"So," Ajax said coolly, "you were the one behind this?"

"Ah, quite the contrrary," Skarff said. "Perrhaps I should first explain my role so there is no further misoonderstanding. My title is Acquisitor, among my own people. But more formally, I am an Observerr for the Starr Union. That in itself does not give a full picture of my role and authoorrity. To you, it sounds passive and uninvolved. It may help to think of me as… umpire." He said the word with care, avoiding his strange accent and further eccentricities.

"All right," Ajax said. "If you're the umpire, then what's the game, and who's playing?"

"Now that is something we have discussed befoorre," Skarff said. "Therre are patterns in contact, from tribe meeting tribe to world meeting world. Often, the very first encounters are virtually accidental, like castaways and fugitives cooming to an island. That was how you and Hector came, and Martin befoore you. If they prosper or at least survive, they may meet the next wave, the likes or your conquistadoors: Organized exploitation, but still too primitive to look beyond grabbing what is already therre to take. You had that in Zog and Kabango. It was then that I was first sent to investigate your woorld. Sometimes, there is a wave, befoorre or after or between, of refugees and exiles seeking oonly a place to be left alone, like the Pilgrims and Huguenots. The Ostrakoi woould have been like that, if you had met them."

He took a draw from what looked for all the world like a bong. "As I have told you, the next steps arre always more complex," he said. "Fortunately for you, and forr us, the next phases do not apply. We have no need of land for surplus population, even less for slaves and cash crrops. Our interests are more sophisticated, and the best methods are thoose that are felt least. That is what has been happening on yoourr World, a numberr of times. Your Roomans alrready knew the basics: Do not conquer directly, oonly take one side or another in a local dispute. For a while, those who thought that they coould gain a foothold the usual way were only undermining each otherr. Xaja, too, was a great obstacle; he knew what it was to observe and be observed, and he was much too shrewd to manipulate. The current situation arrose because separate interests began to co-oorrdinate their efforts. The arrival of Melibooia escalated that. Once I gave a full report, the Union gave me authoority to act. I have communicated to every leader and faction to implement a ceasefirre, or face sanctions."

"So fine, you're law and order," Ajax said. "What is it that they want?"

"Several things have been prooposed," Skarff said. "The first is a comprromise on the line of succession of Arzai. Naam woould resign his throne to Lemmia, and she would be succeeded eitherr by Pruna's offspring or her own."

"They could have had that already," Pruna said.

"Yes, and they already tried to kill her twice," Ajax said.

"There are also questions of the rrelations of the Mushroom Realms, and their boorders with Biarmaland," Skarff continued. "The Biarmamen claim the White Noorth, but they say they woould settle for certain territorial concessions. The demands of the Rrealms in rebellion have been… difficult. Lorrd Morel says that he wishes to have autonomy. Aurrelius has been moorre… temperamental. He has spoken of simple independence. At otherr times, he has talked of making himself an Emperror over all the Realms, including yoours. When pushed, he has willingly spooken of sharing power with Morel, perhaps a division of Noorth and South. The interrests that have backed him have been groowing impatient."

"Again, we would have given Morel what he asks," Ajax said. "Aurelius is only a dreamer and a malcontent. He could not take a tenth of what he grasps for, and he would not be satisfied if he got it ten times over. But there is more to it, isn't there? You call yourself a rule keeper, but I do not believe for a moment that you are neutral. What is it you want?"

If it was possible, Skarff smiled. "It is what I can give that all otherrs vie for," he said. "I have the capacity to choose a leader froom this world to represent its interests directly in the Star Union. The benefits would be initially limited but subject to gradooal expansion. Given sufficient time and favoorrable developments, it can develop into the leadership of a world goverrnment."

"So you would choose their own puppet," the King said. "And who is it you favor?"

"The one I have made surre received ourr help least," the Eater answered. "You."

Meliboia took the King's hand, and shook her head. "Then you are here to offer a bribe," he said. "What are the strings?"

"Yoou know that is not how this works," Skarff said. "If all we wanted was a mouthpiece to do ourr bidding, we woould have installed one already. You arre the one who would consider the interests of your Worrld, without neglecting your own. Now, consider the present situation. We will not fight on yourr behalf, noor aid you with technology that would decide the issue. That woould only undermine you in the eyes of the peoples of your World. But you would have what the others fight forr, and we would have the cause and means to reward those who would join you and sanction those who might give undue advantage to yourr enemies. You woould bring a quick resolution to a conflict that has already claimed many lives."

"Tell me one more thing," the King said. "Did you have a hand in the plots against me or Lady Pruna?"

"Of coourse, neither I nor any others of the Union have authored any plan against you," the Eater answered. "I had cerrtain discretionary power, soofficient to stop some but not all. I used it to give you fair warrning of the plans of those you would have overlooked. It was a means to test your leadership, and to remind you of yourr own limitations."

The King turned to his Queen. "I would do as my lady counsels," he said.

Mel smiled. "I say, they can take their offer to Cocytus with them," she said. She looked to Skarff. "Maybe you could settle this, but it would be resetting the real problems for the next cycle. You know that. We can win this now. You know that, too. Whatever else happens, we're done making deals."

Skarff seemed to smile again. "I would have expected nothing less frroom you or your King," he said. Even as he spoke, he disappeared as he had come.

Ajax looked to the Maiden. "What of you, Nopalina?" he said. "Have you joined this plot, or were you with them all along?"

"I was the contingency, before he came in at all," she said, pointing to Aeacus. "I tried to bail. They found me."

"For her, I would offer a ransom," Ajax said. "What would you ask, in either treasure or terms?"

"She is not for ransom," the Chief said. "She is neither an innocent nor an honorable captive, but a servant who refused to fulfill her mission. Only her mate may redeem her."

"Don't worry about me," the Maiden said. "It's just condescending."

"Father," Mel said sternly, "it is not too late. Return Prince Robert. Advise the clients to negotiate a peace. If you don't, you will be against me and the Amphion."

"And you will be against the Geryon," the Myrmidon answered. "Now, we go." When Nopalina hesitated, he made a gesture, and she clutched at the collar at her throat. He then led her by the arm back to the ship.

"Why did they bring her?" Ajax wondered.

"To get a reaction from you," Mel said. "It changes nothing. For what it's worth, that's a Control Collar. They wouldn't use it if she was just going along with the plan."

"What will we do?" the King asked. "You have told me of the power of the Geryon. How can you oppose it with only one ship?"

"More ways than you'd think," Mel answered. "I've flown aboard it. There are several obvious weaknesses…"

It seemed bare moments before an Attendant rushed out to them. "Lord and Lady!" he called out. "There is a disturbance of great concern! We advise that you come inside!"

The King looked out. Already, he could see a wall of gray rushing in. "It is a storm!" he said. "It is odd, usually the Rim is dry…"

"That's no storm," Mel said with resignation. "Dammit, you idiots… They followed me." As she spoke, what sounded like thunder resolved into the beating of wings.

And a while later, Daffodil lay beside Hector, their forms half-visible silhouettes in the twilight. "It's for the best, really," she sighed. "And it's romantic, isn't it? Knowing you saved me, knowing who I am, knowing you know, knowing we could…" She buried her head in his chest.

"I'm glad," Hector said. "To be honest, I was feeling... under pressure. And exhausted, really."

"Oh, you're not off yet," Daffy said. She walked her fingers along his chest. "I'm just thinking, what we will do instead."

"Well," said the King, "I could do more if you, you know… untied me."

"I don't know," the Queen answered. "It just feels… important. Like, I'm keeping you safe. Maybe it's a Lindorm thing after all."

"Maybe," the King said. "It would be fine with me if you just loosened the knots a little. Maybe?"

"I'll think about it…"