"His own plus what he gained from Toibin." Nadine added, "Aside from personal jewelry that wasn't much."

"Is that why he challenged Dumarest?" Jumay was shrewd. "To harvest what he'd gained from the traders? Not that it matters. Toibin was a fool. He could have handled things better. Dumarest is an outsider."

But could no longer be treated as one.

Nadine leaned back in her chair pretending an indifference she did not feel. The council chamber, a bare room fitted with a table and chairs, held no dignity as the Council itself held no real power. A body created as a matter of convenience to provide arbitration when needed, to deal with visiting traders, to act as an agent and to provide a degree of administration. Yet they could act as one and had influence by reason of friends and families.

Musson said, "I still fail to see why we are here. Dumarest wants to charter a ship. If he can pay for it then where is the problem?"

Dieter was more discerning. "He wants to go hunting a myth. To search for Earth. Never mind what we think – he obviously believes he can find it. But when? Where? How long would he expect the charter to last?"

"Until he reaches his destination." Nadine looked at those around the table. "He is willing to pay all he has towards the venture. He also has the coordinates."

"Of Earth?" Calbray spoke for the first time. An old, thin, wizened man who bore facial scars with a stubborn pride. "Woman, do you know what you are saying?"

To them all Earth was a legend. Any supposed coordinates had to be the product of a mad or cunning mind. The stuff of lying adventure sold in taverns to gullible fools. Such a one, with money, could buy passage to wherever it would take him, but the ships of Kaldar were not ordinary vessels. The caution of those owning and operating them induced a wary suspicion.

One Nadine shared but Dumarest had won her over.

Now she dangled a glittering bait.

Earth was the mythical treasure world of the galaxy. A planet of indescribable wealth. One holding mountains of rare and precious metals, dunes of gems, lakes of perfumes, oceans of wine, forests of trees bearing pods which held the cure for all ills. The inflated promise of legend yet the allure remained. Find Earth and gain the prize of all time. Out there for the talking.

"Dumarest is convinced he can find it," she said. "He is willing to back himself with a fortune. All he wants is a ship to carry him."

"Then let him find one elsewhere."

"And lose all the potential profit?" Dieter scowled at the suggestion. "Don't be a fool, Ivernal. We daren't turn him down. Think how it will look to others. The chance to find the richest prize ever dreamed of thrown away by scared old men? You know what would be said and done. We'll be targets for every frustrated youngster on the planet. We wouldn't last a week."

Ozenne said, "You say he has the coordinates, Nadine. Have you seen them? Did he give you any proof?"

"He isn't lying."

"But the figures?"

"He didn't give them to me," she admitted. "Would you?"

"No, I suppose not. But he'll have to give them to the captain. Who will it be?"

She took her time before answering, knowing she trod on delicate ground. Few ships were owned by an individual. Costs were too high and most were owned by combines with shares sold to those willing to gamble. Crews and captains the same. Dieter''s warning applied to more than frustrated youngsters. Who best to select?

"Wine?" Brak Sorenson had held himself in reserve. Now he acted to take the pressure off his niece. As he limped around the table filling glasses he said, casually, "While we're on the subject, who will take over the Geniat now that Toibin is dead?"

"Uncle, that can wait."

"Of course. It's just that he was readying for action and -" He broke off, shrugging. "I guess it doesn't matter."

A clever man, one who knew better than to say too much or press too hard, but the seed had been sown and Nadine shared his silence as discussion swept the table. All had preferences, Jumay arguing with Ozenne, Dieter with Musson. Calbray with Ivernal. As the noise mounted Nadine rapped on the board.

"If the proposition is going to create strife among us it had best be abandoned. A pity. The potential is vast but Dumarest will have to try elsewhere."

As if on cue Musson said, "You've given this some thought, Nadine. What do you advise?"

"That we forget our differences and waste no time in reaching agreement. Dumarest has much to offer but isn't the most patient of men. Many hold him in high regard since his fight with Toibin and will not take kindly to his rejection. There are those who want to rid themselves of the restrictions we have imposed. There has been talk of changes." She looked at Suke Jumay. "Some of it close to home."

"Mel is a hothead," he admitted. He rasped his chin, remembering how the youngster had defied him over the damage caused by the fire. Pride had made him meet the cost from his own pocket, but where would the defiance end? "He needs action."

"He isn't alone," said Nadine. "There aren't enough opportunities to keep he and his kind busy. To raid we need ships. To meet costs we must have profitable targets. Dumarest is offering us a golden opportunity. The accumulated wealth of an entire world!"

A theme she harped on as she went into detail. With Toibin dead his ship needed a captain and she had just the man in mind. Lief Chapman who belonged to no combine and old enough to be cautious, stubborn enough not to be easily swayed, rich enough to contribute. One with experience now fretting at inactivity and yearning to get back into space. A man they could trust.

Points they could appreciate.

She gave them others. An idle vessel made no profits. The Geniat was almost ready to leave. The crew could contain most of the disaffected. A large compliment would offer the chance of many gaining experience and also provide a garrison to establish a claim on Earth. Dumarest would command the expedition.

"Command?" Jumay shook his head. "No. He'll be a passenger."

"And a guide."

"All we need are the coordinates."

"We have to be sure of him." Nadine was patient. "The reward is too great for us to take unnecessary chances. Give him nothing but passage and he has no real commitment. Put him in command and offer him a share and we'll bind him to us." She appealed to their logic. "What have we to lose?"

Her own idea and a good one. Dumarest would accept the offer as he would agree to the condition she intended to impose. One Brak guessed as, after the others had gone, he voiced his displeasure.

"You can't do it, Nadine!"

"You can't stop me."

"But-"

"Don't try to talk me out of it!" She regretted her tone, but he was transparently easy to read and she was in no mood for an argument. "I'm going with Dumarest. With the expedition. It's what I want and what's going to happen."

"Nadine! For God's sake! You're all I have!"

The prisoner of his need and she turned from him, fighting her anger. Why couldn't he understand? Why must he cling so hard? Why couldn't he let her go?

Standing at the edge of the field Dumarest studied the Kaldari as they practiced their form of military exercise. They worked in groups, following coded signals, keeping to patterns of movement which provided mutual cover and protection. Drills common to the mercenary bands he had known, but where hired soldiers were intent on survival the Kaldari concentrated on speed. They had no interest in taking and holding territory or of limiting damage. Their aim was to raid and run. To attack, to kill to loot. They would attack like wolves, fight like cornered rats, die rather than yield. Individuals trained in the art of murder.

At his side Zehava said, "Look at them, Earl. Ready for anything. They'll go wherever you want. Do anything you order. Why not help me make the final decision?"