Dura shook her head. "Folk here don't hunt, Farr. I've learned that much. They grow special kinds of grasses, and eat them."

Mixxax laughed bitterly. " 'Folk here,' as you call them, don't even do that, I do that, in my scrubby farm on the edge of the upflux desert. I grow food to feed the rich folk in Parz... and I pay them taxes so they can afford to buy it. And that," he finished bitterly, "is how Hork's courtiers have enough leisure time to grow flowers."

The logic of that puzzled Dura, but — understanding little — she let it pass.

Now, suddenly, the queue of cars in front of them cleared aside, and the view ahead was revealed.

Dura heard herself gasp.

Farr cried out, sounding like a small child. "What is it?"

Mixxax turned and grinned at him, evidently enjoying his moment of advantage. "That," he said, "is Parz City. We have arrived."

6

MUUB ARRIVED AT THE RECEPTION Gallery shortly before the start of the Grand Tribute. He moved to the front of the Gallery, so that he could see down the full depth of Pall Mall, and selected a body-cocoon close to Vice-Chair Hork's customary place. A servant drifted around him for a few moments, adjusting the cocoon so it fit snugly, and offered him drinks and other refreshments. Muub, unable to shake off weariness, found the harmless little man as irritating as an itch, and he chased him away.