The body turned, strode to a doorway, emerged into a gloomy violet-shadowed corridor. The glance flicked from the face of one guard to another. They stared in open-mouthed surprise, brought weapons up. "You dare to bar the path to the Lord Ammaerln?" My voice slashed at the men. "Stand aside, as you value your lives." And the body pushed past them, strode off along the corridor. It passed through a great archway, descended a flight of marble stairs, came along a hall I had seen on my tour of the Palace of Sapphires and into the Onyx Chamber with the great golden sunburst that covered the high black wall. In the Great Owner's chair at the ringboard Ommodurad sat scowling at the lame courtier whose red hair was hidden now under a black cowl. Between them Foster stood, the heavy manacles dragging at his wrists. Ommodurad turned; his face paled, then flushed dark rose, teeth bared. The gaze of my eye fixed on Foster. Foster stared back, a look of incredulity growing on his face. "My Lord Rthr," my voice said. The eye swept down and fixed on the manacles. The body drew back a step, as if in horror. "You overreach yourself, Ommodurad!" my voice cried harshly. Ommodurad stepped toward me, his immense arm raised. "Lay not a hand on me, dog of a usurper!" my voice roared out. "By the Gods, would you take me for common clay!" And, unbelievably, Ommodurad paused, stared in my face. "I know you as the upstart Drgon, petty Owner," he rumbled. "But I trow I see another there behind your pale eyes." "Foul was the crime that brought me to this pass," my voice said. "But ... know that your master, Ammaerln, stands before you, in the body of a primitive!" "Ammaerln...!" Ommodurad jerked as though he had been struck. My body turned, dismissing him. The eye rested on Foster. "My liege," my voice said unctuously. "I swear the dog dies for this treason--" "It is a mindless one, intruder," Ommodurad broke in. "Seek no favor with the Rthr, for he that was Rthr is no more. You deal with me now." My body whirled on Ommodurad. "Give a thought to your tone, lest your ambitions prove your death!" * * * * * Ommodurad put a hand to his dagger. "Ammaerln of Bros-Ilyond you may be, or a changeling from dark regions I know not of. But know that this day I hold all power in Vallon." "And what of this one who was once Qulqlan? What consort do you hold with him you say is mindless?" I saw my hand sweep out in a contemptuous gesture at Foster. "An end to patience!" the Great Owner roared. He started toward my body. "Does the fool, Ommodurad, forget the power of the great Ammaerln?" my voice said softly. And the towering figure hesitated once more, searching my face. "The Rthr's hour is past ... and so is yours, bungler and fool. Your self-delusion is ended." My voice rose in a bellow: "Know that I ... Ammaerln, the great ... have returned to rule at High Okk-Hamiloth...."