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Majesty, but first I beg your indulgence. I must take
disciplinary action against one of your guard. I am sorry Your
Majesty is forced to witness such an unpleasant proceeding, but the
matter cannot be delayed. Discipline must be maintained. Agis, stand
forward."
    The captain of
the Honor Guard, eyes facing front, stepped to the viewscreen, fist
over his heart in salute.
    "Captain,
repeat to me your orders regarding any person who approaches His
Majesty."
    The Warlord's
gaze was, ostensibly, on his unfortunate captain, but Sagan's
eyes—Aks saw—were in feet watching the vidscreen that
showed him the face of the king, a face that had gone extremely rigid
and pale.
    "My lord,"
answered the captain, standing at attention, "my orders are to
prevent said person from coming anywhere near His Majesty."
    "And yet,
this very day, a person was able not only to come near His Majesty
but to detain His Majesty in conversation. Is that true, Captain?"
    "Yes, my
lord." The cords in the man's neck stood out like iron rods.
    "You were
derelict in your duty, Captain."
    "Yes, my
lord."
    "What is
your excuse, Captain?"
    "I have
none to give, my lord."
    "Captain
Agis did his duty. He attempted to prevent the young woman from
speaking to me." Dion's clear voice rang out like a silver bell
commanded him to let her approach."
    Sagan bowed. "It
is good of Your Majesty to try to defend this officer. Nevertheless,
Agis had his orders."
    "Yes, Lord
Sagan," returned Dion, "and his orders came from his king."
    Aks could have
sworn he heard the clash of steel. He saw them toe-to-toe, pushing
against each other, neither prepared to give ground. Suddenly,
unexpectedly, die Warlord broke free, fell back a pace.
    "Captain,
you are fortunate that His Majesty, in his gracious magnanimity, has
intervened in your behalf. No disciplinary action will be taken
against you this time. I advise, Captain, that you do not fail His
Majesty again."
    "No, my
lord. Thank you, my lord."
    "Do not
thank me, Captain. Thank your king."
    No blade of
ordinary steel could possibly attain the sharp cutting edge of the
Warlord's tone. The blade's point was not held to the guard's throat,
however, but to Dion's. Sagan had a high regard for his officer, he
knew perfectly well the circumstances under which Agis had acted, for
he had watched it all on his own private monitor from cams concealed
at various locations, including one in the captain's breastplate and
another in the lion pin worn on the king's own breast.
    Dion had managed
to deflect the first attack. He was not about to let down his guard,
however. His adversary had seemed to weaken perhaps, only to draw him
into a foolish move.
    "Your
Majesty, certain matters have arisen that require your immediate
attention. With your permission, I will make arrangements with the
commander of your vessel to transport you back to Phoenix. I
respectfully advise that you should leave within the hour."
    Dion frowned.
"My Lord Sagan, I have appointments, commitments."
    "Begging
Your Majesty's pardon, but I have taken the liberty of canceling your
appointments and commitments. The matter is extremely urgent."
    Dion's face
flushed, the blue eyes flared. He retained control of himself,
however. "I will speak to you in private, my lord."
    His image
disappeared momentarily from the screen. Aks made an oblique,
peremptory gesture with his hand and every man whose duties did not
absolutely require him to be on the bridge left in discreet and
thankful haste. Dion returned, alone. Flame-red hair, flame-blue
eyes, the light of his being was almost blinding, causing Aks to
avert his gaze, as if he stared into a sun. But the glow reflected
off die Warlord, was unable to penetrate the shadowed darkness.
    "I'm the one being disciplined. Is that it, my lord?" Dion demanded.
    The Warlord did
not respond.
    "I could
have healed that young woman!" Dion persisted, angered at
Sagan's silence. "I know it! I felt it inside me, the—the
energy. You