"I'm a fast man with a pair of loaded dice myself. It's all done with mirrors. Let's stick to the point, noble Gope. How can I work into a spot with one of these big shots?" "Nothing easier. A Driver and Piper of such skills as your own can claim what place he chooses." "How about bodyguarding? Suppose I could take a heavy named Torbu; would that set me in better with a new Owner?" "Such is no place for a man of your abilities, good Drgon," Gope exclaimed. "True, 'tis a place most close to an Owner, but there is much danger in it. The challenge to a bodyguard involves the most bloody hand-to-hand combat, second only to the rigors of a challenge to an Owner himself." "What's that?" I snapped. "Challenge an Owner?" "Be calm, good Drgon," said Gope, staring at me incredulously. "No common man with his wits about him will challenge an Owner." "But I could if I wanted to?" "In sooth ... if you have tired of life--of all your lives; 'tis as good a way to end them as another. But you must know, good Drgon: an Owner is a warrior trained in the skills of battle. None less than another such may hope to prevail." I smacked my fist into my palm. "I should have thought of this sooner! The cooks cook for their places, the pipers pipe ... and the best man wins. It figures that the Owners would use the same system. But what's the procedure, noble Gope? How do you get your chance to prove who can own the best?" "It is a contest with naked steel. It is the measure and glory of an Owner that he alone stands ready to prove his quality against the peril of death itself." Gope drew himself up with pride. "What about the bodyguards?" I asked. "They fight--" "With their hands, good Drgon. And they lack skill with those. A death such as you described tonight--that is a rare and sorry accident." "It showed up this whole grubby farce in its true colors. A civilization like that of Vallon--reduced to this." "Still, it is sweet to live--by whatever rules----" "I don't believe that ... and neither do you. What Owner can I challenge? How do I go about it?" "Give up this course, good Drgon--" "Where's the nearest buddy of the Big Owner?" Gope threw up his hands. "Here, at Bar-Ponderone. Owner Qohey. But--" "And how do I call his bluff?" Gope put a hand on my shoulder. "It is no bluff, good Drgon. It is long now since last Owner Qohey stood to his blade to protect his place, but you may be sure he has lost none of his skill. Thus it was he won his way to Bar-Ponderone, while lesser knights, such as myself, contented themselves with meaner fiefs." "I'm not bluffing either, noble Gope," I said, stretching a point. "I was no harness-maker in the Good Time." "It is your death--" "Tell me how I offer the challenge ... or I'll twist his nose in the main banqueting salon tomorrow night." Gope sat down heavily, raised his hand, and let them fall. "If I tell you not, another will. But I will not soon find another Piper of your worth." CHAPTER XV