Savage shrugged him off and, remembering the formula, said:
"You have affronted my honor, sir. Who is your friend?"
Attention had been drawn to them at the arrival of Larhana, but this exchange brought all eyes on them. Satish stood up, towering over Savage, and said thickly:
"Captain Droga will act for me."
"Let it pass," interjected Loong. "He is drunk."
"Not too drunk to teach this whelp to respect his superiors," Satish bellowed. "Captain Droga, make the arrangements."
His distaste for the affair evident, Loong reluctantly conferred with Captain Droga, while the two principals stood aloofly silent. In the end it was decided that the duel was to take place immediately on the grounds of the Palace of the Stars. The choice of weapons was Savage's and he decided on needle guns.
Satish and his two companions stamped out and Savage turned to Larhana, who had stood silently by.
"I deeply apologize for causing you this embarrassment," he said.
She looked at him soberly for a moment. Then she smiled and gave him her hand.