"I realize that, sir. That is, I had intended at the first opportunity, sir...."
"Of course," Extrone said dryly. "Like all of my subjects," he waved his hand in a broad gesture, "the highest as well as the lowest slave, know me and love me. I know your intentions were the best."
Ri squirmed, his face pale. "We do indeed love you, sir."
Extrone bent forward. "Know me and love me."
"Yes, sir. Know you and love you, sir," Ri said.
"Get out!" Extrone said.
"It's frightening," Ri said, "to be that close to him."
Mia nodded.
The two of them, beneath the leaf-swollen branches of the gnarled tree, were seated on their sleeping bags. The moon was clear and cold and bright in a cloudless sky; a small moon, smooth-surfaced, except for a central mountain ridge that bisected it into almost twin hemispheres.