“But right now, Dreng, we take care of Capo Doccia and his hoodlums. My good friend did iy)t believe in revenge, so I cannot either. So we shall call it simple justice. Those criminals need straightening out. But how shall we do it?” “I can help, master. I can fight now. I was afraid, then I got angry and I used the ax. I am ready to be a warrior like you.” I shook my head at him. I was thinking more clearly now. “This is no job for a farmer with a future. But you must always remember that you faced your fear and won. That will do you well for the rest of your life. But Jim diGriz pays his debts-so you are going back to the farm. how many groats does a farm cost?” He gaped at that one and shuffled through his memory. “I never bought a farm.” “I’m sure of that. But somebody must have that you know.” “Old Kvetchy came back from the wars and paid Widow Roslair two-hundred and twelve groats for her share of her farm.” “Great. Allowing for inflation five-hundred should see you clear. Stick with me, kid, and you’ll be wearing plowshares. Now get to the kitchen and pack up some food while I put part one of the plan into operation.” It was like a chess game that you played in your head. I could see the opening moves quite clearly, all laid out. If they were played correctly, middle game and endgame would follow with an inevitable win. I made the first move.

Capo Dimonte was slumped on his throne, red-eyed and as tired as the rest of us, a flagon of wine in his hand. I pushed through his officers and stood before him. He scowled at me and flapped his hand.

“Away, soldier. You’ll get your bonus. You did your work well today, I saw that. But leave us, I have plans to make....” “That is why lam here, capo. To tell you how to defeat Capo Doccia. I was in his service and know his secrets.” “Speak!” “In private. Send the others away.” He considered a moment-then waved his hands. They left, grumbling, and he sipped his wine until the door slammed shut.

“What do you know,” he ordered. “Speak quickly for I am in a foul humor. “ “As are we all. What I wanted to tell you in private does not concern Doccia-yet. You will attack, I am sure of that. But in order to assure success I am going to enlist Capo Dinobli and his secrets on your side. Wouldn’t the attack be more better if they were all asleep when we came over the wall.” “Dinobli knows no more of these matters than I do-so don’t lie to me. He is tottering and has been bedridden for a year.” “I know that,” I liedwith conviction. “But it is those who use his keep for their own ends, who cause the Black Monks to make war on them, these are the ones who will help you.” He sat up at this and there was more than a glint of the old schemer in his eyes. “Go to them then. Promise them a share of the spoils-and you will share as well if you can do this. Go in my name and promise what you will. Before this month is out Doccia’s head will be roasting on a spit over my fire, his body will be torn by red-hot spikes and...” There was more like this but I wasn’t too interested. This was a pawn move in the opening. I now had to bring a major piece forward to the attack. I bowed myself out, leaving him muttering on the throne, splashing wine around as he waved his arms. These people had very quick tempers.

Dreng had packed our few belongings and we left at once. I led the way until we were weH clear of the keep, then turned off towards a stream that ran close by. It had a grassy field at its bank and I pointed towards it.

“We stay here until morning. I have plans to make and we need the rest. I want to be sharp when I knock on old Dinobli’s door.” With a night’s rest to refresh my brain everything became quite clear. “Dreng,” I said, “this will have to be a one-man operation. I don’t know what kind of reception I will get and I maybe busy enough worrying about myself, without having you to care for. Back to the keep and wait for me.” There was really no door to knock on, just two heavily armed guards at the gate. I came down through the field, past the mounds of junked machines already smeared with a red patina of rust, and crossed the drawbridge. I stopped before I reached the guards and carefully kept my gun lowered.

“I have an important message for the one in charge here.” “Turn about and quick march,” the taller guard said, pointing his gun at me. “Capo Dinobli sees no one. “ “It’s not the capo I care about,” I said, looking past him into the courtyard. A tall man in rough clothes was passing. But beneath the ragged cufis of his trousers I saw the gleam of plasteel boots.

“I wish the capo only good health,” I called out loudly. “So I hope that he is seeing a good gereontologist and takes his synapsilstims regularly.” The guard growled in puzzlement at this-but my words were not for his edification. The man I was looking at in the courtyard stopped suddenly, still. Then slowly turned about. I saw keen blue eyes in a long face. Staring at me in silence. Then he came forward and talked to the guardthough still looking at me. “What is the disturbance?” “Nothing, your honor. Just sending this one on his way.” “Let him in. I want to question him.” The pointed gun was raised in salute and I marched through the gate. When we were out of earshot of the gate the tall man turned to face me, looking me up and down with frank curiosity.

“Follow me,” he said. “I want to talk with you In private. “ He did not speak until we were in the keep and inside a room with the door closed behind us. “Who are you?” he asked.

“You know-1 was about to ask you the very same question. Does the League know what you are doing here?” “Of course they do! This is a legitimate...” He caught himself, then smiled. “At least that proves you’re from ofiplanet. No one can think that fast here-or knows what you know. Here, sit, then tell me who you are. After that I will judge how much I can tell you of our work.” “Fair enough,” I said, dropping into the chair and lying my gun on the floor. “My name is Jim. I was a crewman on a Venian freighter-until I got into difficulties with the captain. He dumped me on this planet. That is all there is to it.” He pulled up a pad and began to make notes. “Your name is Jim. Your last name is .. ."I was silent. He scowled. “All right, let that go for the moment. What is the captain’s name.” “I think that I will save that information for later. After you have told me who you are.” He pushed the pad aside and sat back in his chair. “I’m not satisfied. Without your identity I can tell you nothing. Where do you come from on Venia? What is the capital city of your planet, the name of the chairman of the global consul?” “It’s been a long time, I forgot.” “You are lying. You are no more Venian than I am, Until I know more...” “What exactly do you have to know? I am a citizen of the League, not one of the dismal natives here. I watch tri-D, eat at Macswineys-a branch on every known world, forty-two billion sold-1 studied molecular electronics, and have a black Belt in Judo. Does that satisfy you?” “Perhaps. But you told me that you were dumped on this planet from a Venian freighter, which cannot be true. All unapproved contact with Spiovente is forbidden.” “My contact was unapproved. The ship was smuggling in guns like this one.” That got his attention all right. He grabbed the pad. “The captain’s name is...” I shook my head in a silent no. “You’ll have that information only if you arrange to get me off this planet. You can do that because you as much as told me you were here with League approval. So let us do a little trading. You arrange for my ticket-1 have plenty of silver groats to pay for it.” Or I would have, which was the same thing. “You will also give me some small help in a local matter-then I’ll tell you the captain’s name.” He didn’t like this. He thought hard and wriggled on the hook, but could not get off it.

“While you are making your mind up,” I said, “you might tell me who you are and what you are doing here.” “You must promise not to reveal our identity to the natives. Our presence is well-known ofiplanet, but we can only succeed here tf our operation remains covert. “ “I promise, I promise. I owe nothing to any of the locals.” He steepled his fingers and leaned back as though beginning a lecture. I had guessed right-as his first words revealed.