here. Loot."

Don Loris quivered. It was horribly plausible. He'd had the scheme of
the only stun-weapon-armed force on Darth, himself. He knew his men
tended to revere Hoddan because of the plunder his followers seemed
always to acquire. Don Loris was in a very, very uncomfortable
situation. Bored men from the battered spacecraft stood about his great
hall. They were unimpressed. He knew that they, at least, were casually
sure that they could bring his castle down about his ears in minutes if
they chose.

"But ... if my men--" Don Loris quavered. "What about me?"

"Minor problem," said Hoddan's grandfather blandly. "The usual thing
would be _pfft!_ Cut your throat." He rose. "Decide that later, no
doubt. Yes, Bron?"

"I've brought back my men," growled Hoddan, "and Nedda's taken care of.
We're through here."

He headed abruptly for the great hall's farthest door. His grandfather
followed him briskly, and the negligent, matter-of-fact armed men who
were mostly Hoddan's first and second cousins came after them. Outside
the castle, Hoddan said angrily:

"Why did you tell such a preposterous story, grandfather?"

"It's not preposterous," said his grandfather. "Sounds like fun, to me!
You're tired now, Bron. Lots of responsibilities and such. Take a rest.
You and your Cousin Oliver get together and fix those new gadgets on my
ship. I'll take the other boys for a run over to this spaceport town.
The boys need a run ashore, and there might be some loot. Your
grandmother's fond of homespun. I'll try to pick some up for her."

Hoddan shrugged. His grandfather was a law unto himself. Hoddan saw his
cousins bringing horses from the castle stables, and a very casual group
went riding away as if on a pleasure excursion. As a matter of fact, it
was. Thal guided them.

* * * * *

For the rest of that morning and part of the afternoon Hoddan and his
Cousin Oliver worked at the battered ship's Lawlor drive. Hoddan was
pleased with his cousin's respect for his device. He unfeignedly admired
the cannon his cousin had designed. Presently they reminisced about
their childhood. It was pleasant to renew family ties like this.

The riders came back about sunset. There were extra horses, with loads.
There were cheerful shoutings. His grandfather came into Hoddan's ship.

"Brought back some company," he said. "Spaceliner landed while we were
there. Friend of yours on it. Congenial fellow, Bron. Think