Androids!
Thor drew his lips back from his teeth and flung the ruby from him. But, as it twisted in air, Aava cried, "A trick, Thor. But just a trick to test you. Pay no heed to the androids. They are here to lead us back to the city of the Urn. I tell you—" Thor caught his war-axe where it rested against the helm. He shook it at the ruby.
"You foul liar!" he rasped. "You hypnotized me. You showed me things that existed only in your mind. All right, I'll play your little game. But I'll show you things, too. And the things I show you will be real. Real, like death, Aava!
"You don't know what death is, do you? But you'll learn. I'll find a way. I'll pay you back—"
A lance sang in the air as it slid over his head. The androids were closer, hemming him in. They began to clamber up the sides of the ship.
Aava said swiftly, "You can make the dream come true, Thor! With you to help, I shall build a city of alabaster, make it lovely as the one I showed you.
"And Stalyl! We will create her, you and I. We will make her as lovely as the Stalyl I showed you. Far lovelier than any woman—"
"You lack materials! Otherwise you would have made more androids to fight the outlaws!"
An android hurdled the rail. Thor stepped forward, swung his axe. The keen edge bit through hair and skull.
Thor grunted, "This is the opening move, Aava. I'll find a gambit to beat you. I'll checkmate you yet."