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Kewen is. We re here because we happened to be on the yacht with Casmard.
Trigger said, after a moment, From what I ve heard of Askanam politics, that
doesn t look too good.
I m afraid it isn t good, Telzey agreed. When we re missed, all anyone will
know is that Casmard s yacht appears to have vanished in interstellar space
with all aboard.
How does the psi business fit in?
I don t know yet. There re a number of psis of assorted types not very far
from us. Anywhere up to two dozen of them. One had an unguarded mind and I
tapped it. But I discovered then that some of the others were screened
telepaths. I could have been detected at any moment, so I pulled out before I
got as much information as I wanted.
I m not sure why they re here. There was something about a Glory Day a big
annual holiday in Tamandun
coming up. Something else about arena games connected with Glory Day
festivities. Telzey shook her head. Those psis aren t Askanam people. At
least, the one I was tapping isn t. She s a Federation citizen.
They might be helpful then, Trigger suggested.
They might. But I d want to find out more about them before I let them know
I m also a Federation psi who s probably in a jam. And I ll have to be careful
about that because of the telepaths.
Trigger nodded. Sounds like you re right! You d better stay our secret weapon
for a while. Particularly are the psis in the building, too?
No, I m sure they re not in the building. They re close to us, but not that
close.
But there s a connection between them and Casmard s Regent?
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I m almost sure of that.
Well Trigger shrugged. Let s freshen up and change our clothes before we
have visitors. What do you wear on Askanam in the palace of a Regent who might
be thinking of featuring you in the upcoming arena games?
Something quietly conservative, I suppose, Telzey said.
All right. Just so it goes with my purse. The cosmetics purse didn t contain
cosmetics but Trigger s favorite gun, and was equipped with an instant
ejection mechanism. Conceivably, it could act as their other secret weapon
here. The door on the left looks like it should open on a refresher
2
In certain confidential Overgovernment files, Askanam was listed among the
Hub s experimental worlds. Officially, it was a world which retained a number
of unusual privileges in return for acknowledging the Federation s basic
authority and accepting a few balancing restrictions. Most of its surface was
taken up by the balaks of the ruling
Askabs, ranging in size from something not much larger than a township to
great states with teeming populations. It was a colorful world of pomp and
splendor, romance, violence, superstition and individualism. The traditionally
warlike activities of the Askabs were limited by Federation regulations, which
kept Askanam pretty much as it was
though individual balaks not infrequently changed hands. Otherwise Federation
law didn t extend to the balaks. Hub citizens applying for entry were advised
that they were going into areas where they would receive no Federation
protection.
Telzey was aware that the arrangement served several purposes for the
Overgovernment. Askanam was populated largely by people who liked that kind of
life, since nothing prevented them from leaving. They were attracted to it, in
fact, from all over the Hub. Since they were a kind of people whose romantic
notions could cause problems otherwise, the Overgovernment was glad to see
them there. Askanam was one of its laboratories, and its population s ways
were more closely studied than they knew.
For individuals, of course, that romantic setup could turn into a dangerous
trap.
Telzey discovered an intercom while Trigger was freshening up, and after they
were dressed again, they used it.
They were connected with someone who said he was the Regent Toru s secretary,
extended the Regent s welcome to the Askab Casmard s yacht guests, trusted
they were well rested, and inquired whether they would be pleased to join the
Askab and his cousin for breakfast.
They would, and were guided through a wing of the palace to a room where a
table was set for four. The Askab
Perial Casmard waited there, smiling and, to all appearances, at ease. Three
other men were with him, and he introduced them. The Regent Toru, tall, bony
and dark. Lord Ormota, with a bristling red beard, Servant of the
Stone. Finally a young, strongly built man with a boyishly handsome face, who
was Lord Vallain.
The Regent said, I waited only to meet you and to express my regrets if any
inconvenience has been caused you.
I hope your visit to the Balak of Tamandun will be very pleasant otherwise.
Political considerations made it necessary to bring you here, as the Askab
will explain. He added to Casmard, Your taste in guests is impeccable, dear
cousin! Then he bowed to Telzey and Trigger and left the room, accompanied by
Lord Ormota.
They took their seats, and breakfast was served. When the waiters had left,
Casmard said, I regret deeply that you two are involved in this matter! We
can speak freely, by the way. I m using a distorter, and Toru, in any case,
would have no interest in what we have to say. He s certain there s nothing we
can do.
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Is it a very bad situation? Trigger asked.
Yes, quite bad! Casmard hesitated, then shook his head. I would be both
insulting you and treating you unfairly by offering you false reassurances.
The fact is then that Toru undoubtedly intends to have all four of us killed.
He believes you re my women and that he can put additional pressure on me
because of it.
Pressure to do what? asked Telzey.
To renounce my right to the title of Askab of Tamandun, abdicate publicly in
his favor. The reasoning is that my interests are no longer here. That s
perfectly true, of course. It s been eight years since I last set foot on
Askanam.
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