"Why did you come back here?" Kieron demanded bitterly. "You have lost an Empire!"
"We came for you, Kieron," Nevitta said. "For our king."
"But. . Alys…" Kieron protested.
"I would not have the Great Throne, Kieron," said Alys, "if it meant leaving you to rot in a cell!"
Kieron turned his face to the wall. Because of him, the star-kings fought Ivane's battle. And by now they would have won. The only thing that had been done was the killing of the treacherous Freka. He held Kalgan now, for — the Valkyrs had returned seeking their Warlord after Freka's plan had stripped the planet of fighting men — and the mobs had done the Valkyr's work for them. But two worlds were not an Empire of stars. Alys had been cheated. Because of him.
No! thought Kieron, by the Seven Hells, no! They could not be defeated so easily. There were five thousand warriors with him now. If need be, he would fight the Imperium's massed forces to win Alys' rightful place on the throne of Gilmer of Kaidor!
"Let me up," Kieron demanded. "If we hit them on Earth before they have a chance to consolidate, there's still a chance!" -
"There is no hurry, Kieron," said Nevitta holding him in the bed with a great hand. "Freka and the star-kings have already…"
"Freka!" Kieron sat bolt upright.
"Why, yes. ." murmured Nevitta in perplexity. "Freka."