There came a light tap at the door connecting their end room with the adjoining set. Jarlik stepped lightly as a cat to unlock it. Kole slid through and closed the panel behind him.

"Neat, eh?" he asked.

"She's a pretty one, yes," said Hanse. "But how will that help us?"

"Why, she's going out to shop this afternoon. Shell be bringing in parcels of all sizes and shapes. She will wear me completely out, paying for her purchases. And of course I shall buy some few matters for myself, too." He looked at their shabby uniforms, the noticeable robes.

"If you are to go to the palace tomorrow for the Great Revelation, you need to look a bit more sharp," he said.

The light dawned for them all. They would be outfitted with fresh clothing, even disguises, if necessary—all in a completely unsuspicious way. Even if Kolek were being kept under close surveillance, who would guess?

"The backstairs go down through the servants' quarters and end in an alley on Leather Street You can go out after dark without seeing a soul. I know, because I've done it many a time. Prillie used to live in this set of rooms, instead of those next door." He looked sly.

"Don't ever tell my father, but I expect to marry the girl, when I'm ready to settle down and find work. Father will never consent, and will probably cut me off without a credit so I'll have to be the one to make our living."

Hanse smiled broadly. "Come to me when you decide to take a job," he said. "I can always use sneaky people."

Kole nodded. "I thought you might," he said wryly. "Now I'd better go and help to buy out the town."

With a plan in progress, the five relaxed enough to nap the afternoon away. It was well done, too, because nobody could possibly have slept when the procession of parcels began to arrive next door. Sep, peering through a crack in the door, exclaimed at the variety of delivery people going and coming in the passage.

It took an hour and a half for all the bundles, packages, boxes, and bags to come to roost in the apartment next door. Then Prillie whispered at the connecting doorway, and the fugitives tiptoed into her bedroom, which was piled high with goods.

There was a gorgeous gown for Sep, but she was aghast at the idea of a Mech Warrior wearing a cloth-of-gold overdress over full-legged pantaloons of white silk. Not to mention the jewels for hair and hands and bosom.

"You will never be recognized as Candent Septarian," said Hanse. "And it will get us into the grounds, I am sure. Besides, everyone will be staring so hard at you that nobody will notice any of the rest of us."

"Many thanks, Highness," growled Sep. "Once inside, we can get to barracks, where I can change. And then we'll be just another unit of the Guard, back on duty after leave. Denek has posted the orders."

For the men, there were formal uniforms. Kole had even managed to find the proper medals for Hanse and Ardan, while for Ref and Jarlik he had provided campaign clusters that put them into many places where neither had ever set foot But they looked impressive.

Everyone tried on his splendid clothing, then took it all off again and fidgeted through the night The announcement was to take place at midday. They must dress and be out of the house before the streets were busy. The desert robes would be used to good advantage again, covering Sep's grandeur and Hanse's distinctive figure. The formal uniforms were quiet enough to pass by day, though they were a bit fancy for most tastes.

"Kole says to enter the palace grounds with the throng, as soon as the gates open," said Prillie through the keyhole, as they got ready to depart. "And good luck to you all. This has been great fun!"

"Take care, Prillie," Sep replied for all of them, then they scurried down the dark stairway and into the streets of Avalon.

People were already moving about. Not only the early deliverymen in the thoroughfares, but crowds heading for the palace in order to get good places to wait out the morning. There would not be room for everyone who wanted to hear their ruler's announcement, and so people would be queuing up near the Palace walls to get into the grounds.

The five were lost in a throng so varied and colorful that Sep removed her robe. Even her cloth-of-gold wasn't noticeable, so gay were the garments of those about her. Only Hanse continued to conceal his face and figure.

They approached the palace grounds, working their way through the crowd until they reached the wall itself. Once there, Hanse motioned them to follow him along the ferro-crete expanse.

They rounded a corner. At a small door set deeply into the wall, Hanse paused for the retinal scan, then the door sighed open.

They shot through and closed the panel behind them, hidden now in a remote corner of the garden. Across its colorful expanse was the terrace from which Ardan had bitterly surveyed the scene so many months ago. The barracks were off to their left, behind a maze of walls and hedges.

They hurried through the plantings, around corners and through unexpected arbor-gates in the hedges. Once they saw a servant in the distance. He looked at them, startled, but they were gone before he could say a word.

The barracks buildings were abuzz. Sep hid in a hedge to strip off her finery. Beneath it was her old uniform, and she stepped out as herself, not as a painted Court lady. The others lined up behind her as she strode up the wide steps of the second building, where were her permanent quarters.

Sep's retinal scan at the door got them inside without question. She turned toward the office of the officer of the day and snapped to attention as Fram turned crossly from a pile of paperwork to glare at the newcomers.

His mouth opened. He sprang to his feet and rounded the desk, pounding Ardan's shoulder, greeting Ref and Jarlik, catching Sep into a bear hug. "You made it! By golly, you made it! And who's this?"

He was looking sharply at Hanse's hooded shape.

"The order should say Candent Septarian and group..." Sep's tone was a bit severe.

Fram looked at the posted notices. Then he nodded. "Exactly."

"This is part of the group. Now go back to work. And if Denek comes in, send him along to my quarters. We have a lot to talk about."

"And not much time to do it in. The big announcement happens in another two hours," Fram said. "We have to be on duty at the gates and in the grounds at eleven hundred hours.

"I'll see you then. Change the order, Fram, and put Ardan, Jarlik, Ref, and"—she glanced at Hanse—"Hannes behind the dais where the Prince is to speak. Can do?"

He looked curious, but nodded obediently. "Can do. What about you?"

"Check my WarHammerout of storage for me, will you?"

Fram glanced uncertainly at Ardan. "You agree, sir?" he asked.

Ardan was chuckling. When he had left Sep to learn to take command, he had wondered how she would deal with those under her. Now he knew. She had the knack and used it well.

"I don't know what she's planning, but I trust her judgment. Check her out, Fram. And tell Denek that he's relieved of command, if he wants to be. Or if he'd like to remain in place until after today, that will be fine, too."

Fram grunted, turning back to his paperwork. The sight of the feckless fellow chained to a desk amused Ardan mightly.

They followed Sep to her quarters, as Ardan felt it would be unlikely that his own were still available. Those in charge of this new government knew that he was supposed to be imprisoned and awaiting execution, or worse.