"Then this guy, Daniel Stern, showed up. He started grabbing influence with both hands. Smart young guy. Killed off a prime minister--we think--and a king. Can't prove any of that, though." Kent shook his head. "Don't think we didn't try to stop him, once we realized what he was up to. We did. About that time, a whole lot of us did get together and organize. But he's one of those people. If he tells a man to go out and shoot himself, the next thing you hear is the sound of a falling body." His eyes clouded and he looked searchingly at Don. "You should know what I mean. Like when you told that Ghar thief to tell us all about it--remember?" "Look, Dad, that's something I'd like to know...." Kent Michaels waved a hand. "So would I. But I know less about it than you do, so it's no use. All I know is that some people can tell most anyone to do almost anything--and it gets done. As I said, Stern seems to be one of them." He shrugged. "Anyway, we lost a lot of good colonists before we decided to sit back and wait this boy out. "It's been a long wait. Some of us have gotten rich in the meantime, in spite of Stern's trick taxes. Some of us have had a pretty rough time, I guess. But we're all growing older, and Stern's pretty cagey about immigration. Doubt if many guardsmen are getting in these days. We're going to have to depend on our kids, I think." Don leaned forward. "In other words, I could have kicked over an applecart?" "Well, let's say you might have bent an axle on your own pretty, blue wagon. It's a good thing Masterson was there when you blew up. Anyone else, and I might have come up short one son. I wouldn't like that too well. Might make me go down to Oreladar and try a little target practice." He frowned thoughtfully. "You know, come to think of it, no one ever made me do anything I didn't want to do." Don looked thoughtful. "What do I do now?" "Just what you said. Start working for your keep. If I get the news right, the waiting period is about over. Stern's finally dipped his toe in the water, with that business over Waern, and we might be able to do something. You just might get your teeth into it. And maybe I'll find myself going back to work. "First, you'll have to go back to Riandar. Apologize to Masterson, of course, and give him a peace offering. I'll give you a bottle of Diamond Brandy before you leave. Be sure you hold the diamond in front of him when you stick the bottle out. Otherwise, he might throw something. He'll take it from there." The older man grinned. "And if I remember Andy Masterson, he'll come up with enough work to keep you busy." * * * * * Andrew Masterson frowned at the bottle held before him. "What's this?" he inquired. "You know better than to bring stuff like this on the grounds." Don Michaels shrugged. "Dad said there wasn't too much of it around any more. Thought you might like some."