"For myself, I would agree to your terms. However, the word of the Emperor is law."
"I understand," replied Seaton. "Would you be willing to seek an immediate audience with him? I would suggest that both you and he accompany me, and we shall hold a peace conference with the Osnomian Emperor and Commander-in-Chief upon this vessel. We shall be gone less than a day."
"I shall do so at once."
"You may accompany your general, lieutenant. Again I ask pardon for my necessary rudeness."
As the Urvanian officers hurried toward the palace, the other Terrestrials, who had been listening in from another room, entered.
"It sounded as though you convinced him, Dick; but that language is nothing like Kondalian. Why don't you teach it to us? Teach it to Shiro, too, so he can cook for, and talk to, our distinguished guests intelligently, if they're going back with us."
As he connected up the educator, Seaton explained what had happened, and concluded:
"I want to stop this civil war, keep Dunark from destroying this planet, preserve Osnome for Osnomians, and make them all co-operate with us against the Fenachrone. That's one tall order, since these folks haven't the remotest notion of anything except killing."
A company of soldiers approached, and Dorothy got up hastily.
"Stick around, folks. We can all talk to them."