"Certainly not!" declared Sir Kreim.

Gax spoke in irritation: "Sir Kreim, please allow me to formulate my own responses." He turned back to Duke Luhalcx. "We have survived the displeasure of the Ska for many years. Why should we not continue to do so?"

"You can assure this policy only while you live. Upon your death, Sir Kreim, should he become king, will attempt to extort treasure from us. Our easiest recourse is to pay, then recover this treasure by a levy upon all the folk of Xounges. I assure you that not one groat of Sir Kreim's fee will come from our own coffers."

"There would be no negotiations!" snapped Sir Kreim. "On this I am firm! But if there were, you would be forced to stipulate financial as well as physical amnesty for our entire population!"

King Gax spoke sharply: "Sir Kreim, I have heard enough of your interpolations! You may leave the room at once!"

Sir Kreim bowed and departed.

King Gax asked: "Suppose the next king for a fact continued my policies: what then?"

"I do not care to reveal all the details of our plans. Suffice it to say, we would feel that we must take Xounges by force."

"If this is so simple, why have you not done so before?"

Duke Luhalcx considered a moment, then said: "I will tell you this: we do not regard Xounges as impregnable. If we decide upon siege, then you will know a total blockade and full deprivation. Rain will be your only drink, and grass your only meat. If we were to take Xounges by force, and if a single precious Ska life were lost, every man, woman and child in Xounges would know the shackles of slavery."

King Gax made a flickering gesture of frail white fingers. "Go. I will consider my opportunities."

Duke Luhalcx bowed and the deputation departed.

A week later the Ska returned. Sir Kreim was again present, on condition that he maintain full silence, unless his opinions were solicited.

Duke Luhalcx presented his compliments to King Gax, and asked: "Your Highness, in connection with our proposal, have you reached a decision?'

Gax gave a hacking cough. "You are right in that my life is leaving me. I must choose my successor and soon, or I shall die with the deed undone."

"Whereupon Sir Kreim becomes king?"

"True. Unless I anoint him, or someone else, such as good Rohan here, before I die."

"The Ska preference, even over the excellent Rohan, is the Duke Ankhalcx. His nomination would ensure for Xounges the advantages of which I spoke."

"I will keep your recommendation in mind."

"When will you undertake the ceremony of coronation?"

"Soon. I have sent a courier to King Audry, asking his advice. A response should arrive before the week is out. Until then I will have nothing further to say."

"But you have not ruled out our candidate Duke Ankhalcx?"

"I have come to no firm decision. If King Audry instantly mobilizes a great army and marches west, naturally I will not throw open the gates to you."

"In any case, you will still wish to nominate and anoint your successor?"

Gax reflected a moment. "Yes."

"And when will this ceremony occur?"

Gax closed his eyes. "Seven days from today."

"You will give me no prior indication of your intentions?"

Gax spoke with his eyes closed. "Much depends upon the news from Avallon. In truth, I expect very little, and I will die a bitter death."

The Ska departed, tight-lipped and muttering among themselves.

III

THE TROICE WARSHIP TIED UP TO A DOCK in the Xounges harbor. Aillas disembarked with Tatzel, the captain and two others from the ship's crew.

The group passed under a raised portcullis, through a tunnel thirty feet long and out upon a narrow cobbled street which wound up to the market square. The facade of Jehaundel loomed opposite: a set of ponderous stone blocks, devoid of grace or delicacy. The group crossed the square, entered Jehaundel by the front portal, which was opened for them by a doorkeeper.

In an echoing stone foyer a footman came forward. "Sir, what is your business here?"

"I am a gentleman of South Ulfland and I request an audience with King Gax."

"Sir, King Gax is ill, and sees few persons, especially if their business is casual or inconsequential."

"My business is neither one nor the other."

The footman brought the High Chancellor from his office, who asked: "You are surely not another courier from Avallon?"

"No." Aillas took the official aside. "I am here on a matter of urgency. You must take me directly to King Gax."

"Ah, but that I am not allowed to do. What is your name and how is your business so urgent?"

"Mention my presence only to King Gax and in private.

Tell him that I am intimate with Sir Tristano of Troicinet, whom perhaps you yourself will remember."

"I do indeed! What name, then, shall I announce?"

"King Gax will want my name spoken to himself alone."

"Come this way, if you please."

The High Chancellor led them into the main gallery and indicated benches along the wall. "Please be seated. When the king is able to see you, Rohan the chamberlain will so inform you."

"Remember! Not a word to anyone but King Gax!"

Half an hour passed. Rohan the chamberlain appeared: a stocky short-legged person of mature years, with a few wisps of gray hair and an expression of chronic suspicion. He inspected the group with automatic distrust. He spoke to Aillas, who had risen to meet him. "The king has taken favorable notice of your message. He now confers with the Ska, but will speak with you shortly."

The conference in King Gax's bedchamber was short indeed. Sir Kreim, already on hand, stared sullenly into the fire. As soon as Dukes Luhalcx and Ankhalcx entered, King Gax indicated a blond young gentleman dressed in the flamboyant style of the court at Avallon.

"There is the Daut courier. Sir, read out King Audry's message once again, if you please."

The courier snapped open a scroll and read: " ‘To the attention of Gax, King of North Ulfland: Royal cousin, I send you my dearest regards! In the matter of the Ska brigands, I counsel that you fall on them tooth and nail and defend your great city for yet another brief period, until I can mitigate one or two carking local problems. Then together we will destroy this black-hearted human plague once and for all! Be of good cheer, and know of my hopes for your continued good health. I am the undersigned, Audry, King of Dahaut.'"

King Gax said: "That is my message from Audry. It is as I expected; he intends to do nothing."

Luhalcx, with a grim smile, nodded. "So then: what of my proposal?"

Unable to repress his fury, Sir Kreim called out: "I beg you, sir, make no commitments until we have conferred!"

Gax ignored him. To Luhalcx he said: "Put your proposal in the form of a written protocol, with your guarantees delineated in bold black ink. In three days will be the coronation."

"Of whom?"

"Bring me your solemn handwritten document."

Luhalcx and Ankhalcx bowed and left, the chamber. They descended the stairs and turned down the great gallery. To the side sat a group of five persons. A young woman in their midst cried out in a poignant voice: "Father! Do not pass me by!"

Tatzel jumped to her feet and would have run across the gallery had not Aillas caught her around the waist and pulled her back down upon the bench. "Girl, sit quiet and make no bother!"

Luhalcx stared incredulously from Tatzel to Aillas and back once more to Tatzel: "What are you doing here?"

Aillas spoke: "Address your remarks to me! The girl is my slave."

Luhalcx's jaw dropped in new bewilderment. "What idiocy is this? My man, you are mistaken! This is the Lady Tatzel, a Ska noblewoman; how can she be your slave?"

"By the usual process, which you of all people must know in every detail. In short, I captured her and subdued her to my will."