He walked through the knot of men and stopped before a tall, lean, blond youth in a light-blue military uniform. “And you, Major Odal, will be a primary instrument in the first steps of conquest.”
Odal bowed stiffly. “I only hope to serve my Leader and my Worlds.”
“You shall. And you already have,” Kanus said, beaming. “Already the Acquatainians are thrashing about like a snake whose head has been cut off. Without Dulaq, they have no brain to direct them. For your part in this triumph . . .” Kanus snapped his fingers, and one of his advisers quickly stepped to his side and handed him a small ebony box, “I present you with this token of the esteem of the Kerak Worlds, and of my personal high regard.”
He handed the box to Odal, who opened it and took out a small jeweled pin.
“The Star of Kerak,” Kanus announced. “This is the first time it has been awarded to anyone except a warrior on the battlefield. But, then, we have turned their so-called civilized dueling machine into our own battlefield, eh?”
Odal smiled. “Yes, sir, we have. Thank you very much, sir. This is the supreme moment of my life.”
‘To date. Major. Only to date. There will be other moments, even higher ones. Come inside. We have many plans to discuss … more duels , . . more triumphs.”
They all filed into Kanus’ huge, elaborate office. The Leader walked across the plushly ornate room and sat at the elevated desk, while his followers arranged themselves on the chairs and couches placed about the floor. Odal remained standing, near the doorway.