She met his eyes, frowning. "But these are not our people."
"Yet," argued Artana, "the Earth people are at peace with us."
Ross saw the Princess regarding her mother curiously. Moore, too, was staring in frank astonishment at the Queen. As she sensed their intent regard she relaxed her rigid pose. "Oh, very well. But there shall be no fighting?"
"None, O Queen," Ross hastened to say.
Artana nodded with satisfaction. "There remains, then, the finding of a guide for the fleet. I could send Calisto—"
The Princess spoke for the first time. "Calisto has not the gift of the Earth-tongue. Who guides the Commander Ross must speak the tongue he knows best."
"That's true," muttered Artana, taken aback. "Who, then—"
The Princess was looking at Ross. Almost hostilely, he thought confusedly. Had she resented his long open stare? She was such a picture, clad in only a single filmy garment, caught at the waist with a gold twisted belt and cut tunic-like at the knee. Bare-armed, with softly swelling contours and a skin like peach down, she was an entrancing sight.
His confused thoughts were set at rest. The Princess had a plan. "I shall go with the Commander Ross," she said.