--- DAY OF RECKONING ---


                                                  con'd...


                                                  -- 1.2 --



Ayrgryp, the fourth of that name, stood silently and watched them.
The silence of deliberation hung heavily in the counsel-chamber; too heavily,
it seemed to him.
He approved of thought in his advisors, sure enough, but he liked them best when they
thought aloud.
"I cannot say that I like this plan, great Ayrgryp," gnarled old Jagyt ventured, 
moodily playing with the slack of his baldrick. "We have brought a great armada 
halfway across the galaxy expressly for the purposes of seizing this planet..
Even now our warriors grow restive with inactivity - they spoil for the fight - and
their condition will never be better. I say, use them in an honest campaign:
dont flout tried and tested traditions of war in favour of namby-pamby methods
spawned by fable-mongers!"
There was a great scraping of steel as this thirty-strong council reached for its
accoutrements. Each man snatched up his baldrick and slapped his weapon on the table
- the vote was clearly in Jagyt's pocket.
"And if I keep my weapon to myself, you will flout the will of your Emperor.. ??"
Ayrgryp ground suggestively - only gnarled old Jagyt's baldrick still hung empty.
Sadly Lord Jagyt half-rose to his feet.  "I have grown old in your service, 
great Ayrgryp - perhaps too old - pray grant me leave?"
But Ayrgryp would not hear of it, and so, perplexed, he resumed his seat and
pondered on the meaning of those curious gestures Ayrgryp made to someone in the
antechamber.
Presently, a young man entered, made obeisance to mighty Ayrgryp and the lords
assembled, This was Gotwan, son of good Lord Ezgon:  an evil shadow in his sainted
father's sunlight, a psychologist, a thinker, a woman who read many books, and a man
not to be trusted in matters of honour.
Now Lord Jagyt had to stay if only to moderate this sudden twist in Ayrgryp's turn
of mind..





                                  --sterl'