"Because—because—"

"Tell me."

Sempeturn sagged until his knees were bent and his quivering hands hung almost to the ground.

"Because he stole the Coronal's body during the time of the usurpation, and wears it yet—by the mercy and dispensation of the man he would have overthrown—"

"Ah. And who am I, then?"

"You are Lord Valentine," Sempeturn said miserably.

"Wrong. Who am I, Sempeturn?"

"Valentine—Pontifex—Pontifex of Majipoor—"

"Indeed. At last. And if I am Pontifex, who is Coronal?"

"Whoever—you—say, your majesty."

"I say he is Lord Hissune, who waits for you in Ni-moya, Sempeturn. Go: gather your knights, take your army east, serve your Coronal as he wishes. Go, Sempeturn! Go!"

He sent one last thrust of force toward Sempeturn, who reeled and swayed and shook, and at last fell to his knees. "Majesty—majesty—forgive me—"

"I will spend a night or two in Khyntor," said Valentine, "and see to it that all is in order here. And then I think I must move on toward the west, where more work awaits me." He turned and saw Carabella staring at him as though he had sprouted wings or horns. He smiled at her and lightly blew her a kiss. This is thirsty work, he thought. A good bowl or two of wine, now, if they have any in Khyntor, eh?

He glanced down at the dragon-tooth that he had held in his hands all this time and ran his fingers lightly over it, and heard once more the sound of bells, and thought that he felt the stirring of mighty wings within his soul. Carefully he wrapped the tooth in a piece of colored silk that he took from Carabella, and handed it to her, saying, "Guard this well, my lady, until I ask you for it again. I will have some great use for it, I think." He looked into the crowd and caught sight of the woman Millilain who had given the tooth to him.

Her eyes were fixed on his; and they blazed with a frightening intensity, as though she were staring with awe and rapture at some godlike being.

3

What sounded like a loud argument seemed to be going on just outside the door of his bedchamber, Hissune realized. He sat up, scowled, blinked groggily. Through the great window to his left he saw the red daybreak glow of the sun low on the eastern horizon. He had been awake far into the night preparing for the arrival this day of Divvis, and he was hardly pleased to be roused from sleep so soon after sunrise.

"Who's out there?" he growled. "What in the name of the Divine is all that racket?"

"My lord, I have to see you at once!" Alsimir's voice. "Your guards say you must not be awakened under any circumstances, but I absolutely must speak with you!"

Hissune sighed. "I seem to be awake," he said. "You may as well come in."

There was the sound of unbolting of the doors. After a moment Alsimir entered, looking greatly agitated.