Fear and rage tore through Toka. Yet even with the tremendous strength that came surging from his depths he could not move or speak! The Sphere Of All Time dulled. The taut thrumming and chill faded. The blackness changed swiftly to golden light. Kolano and the Old Ones centered their silvery eyes on Toka. The spell dropped from him. * * * * * Toka whirled to leave--but in that instant he could not move! The Old Ones' silvery eyes on him, Toka heard Kolano's contralto echo in the vast court. "As divinely ordained, Great Prince Toka shall listen." Though he strained mightily, he could not do otherwise. "When the Dragon Women bore only males and so became extinct," Kolano's contralto echoed calmly, "the men of Ophid exacted tribute from Kosanna. Yet Kosanna girls gave birth only to Dragon Men. Thus, even though Kosanna grows ever less, ten girls still are sacrificed each night--lest Ophid come and destroy all Kosanna and take all our girls." Toka's voice was his to make an angry demand. "Why were Roya and Elees included last night!" Kolano smiled calmly. "As ordained by the Sphere Of All Time, Great Prince Toka must have that incentive to destroy Ophid." Toka blazed his request. "Then restore my fellow warriors and me at once--that we may attack Ophid!" "On one condition." If only he could regain his weapons! The sweat of fear was on him now. "What is your condition!" "Great Prince Toka must wed me first." The woman was mad! Toka rang out his instant decision. "I refuse!" Kolano shrugged. "Great Prince Toka is even now reconsidering--and seeing that certain things are ordained." Held immobile and bathed in a cold sweat, Toka found his swift mind reconsidering. Roya and Elees--about to be--He dare not think it--his reason would shatter to insanity! The sweat dripped into his eyes as he fought his voice from shaking. "I accept!" Kolano was smiling softly. "Great Prince Toka may now return to his rooms. The wedding shall then occur--after which Toka shall be given his weapons and sent to the realm of Ophid." The Old Ones' silvery eyes lessened their hypnotic intensity and Toka whirled for the opening doors. A gong was joyous somewhere outside. An exultant choraling was beginning. The high portals at the bottom of the spiral stairway swung in as Toka neared the last step. The cortege ran to escorting position as Toka raced down the Hall Of Life. He spared a glance for the latest art work--a portrayal of his recent experiences up in that domed court. Alota was flashing her wand to his doors. Toka was across the restored lounge room and into his bedroom--was shaking Rok violently, then Old Ledo. "Holy lizards!" Rok snapped. "What's wrong?" The distant gonging and choraling an affirming background, Toka tried to begin educating his friends. But the angry Rok leaped for the lounge room. "I'll murder every blasted Kosannan and dragon in my way!"