to claim me as her own, and this she would certainly never do, and I wouldn't dishonor the memory of my mother to accept such a thing. I have never been given so much as a copper penny from your father, nor have I ever asked. When I came of age, he found me a job, sent me to Arcadie, and I was grateful for his intervention - though even that I did not ask for. I will never ask him for anything. I need nothing. I have done well for myself without his help, and I would have it no other way."