"It is a beautiful one, particularly near the Vader clanhome," Kelly said. "As the first clan formed after Overthrow, we took the Shapers' area--and they, of course, had chosen one of the best and most attractive parts of the planet." "The same was true at home," Medart said. "I visited there a couple of years after Annexation, not long after they were granted the patent I suggested they try for, on the saber's controlled-length blade." "What is a patent?" "The exclusive right to market something you've invented. On something as useful as a controlled-length laser beam, that's quite an advantage--last I heard, Clan Vader was one of the richest groups in the Empire. And probably the only one that amount of money didn't change much." "Why should it change?" Medart laughed. "No reason, really, but most people who suddenly get a lot of money do change." "In here--most people aren't Sandemans." Medart followed her into the dining area and to Ryan's table; when the Warleader gestured them to sit, they did so. "I took the liberty of ordering breakfast for both of you," he told them. "It should be here very shortly." "Thanks," Medart said. "And thanks for letting me keep my saber and gun, too. The gun I could replace if I ever get back; the saber's special." He paused, grinned. "Not that I'm any physical threat to a Sandeman, whether I'm armed or not. If I went for my gun, I'd be dead before I could get it halfway out of the holster." "True," Ryan agreed. "That sounds like you've seen it tried." "Close; I've demonstrated it. But I made sure the Sandeman was using a stun setting on his needler." Ryan chuckled. "I'm not sure I'd care to let myself be used as a target that way. You must have trusted that warrior implicitly." "No more or less than I trust any Sandeman," Medart said. "I've only known one who was capable of deliberate deception, and that was because his Intelligence field work for the Empire required it. Naturally, he was the best field agent we've had, though his successor as top agent came close." "Naturally," Kelly said. Whatever she was going to say next, though, was interrupted by the arrival of their breakfast; all three concentrated on eating. When they were done, they moved to a small lounge, and Ryan addressed Medart with an expression the Ranger couldn't quite identify. "I did not reveal my full rank yesterday, Highness; a foretelling spell said it would be in the clan's interest to use only my lesser one. Besides Warleader, I am the chief of Clan Vader." Medart nodded, grinning. "I know. I can read clan arms, and you either forgot or didn't bother to change yours. But if you wanted to claim a lesser rank, I couldn't see any harm in playing along." "My arms?" Ryan looked chagrined. "I never even thought of them--I did a lot at first, when I added the chief, but I've gotten so used to them since that I no longer really notice the difference."