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allowed the agents of General Tran to approach him on Gonlan without ordering them arrested and delivered to the star king for judgment, the possibility of his own plans being engulfed in the larger battle had existed. But his pride made it impossible for him to admit fear or doubt. Now he replied to General Tran with characteristic arrogance.
    “You’ll find no one more realistic, as you put it, than I anywhere in the galaxy, my dear general. I know what I’m doing.”
    “I have no doubt you think so,” Tran said. “But I’m afraid I must begin to correct some of your more naive notions.” He turned to regard the young man with those cold, silvery eyes. “When my agents reached you and offered to speed your father’s incapacity so that you could rule on Gonlan, we expected nothing less than your agreement. All the Rhad are nothing if not greedy for power. Or am I being too severe on you outlanders? No matter. We’ve done our part, in any case. Though I must admit that I was a bit surprised at your willingness to have your father --ah, eliminated.” The eyes grew even more metallic in the bright daylight. “But you were never close to Kreon, were you?”
    Karston stared sullenly at the general. This interview wasn’t going well. It wasn’t bringing him any closer to his objective, which was to be returned now to Gonlan with an Imperial starship and troops for the war of annexation against Aurora.
    “Kreon’s favorite was always your bond-brother, I believe,” Tran said.
    Karston made an impatient gesture. “Kynan is lowborn. He does not figure in this.”
    Tran smiled and shook his head. “Karston the Proud. You’re well named, my arrogant young friend. But listen--listen carefully. Kynan figures in all this far more than you realize. I am surprised you haven’t been able to sort out the realities of the situation even yet.”
    “A priest--a Navigator. He’s not even a real Rhad. My father adopted him.”
    “Exactly. And with you--ah, missing--who is now star king in Gonlan?”
    Karston paled angrily. “Not Kynan. Never Kynan!”
    “Who else but Kynan? The shock of what has happened will be wearing off soon among the Rhad at Melissande. Crespus is a blustery old fool off a battlefield, and Tirzah’s as arrogant as you are. But the warlock Baltus and LaRoss are realists. It wouldn’t be the first time in history that a Navigator became star king of an Imperial province.”
    “But I am the heir!” Karston said, in a strangled voice.
    “No one knows whether or not you are alive, now, do they?”
    “I must return to Gonlan at once, then!”
    “Slowly, slowly. Everything in its proper place. You here. Kynan at Melissande--” Tran’s smile grew icy. “And Janessa in the hands of your warlike outland relations.” The smile faded, and the general’s face seemed suddenly to be hewn from stone. “I must have war between Gonlan and Aurora. I must have rebellion in the Rhadan Palatinate. That’s what all this has been about. You didn’t imagine I’ve set all these forces in motion just to put you on a petty throne? You couldn’t be so limited in your viewpoint, Karston, not really.”
    Karston frowned. His throat felt dry, and his heart had begun to flutter in his chest. “You never intended to take Janessa--”
    “What possible good would she do me here? I wanted the Rhad of Gonlan to take her. Kidnaping. A breach of courtesy, of a marriage contract--and a long-standing peace. What could be better?”
    “I don’t understand,” Karston protested.
    General Tran sighed heavily and looked again at the quiet valley. “Each man plays out his part on the stage intended for him by fate, destiny--whatever you wish to call it, Karston. I was born a great prince. In truth, I should have become Galacton.” He shrugged. “But it wasn’t to be. I’m a Vegan. When Glamiss the Magnificent founded the Second Empire, a member of my clan stood at his side. When the last Pretender died after the Battle