"Let it go!" Toka ordered edgily. _He'd gotten what he'd paid for._ The canoe shot into the full light of Kosanna and closed to the wharf. Toka led his party ashore. The joyous choraling filled the air and trembled the stone underfoot. Flanked by the impassive Old Ones, Kolano stepped forward. "We hail Great Prince Toka's triumphant return!" Flinging her arms around Toka's neck, she searched her eager lips for his. Toka thrust free. "These others may now return to the Outer World?" "In that very canoe," Kolano assured freely. Rok was loyal. "I'll stay." "Double it," Old Ledo added. Elees glanced to Roya. Toka spared them. "Thanks. But Kolano and I shall make out all right." Toka watched Roya and his friends paddle away into that up-stream cavern. Rok, Old Ledo and Elees glanced back and waved. Roya only faced straight ahead. The canoe turned the bend and was gone. Shrugging hopelessly, Toka turned away. Thirteen ornate palanquins awaited. Toka joined Kolano in the double one. The Old Ones sat into the others. As the procession moved through Kosanna, Toka drilled his gaze into Kolano's silvery eyes. "My vow is not binding unless your promise is fulfilled." "Toka has no cause for suspicion--as he shall see." The great square was near now. Toka narrowly eyed Kolano. "Why didn't Kosanna migrate to the Outer World to escape tribute to Ophid?" "Kosannans," Kolano educated, "would perish instantly in the elements of the Outer World." "If you and the Old Ones are so capable," Toka mocked, "why wasn't a spell cast over Ophid and his realm?" "The present Old Ones are the greatest mentalities Kosanna ever had--but they have their limitations." The palanquins were born to the foot of the altar, and Kolano bid softly, "I shall rejoin you soon, Toka." She led the Old Ones for the door between the feet of the colossal statue. Going down the Hall Of Life, Toka noted the scene of his marriage to Kolano had been added to the continuity; his expedition to Ophid and his deeds there; his return to Kosanna; and Roya and the others departing for the Outer World. Yet a good length of the Hall remained bare. Alota did not lead to his rooms at the end of the Hall, but stopped before a pair of unscened panels on the left. Caring little, Toka sauntered in. There was this luxurious lounge room. Then, through a door scened with entwined hearts and embracing lovers, there was a teasingly scented boudoir. V _From out of the darkness, thirteen pairs of silvery eyes stared at the Sphere Of All Time. The air was cold and sang with a thin thrumming. The Sphere shone with a pale cold light--the scene was the pit of Ophid...._ _From a crevice in a massive stalagmite, a giant Dragon Man was emerging warily. He wore a spiked collar studded with flashing jewels. Slipping away through the haze, he tugged the first door bracing loose and his fellows poured forth in an angry stream...._