Kieron awoke in darkness. Of the fire on the hearth, only embers remained and the stone rooms were silent but for the sound of sleeping men. The single Valkyr sentry was at his elbow, whispering him into wakefulness. Kieron threw back the fur coverlets and swung his feet over the edge of the low couch.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Nevitta, sir."
"Nevitta! Here?" Kieron sprang to his feet, fully awake now. "Is there a woman with him?"
"A slave-girl, sir. They wait in the outer chamber." Kieron reached for his harness and weapons, threading his way through his sleeping men. In the dimly lit antechamber, Nevitta stood near the muffled figure of Alys. Kieron went immediately to the girl, and she threw back her hood, baring her golden head to the torchlight. Her eyes were bright with the pleasure of seeing Kieron again, hut there was anger in them, too. The lord of Valkyr knew at once that she had not succeeded with Toran.
"What happened, Nevitta?"
"An attempt was made on the little princess' life, sir." "What?" Kieron felt the blood drain from his face.
"As I say, Kieron." The old Valkyr's face was grim.
"We had to fight our way out of the Palace."
"I never had a chance to speak to Toran," the girl said sombrely. "It was all that could be done to reach the spaceship. Even the. Janizaries tried to stop us. Two of your men died for me, Kieron."