"I knew thou wouldst see the light, Strokor! Thou hast thy father's
brains."

I sat me down, but instantly leaped up again, such was my enthusiasm.
"Maka," I cried, "our emperor is not the man for the place! It is true
that he were a brave warrior in his youth; he won the throne fairly. And
we have suffered him to keep it because he is a wise man, and because we
have had little trouble with the men of Klow since their defeat two
generations agone.

"But he, today, is content to sit at his ease and quote platitudes about
live and let live. Faugh! I am ashamed that I should even have given ear
to him!"

I stopped short and glared at the old man. "Maka--hark ye well! If it be
the will of Jon to decide between the men of Klow and the men of
Vlamaland, then it is my intent to take a hand in this decision!"

"Aye, my lad," he said tranquilly; and then added, quite as though he
knew what my answer must be: "How do ye intend to go about it?"

"Like a man! I, Strokor, shall become the emperor!"



III

THE THRONE