V

THE VICTORY


My first intent was to let them advance unhampered; but Maka pointed out
that such a policy might give them suspicions, and so we disputed their
course all the way. I gave orders to show no great amount of resistance;
and thus, the louts reached Vlama in high feather, confident that the
game was theirs.

I stood at the door of the palace as Klow himself rolled up to the edge
of the parade-ground. My men, obeying orders, had given way to him; his
crews swarmed the space behind and on all sides of him, while my own
bullies were all about and behind the palace. Never did two such giant
armies face one another in peace; for I had caused my banner to be
floated wrong end to, in token of surrender.

First, a small body of subordinates waited upon me, demanding that I
give up the throne. I answered that I would treat with none save Klow
himself; and shortly the knave, surrounded by perhaps fifty underlings,
stepped up before me.

"Hail, Stroker!" he growled, his voice shaking a bit with excitement;
not with fear, for he were a brave man. "Hail to thee and to thine, and
a pleasant stay in Hofe for ye all!"