ve hounded us until we are but few, Wananda the Faithless, but
you will never conquer us. We still have your doom in our hands, and it
will find you out. Death to you, woman without mercy, creature without
soul! These sacred Jivros plot your downfall, and your people pray that
they will succeed. The ancient Jivro rule would be better than the
justice you administer, you snake in a woman's flesh!"

The Schree holding Holaf's arms let go, tugged a weapon from his belt,
struck Holaf over the head with it. He slumped unconscious, with blood
running over his face from the blow. The three were taken out, and
Wananda leaned back. Seeing my intent face, she waved a hand to her
companion, Genner, who rose to his feet and motioning to me, preceded me
from the room by another door than that which I had entered. I followed
him.

Apparently I was on my honor, for no guard followed, and Genner bore no
weapons I could see but a little jeweled dagger in his belt.

As he walked a step ahead of me, I asked:

"Who is this Croen that Holaf spoke of, in the crystal column. I saw
her, wondered at her, in the room of the golden goddess. Why do they
think she could be released?"

"The Croen are a powerful race of wizards, Carlin Keele. They live far
off from our home planets in space, and they have a code of conduct that
makes them monitors, doctors, interferers in all matters of other races'
business. If she were released, she would at once attempt to overthrow
our power, to set up a state after the Croen pattern. It is their way.
They consider themselves as superior to all others, and they do have a
knowledge of nature which they use to impose their will upon all
peoples. They are worshipped as Gods by many primitive people, and so
consider themselves above all laws but their own. She was captured many
years ago in an attempt to overthrow the rule of Wananda upon a small
satellite planet. Wananda did not kill her, but placed her in suspended
animation within the protective crystal plastic. Our queen intends to
revive her and study her mind for her wisdom, but we have not had time
because of the press of events. Soon, now, she will become a tool in our
hands to build greater the eminence of Wananda."

"Peculiar looking creature, yet attractive," I murmured.

"The Croens are physically beautiful, but they are warlike and cruel,
they do not desire peace and the way of life of the Schrees and Jivros
is an irritant to them. They hate and