Three grinning pirates advanced, each carrying a tray on which rested eight small glass goblets filled with various colored liquors.
Sual Av's green eyes widened. “Are we expected to—"
Stilicho Keene cackled. “Yes, lads. You're expected to drink defiance to the eight worlds as we call them off."
Thorn and his two comrades took the little goblets first handed them. They were brimming with colorless rock-liquor, the fiery distillate that is the favorite drink of Mercury.
Stilicho, grinning, raised his bony hand. And from the firelit feasters crashed a mirthful shout.
"Mercury""
The Planeteers tossed off the burning liquor. It seared Thorn's throat, but Gunner Welk smacked his lips.
"Venus!" crashed the shout an instant later.
Down went the little goblets of heady black Venusian swamp-grape wine. And the pirate horde, without giving the Planeteers time to catch breath, called out planet after planet.
A goblet of tingling brown Earth whisky; another of suave, smooth desert-flower cordial from Mars; and a bumper of raw, potent marsh-apple brandy from Jupiter followed each other.