As he made his way to the palace, Meliadus scowled in concentration. Had Kalan betrayed him? Had the scientist told King Huon the true results of the mentality machine’s test? Or had King Huon guessed for himself? After all, the monarch was immortal. He had lived for two thousand years and had doubtless learned much. Were Kalan’s faked records too clumsy to deceive Huon? Meliadus felt panic rise within him. Was this the end of everything? When he arrived in the Throne Room would Huon order the Mantis Guard to destroy him?

The great gates swung open. The mantis warriors confronted him. At the far end was the Throne Globe, black and mysterious.

Meliadus began to walk towards the Throne Globe.

Eventually he reached it and bowed before it, but for a long while it remained solid, mysterious black. Was Huon playing with him?

At length it began to swirl dark blue, then green, then pink and then white, revealing the foetus shape with its sharp, malevolent eyes staring down at Meliadus.

“Baron…”

“Noblest of Rulers.”

“We are pleased with you.”

Meliadus looked up in astonishment. “Great Emperor?”

“We are pleased with you and we wish to honour you.”

“Noble Prince?”

“You know of course that Shenegar Trott left on a special expedition.”

“I do, Mighty Monarch.”

“And you know where he went.”

“I do not, Light of the Universe.”

“He went to Amarehk, there to discover what he could about the continentto see if we should meet resistance if we landed a force there.”

“It would seem, then, that he did meet resistance, Immortal Ruler…?”

“Aye. He should have reported back a week or more ago. We are concerned.”

“You think he is dead, Noble Emperor?”

“We should like to discover thatand also discover who slew him if that is the case. Baron Meliadus. We wish to entrust you with the second expedition.”

At first Meliadus was filled with fury. Meliadus play second to that fat buffoon Trott! Meliadus waste time questing about on the coasts of a continent in the hope of discovering Trott’s droppings! He would have none of it! He would attack the Throne Globe now, if that senile fool above him would not be sure to have him cut down in an instant. He swallowed his temper and a new scheme began to form in his skull.

“I am honoured, King of All!” he said with mock humility. “Do I choose my crews?”

“If you wish.”

“Then I’ll take men who I can be sure of. Members of the Order of the Wolf and the Order of the Vulture.”

“But these are not sailors. They are not even marines!”

“The Vultures have sailors among them, Emperor of the World, and those are the men I will select.”

“As you say, Baron Meliadus.”

Meliadus was astonished to discover Trott had sailed