The First Lord's face darkened at the insult. He laid a hand on the hilt of his ornate sword, but the Valkyr's eyes remained insolent. The huge Nevitta stirred, measuring the Pleiadene Janizaries at the door, ready for trouble. But Landor had no stomach for swordplay--particularly with as young and supple a fighter as the Warlord of Valkyr. His own ready tongue was a better weapon than steel. With an effort, he forced himself to smile. It was a cold smile, pregnant with subtle danger. "Harsh words, Valkyr. And unwise. I shall not forget them. I doubt that you will be able to see His Majesty, since I do not believe the tribulations of a planet of savages would concern him. You waste your time here. If you have other business, you had better be about it." It was Kieron's turn to feel the hot goad of anger. "Are those Toran's words or Ivane's dancing master?" "The Consort Ivane, of course, agrees. If your people cannot pay their taxes, let them sell a few of their brats into service," Landor said smoothly. The die was cast, then, thought Kieron furiously. All hope for an adjustment from Toran was gone and only one course lay open to him now. "Nevitta! See that our men and horses are loaded tonight and the ships made ready for space!" Nevitta saluted and turned to go. He paused, looked insolently at the First Lord, and deliberately spat on the floor. Then he was gone, his spurs ringing metallically as he disappeared through the high curving archway. "Savage," muttered Landor. "Savage enough to be loyal and worthy of any trust," said Kieron; "but you would know nothing of that." Landor ignored the thrust. "Where do you go now, Valkyr?" "Off-world." "Of course," Landor smiled thinly, his eyebrows arching over pale, shrewd eyes. "Off-world." Kieron felt a stab of suspicion. How much did Landor know? Had his spies pierced Freka the Unknown's counter-espionage cordon and brought word of the star-kings gathering on Kalgan? "It cannot concern you where I go now, Landor," said Kieron grimly. "You've won here. But...." Kieron stepped a pace nearer the resplendent favorite. "Warn your tax-gatherers to go armed when they land on Valkyr. Well armed, Landor." Kieron turned on his heel and strode out of the antechamber, his booted heels staccato on the flagstones, silver cape flaunting like a proud banner. II Past the tall arch of the Emperor's antechamber lay the Hall of the Thousand Emperors. Kieron strode through it, the flickering flames of the wall-sconces casting long shadows out behind him--shadows that danced and whirled on the tapestried walls and touched the composed faces of the great men of Earth.