Proceeding to a pair of doors on her right, Alota led them into a vast auditorium, beautifully scened of wall and softly glowing of vaulted ceiling. There was a tremendous black banquet table, its center gleaming and bare. Beside ornate black chairs down each side, hundreds of beautiful princesses stood expectantly. At the far end of the table was a great stage, its black curtain hanging in huge folds. An enchanting perfume filled the air. Toka sauntered to the quintet of white chairs at the head of the table. Each chair back bore a small but perfect likeness of the member of the "divine" party who was to sit in it. "Aren't there any men in this palace?" Elees wondered lowly. "Maybe the whole place is a harem," Rok posed puckishly, "just waiting for Toka." Toka was aware of Roya instantly stiffening. Comparing her sunny blonde and creamy-tan loveliness with the titian and milk-white beauty of the Kosanna princesses, Toka failed to see why Roya should be irritated. Alota raised her wand. At once the curtain on the distant stage rustled aside to reveal a choir of sheerly gowned princesses who began a low choraling. With a swaying of diaphanous gown, the choir parted and a line of graceful girls danced out, bearing large trays. "Brother!" Rok gaped. Toka felt the warmth creeping into his face. If those dancing girls wore more than silver gilt it was not discernible. And straight down to Toka the creatures danced. After passing each tray before him, as if for benediction, the girls danced away right and left, serving first the rest of Toka's party and then the princesses down each side of the table. As the exotic banquet progressed, a thought occurred to Toka. "O Princess Alota." "As Great Prince Toka wishes." "Are here gathered all my ones of my palace?" "As Great Prince Toka knows all, so he knows that tomorrow he shall meet the Council Of Kosanna's Old Ones." "So," Roya mocked quietly, "the big brains aren't dining with us after all!" "They'd probably pop an old blood vessel at sight of these dancing girls!" Elees mused sardonically. * * * * * As his party was escorted down the Hall Of Life, Toka was only mildly surprised at the newest scene--of the banquet from beginning to end. Escorted into the lounge room, Toka and party watched the great doors swing shut. Elees yawned. "At least we seem to have _some_ privacy." Roya was drowsy. "Is it getting dark or am I just sleepy?" "Hey," Rok affirmed lazily, "the ceilings are dimming." Old Ledo now yawned. "Even have night and day in this crazy cave." "Let's go to bed," Elees urged from her lethargy. Old Ledo yawned again. "I guess they won't bother us." "After all," Toka reasoned lazily, "why wear ourselves out tonight when we're going to meet those Old Ones tomorrow anyway?" Rok yawned. "Sure! Let's grab some sleep." Roya and Elees pulled down the silkily rustling covers of their beds.