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reward he would soon reap. He could not afford to defile his carefully laid plans with silly sentiment.
    Leaving the opulent furnishings of his suite, he strode quickly down the hall. He had sent Selina to fetch the old man only moments ago. The sooner they partook of the morning meal, the sooner the goodbyes would be said and his plans set in motion. He smiled smugly. No one knew the secrets of the blue stone which lived within the great Mountain of Life; not even his uncle. The tales of old had haunted Bartok since he was but a mere child. And now they rattled through his mind like a lost lullaby, elusive words without rhyme or rhythm.
    Several hours later, Bartok leaned solicitously toward his uncle as they walked to the holding bay. “ I am very sorry you must leave so soon, Uncle. It has been my honor to have you here. ”
    Saatan waited patiently as the pod was readied that would carry him to his waiting ship in orbit high above the planet. It would take a half moon ’ s passing to reach it. Quickly covering the speculative gleam in his still perceptive eyes, he turned toward his nephew. “ It has been good to be with you, son. ” He patted the younger man ’ s shoulder with seeming affection. “ Would you do an old man a favor and allow your beautiful companion to accompany me to my ship? ”
    Bartok glanced at Selina. “ Of course, my uncle. She is at your disposal. ”
    With a slight bow, Saatan motioned Selina to precede him into the pod. “ I will see she is returned without harm. ”
    Saatan held the smile until the doors of the pod swished closed before turning to the waiting woman. “ You, my dear, have much work ahead. You must find out what Bartok is planning. That nephew of mine has discovered something. ”
    “ I know nothing, my lord. ” Selina bowed.
    “ Do not pretend with me, you lying whore, ” he roared. “ How else would he allow you to enter my quarters? Are you to make me talk with your nubile body? He would have done better to send an Argonian pit dweller to my bed. ” He spat the words to the now cowering female. “ Do you weave from pallet to pallet on Palermos, milking the secrets from the male populous? Do you not think I know of your late night visits to the guard house? ” At her gasp of surprise, he laughed. “ You have no secrets of your own. Have you served every man in Atmos? ” The thought of her with others inflamed his desire. The treacherous beauty would favor him again. The trip to Yulon would be long and cold. He parted his robes, coming to stand before her as she knelt.
    “ Service me. ” He thrust his lipid rod forward, savoring the feel of her mouth on his skin. Soon he would not have this weakness of the flesh. Soon he would be all powerful.
    When he had achieved satisfaction, he rearranged his robing and drew the woman to her feet. “ Bartok has sent an expedition to the Mountain of Life. I must know what he is after. ” His voice lowered as he caressed the fullness of her breasts. “ Do this for me and I will send you a thousand quecs. ” His hand tightened painfully, making her cry out. “ Cross me and I will feed this luxurious flesh to the males who inhabit the Yulonian Mountains. Find the secret of Palermos my nephew has discovered, ” he ordered as the pod docked. “ Or live to regret the day you were born. ”
    * * *
    After seeing his uncle on board his pod, Bartok walked down one of the many winding stone staircases of the palace. Reaching the bottom he stood for several seconds, letting his eyes adjust to the gloom. Several more paces brought him directly in front of the first cell. The air was damp and the smell in the dungeon was putrid. Pulling a scented scarf from his pocket, he held it daintily to his nose.
    He looked at the three occupants of the small cubicle as each lay sleeping on their flea infested pallets. There had been a time when those before him had meant more to him than life itself. Now all he wanted to see was their fear.