The Minister of Protocol faltered for half a second and stared at Morgan's profile. All around him, Dan could feel others turning to see who waited to be admitted. The Minister glanced back down at the card he held in trembling fingers, then spoke in a clear, firm voice. "I present Baron von Arc-Royal, Member Order of the Tamar Tigers, Knight Defender of the Draconis March, Regimental Holder of the Order of St. George, Colonel Morgan Kell of the Kell Hounds."

The musicians, startled by the death of conversation, faltered and stopped. Dancers spun to a halt, glanced at the string quartet, then let their gaze drift up toward Morgan. Most of the Mech-Warriors in the crowd were also staring at him as though he were an apparition, while several Commonwealth nobles looked as though they might have preferred a Kurita invasion to the presence of Morgan Kell. Definitely a grand entrance, Morgan.Dan smiled up at his Colonel, then turned to descend the steps. Morgan fell into step beside him, then both men froze in place as a hurried and shocked buzz of conversation flared up to fill the void.

Across the room, Archon Katrina Steiner had left her place in the receiving line. Though she kept her handsome face expressionless and her black gown restricted her hurried gait, pure joy shone in those famous silver-gray eyes. Her blond hair, still worn long, seemed to frame her face perfectly, bringing out her mature beauty.

Morgan descended and met her at the foot of the stairs. The Archon extended her hand. "Seeing you again, Colonel Kell, gives me more pleasure than you could ever know."

Morgan enfolded her hand in both of his. "I think you're wrong, Archon, because seeing you gives me equal pleasure." He smiled broadly and opened his arms. Sweeping her up in a hug that she gladly returned, Morgan held her tightly. "Damn it, Katrina. It's been far too long."

The Archon rubbed Morgan's broad back, then pulled away. Her voice dropped and the joy in her face clouded over. "I was so sorry to hear about Patrick. I share your loss."

Morgan stiffened, then nodded. "Thank you. But I know he made the sacrifice gladly." Looking past Katrina, Dan caught sight of the other royal Steiner, and he could not help but grin from ear to ear. "And this is Melissa . . ."

As tall as her mother and as beautiful, Melissa Arthur Steiner carried herself with grace and dignity. Mother and daughter had the same fair hair, but Melissa's was just a shade darker. It was set off by her silver gown, which clung to her lissome form like a second skin and whose abbreviated cape fell to mid-back. When she smiled back at Morgan, her beautiful gray eyes were as full of joy as the Archon's.

Morgan lunged forward and swept Melissa off her feet in a hug. Though a few among the guests gave sour, disapproving looks at such a breach of protocol, their frowns turned to smiles when Melissa shrieked delightedly.

Morgan set her down and nodded approvingly. "Last I saw you, Mel, you were all braids and black and blue."

Melissa nodded. "We went riding, you and me and Patrick..." She swallowed hard and dropped her gaze. "I ... Morgan ... I'm so sorry."

Morgan reached out and drew her to him. He whispered something in her ear, which Dan could not hear. He saw Melissa nod a couple of times, then sniff once, before Morgan released her. The Kell Hound commander turned and indicated Dan with his open right hand.

"Where have my manners gone? Katrina, Melissa, this is Captain Daniel Allard."

The Archon smiled warmly and extended her hand. Dan took it. A firm grip ... a Mech Warrior's grip. "It is the greatest of honors, Archon," he said.

Katrina Steiner nodded. "I am honored as well, Captain, for I've heard much of you. I appreciate your contribution toward rescuing the Silver Eagle.I trust your shoulder has recovered?"

Dan nodded. "Fully, thank you." Dan released the Archon's hand and turned to face Melissa. Careful, Dan. Remember Melissa's presence aboard theSilver Eagle is still classified."It is a very great pleasure to meet you, Archon-Designate." Dan flicked a glance at Morgan. "You are not at all the little girl Morgan described."

Melissa took Dan's extended hand lightly, as befitting a lady of good breeding, but gave his fingers a little squeeze. "Had I known the Kell Hound's officers were so handsome and men of such wit, I would have asked my mother to post them here on Tharkad."

The Archon shook her head. "For the sake of those on the Silver Eagle,thank God the Kell Hound secret was well-kept."

Melissa thrust out her lower lip in a mock-pout. "Mother, were it up to you, I'd have no fun at all." She smiled at Morgan. "I'm sure Colonel Kell would welcome a posting on Tharkad."

Morgan shook his head slowly. "Sorry Mel, but I'd never allow the Kell Hounds to be posted on Tharkad." He winked at Dan. "I'd never give my men such hazardous duty."

14

Tharkad

District of Donegal, Lyran Commonwealth

31 December 3027

Archon Katrina Steiner looked up and saw various individuals beginning to move toward her through the crowd. God, how swiftly the jackals begin to close.She slipped her hand through the crook of Morgan's left arm. "Morgan, this is not the place for private reminiscences. I feel a need for some air. If you would attend me?"

Morgan nodded. "A pleasurable duty, and an honor."

When her Minister of Protocol appeared suddenly, she took pity on him. Poor Franklin. He looks positively stricken."Surely, Minister Hecht," said the Archon, "there is a precedent for this somewhere." She glanced at her daughter. "And if not, let us create one. This is supposed to be a celebration, and my hands are tired from greeting everyone."

Franklin Hecht had become so flustered that his one long strand of mousy-brown hair no longer crossed his head in a vain attempt to hide his baldness, but dangled down alongside one ear. With agony plainly apparent on the man's face, Hecht delicately replaced the hair and looked at the Archon with sad eyes. "As you wish, my Archon."

Melissa smiled openly and hooked her left hand around Daniel Allard's right arm. "Think of it this way, Minister. Why be a slave to history when you can create it?" Melissa winked at the Minister, which raised the color on his cheeks. "Besides which, I want to dance with this handsome warrior, and I want to do it now!"

The Archon watched her daughter indulgently. I hope Hanse Davion realizes what he's gotten himself into,she thought, turning to the Minister. "Well, tell the musicians the Archon-Designate wishes to dance, and it is my wish that everyone should enjoy themselves in like manner." As Hecht scurried off through the crowd, the Archon led Morgan off toward a small side door guarded by two formally dressed LIC agents.

Passing through the door and down a short hallway, the pair reached the Archon's personal office. As they entered the room, Katrina released Morgan's arm. Standing in the center of the wood-paneled room, he slowly surveyed it. "It feels very much like you, Katrina," he said with an approving smile.

He pointed at her massive oaken desk and laughed aloud. Though made of wood, the desk was neither as old nor as exquisitely worked as the other pieces in the room. Stained a warm chocolate brown, it had a life to it that the other pieces lacked. "You've still got it. After all these years . . ."