instead amira was introduced to half a dozen nobles , all of whom seemed to be eltasis descendants : his eldest son thervan , who was already old and gray ; thervans brother marin , who frowned and drummed his fingers impatiently ; lady nyera helgar , fortarins eldest daughter , with whom dardan had spoken on his first visit ; her son gennevan , who dardan knew from past encounters ; and a few others who seemed to be of lesser import .