--went into business for myself finally. Nowadays
I'm old and soft. Eh, Belchy?" The two great pals, sitting side by side,
dug elbows at each other and ha-ha-ha'd. Trigger winced.

"Still in the same line of business, on the side?" Lyad inquired.

Quillan looked steadily at her and grinned. "More or less," he said.

"We might," Lyad said thoughtfully, "come back to that later. As for
that match with Virod," she went on to Trigger, "it was really a
terrific event! Virod was a Tranest arena professional before I took him
into my personal employ, and he's very, very rarely been beaten in any
such contest." She laughed. "And before such a large group of people
too! I'm afraid he's never quite forgiven you for that, Quillan."

"I'll keep out of his way," Quillan said easily.

"Did you people know," Lyad said, "that the trouble on the way between
Maccadon and Evalee was caused by a catassin killing?" There was a touch
of mischief in the question, Trigger thought.

There were assorted startled responses. The Ermetyne went briefly over
some of the details Quillan had told; essentially it was the same story.
"And do you know, Belchik, what the creature was trying to do? It was
trying to get into the rest cubicle vaults. Just think, it might have
been sent after you!"

It was rather cruel. Pluly's head jerked, and he blinked rapidly at
Lyad, saying nothing. He was a badly scared little man at that moment.
Trigger felt a little sorry for him, but not too sorry. Belchy's ogle
had been of the straightforward, loose-lipped, drooling variety.

"You're safe when you're in one of those things, Belchik!" Quillan said
reassuringly. "Wouldn't you feel a little safer there yourself, Lyad? If
you say they're not even sure they've killed the creature...."

"I probably shall have a cubicle set up here," Lyad said. "But not as
protection against a catassin. It would never get past Pilli, for one
thing." She looked at Trigger. "Oh, I forgot. You haven't met Pilli.
Virod!" she called.

Virod appeared at the far end of the terrace.

"Yes, First Lady?"

"Bring in Pilli," she told him.

Virod bowed. "Pilli is in the room, First Lady." He glanced about, went
over to a massive easy chair a few feet way, and swung it aside.
Something like a huge ball of golden fur behind it moved and sat up.

It was an animal of some sort. Its head seemed turned toward the group,
but whatever features it had remained hidden under the fur. Then an arm
li