*

Odin and Gunnar scrambled ashore. Piper pushed the boat back into the
river and was gone. Three thin sickles of moons were cleaving their way
across the sky. A few unfamiliar stars were out. There was enough light
now for them to see Maya's tomb not far away. It seemed to be fashioned of
moonbeams. It was such a perfect copy of the Taj Mahal that here both death
and sleep were brothers--and a nirvana of peace hung over it in an aura of
silver light.

"That Piper is a smart lad," Gunnar whispered. "He knows what he wants.
He'll go far--maybe."

They approached. Odin knew that four guards were stationed here at all
times. They were all gone. The two went in, Gunnar turned on a little
flash.

Had there been time, Odin might have grudgingly given Grim Hagen a few kind
words for the work he had done and the tribute he had paid Maya. The best
of a planet's treasures and art had been brought here. But all he could
see was Maya, lying upon a golden, diamond-set couch. A silk embroidered
coverlet was drawn over her, and it too seemed to have been spun from
moonbeams. She looked no older. Odin could see no sign of breath. But he
touched her hand and it was warm. He knelt beside her.

"Here," Gunnar handed him the light. "Hold this while I get busy. Here now,
Nors-King. No blubbering."

He opened his buckskin bag and took out the last of its treasures--a small
hypodermic case. He filled the hypodermic from a little vial that glittered
in the light of the lamp. "Turn the light upon her forearm, now," he
instructed.

Gunnar slowly counted to sixty after he had given her the shot. Maya's
breasts moved. She sighed and raised a hand to her dark curls. Then her
eyes opened--in fear and wonder as a child opens its eyes in a strange
place.

Then her vision cleared and she recognized them.

"Jack--Gunnar--" she gasped. Then she was in Odin's arms. And Gunnar, the
strong one, was standing over them--sniffling.

It was one of those moments that seem to last forever. And then it was
over and she drew her hand through his light hair, "What happened? Where
are we? I dreamed the strangest dreams."

"Never mind," Odin comforted. "We will explain later. Can you walk now?"

"Walk? Of course I can walk." But when Maya tried to sit up, she moaned in
pain. "My whole body is stiff and sore. Have I been sick?"

Odin helped her to her feet. As he did so, hundreds of precious stones that
had been heaped upon the couch rolled unnoticed