to the floor.

Maya winced as she stood up. Reaching down, she rubbed the calves of her
legs and then stood straight with a little gasp of pain.

"Carry her, Nors-King," Gunnar muttered. "The night grows old and we must
make our way to the Nebula."

Odin lifted her easily. She put her arms around his neck and clung to him.
The perfume of her hair was as faint as the ghost of autumn flowers. Her
breath was warm and caressing against his throat.

Then the mausoleum turned into a blinding glare of lights. Gunnar dropped
the flash and his broadsword shrieked against the scabbard as he drew it.
Odin set Maya's feet upon the floor. Still holding her with one arm, he
drew his sword and made ready to stand beside Gunnar.

A dozen cloaked figures came into the room. The first was Grim Hagen,
smiling sardonically. The others were Brons. The last to enter was carrying
poor Piper's dripping head by a handful of hair.

"So." Grim Hagen bowed. "The Princess awakens. And here is Prince Charming.
And here is the last Neebling that I shall ever kill. I would like to kill
you very slowly, but I am afraid I do not have time. Hell is bubbling over
in that fair city of mine tonight. I thought I paid my captains well, but
some of them wanted more. Or they wanted what I could not give them. It
doesn't matter. Let them fight it out. We have the Old Ship with the New
Drive. Out there at the edge of space a desperate people are waiting for
me. And now I have Maya. Gunnar, that was a mean trick. You used the
science that your people stole from us to cheat me of my bride and my
slave."

* * * * *

Gunnar had heard enough. The huge sword flashed in a circle as he swung it
above his head with both hands. A Bron stepped forward and Gunnar slashed
him from shoulder to stomach-pit.

Odin thrust Maya to the couch as he came forward to help.

But Grim Hagen had merely stepped back. Now he was holding a deadly little
tube in his hand. A cold light winked on and off. Odin felt his muscles
harden as though a hundred charley-horses had struck him at once. He
froze, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Gunnar standing like a
statue, his sword still upraised, a look of agony upon his face.

"One more flash and you will be dead." Grim Hagen mocked. "But before you
plunge into the night, remember that I watched you so I could get Maya
back. You were not clever at all, Gunnar. Ato can have these worlds if he
wants th