When they were in Blade's palace the old man said, «That crowd was packed with Casta's spies. He will be told that the miracle has come to pass, but he will not believe. He will suspect some trick because he is a trickster himself. It will be interesting to see what he does. But we will talk of the priest at another time; come now, Blade, and see your palace and the harem I promised you. Afterward we will talk of your campaign against the Hitts.»

Guarded by Ogier and six of his men, Blade and the Izmir toured the palace-and grounds. It was all magnificent enough-the buildings of smooth white marble and with furnishings of gold and ivory-and Blade found no cause for complaint. The harem was guarded by ball-less men and the women that Blade saw were young and pretty. He saw few of them on this first trip, though the harem reeked of woman-smell and he heard giggles and was conscious of being watched from behind ivory screens that shielded the various rooms. Strange, but all this available female flesh aroused no desire in him, no lust. This puzzled him at first, even alarmed him, but he put it down to tension and the newness of things.

Blade had a throne room of his own and the Izmir insisted that he sit in the ivory chair on its dais and play the part of heir and prince. Ogier was permitted to remain while the others were sent to guard the entrances.

«A throne befits you,» said the old man. «You look natural there, as if born to it. Not so, Ogier?»

The Captain nodded gravely. «I agree, Izmir. No one seeing Blade now could doubt that this was meant to be exactly so. Casta's prophecy has come true.»