The Chalice of Death by Robert Silverberg Page A

It wouldn’t be ethical for me to speak of such matters to you.”
    â€œWell enough. But if the fleet’s not left yet, that means one of two things—either they’re about to leave, or else they don’t know where to go!”
    â€œI lean toward the latter,” said Carso. “Earth’s a misty place. I expect they’re desperately combing the old legends now for some hint.”
    â€œIf we were to obtain three Kariadi battlecruisers, and ambush the Joran fleet as it came down on Earth …” Helna mused aloud.
    â€œCould we?” Navarre asked.
    â€œYou’re in Kariadi garb. What if I obtained an appointment in our space navy for you, Navarre? And then ordered you out—with a secondary fleet on—ah—maneuvers? Say, to the vicinity of Earth?”
    â€œAnd then I tell my crewmen that war has been declared between Jorus and Kariad, and set them to destroying the unsuspecting Joran fleet!” Navarre went on.
    â€œNot destroying,” said Helna. “Capturing! We make sure your battle wagons are equipped with tractor-beams—and that way we add the Joran ships to our growing Terran navy.”
    Carso gave his approval with a quick nod. “It’s the only way to save Earth. If you can handle the appointments, Helna.”
    â€œMarhaill is a busy man. I can take care of him. Why, he was so delighted to see me return after a year’s time that he didn’t even ask me where I had been!”
    Navarre frowned. “One problem. Suppose Kausirn doesn’t know where Earth is? What if no Joran fleet shows up? I can’t keep your Kariadi on maneuvers forever out there, waiting for the enemy.”
    â€œSuppose,” said Helna, “we make sure Kausirn knows. Suppose we tell him.”
    Carso gasped. “I may have been drinking, but I can’t be that drunk. Did you say you’d tell Kausirn where our settlements are?”
    â€œI did. It’ll take the suspense out of the pressure of his threat. And it’ll add a Joran fleet to a Kariadi one to form a nucleus of the new Terran navy—if the space battle comes out properly.”
    â€œAnd what if Kausirn sends the entire Joran armada out against your puny three ships? What then?”
    â€œHe won’t,” said Navarre. “It wouldn’t be a logical thing to do. Earth is known to be defenseless. Kausirn wouldn’t needlessly leave Jorus unguarded by sending out any more ships than he needs for the job.”
    â€œI still don’t like the idea,” Carso insisted, peering moodily at the oily surface of his beer. “I don’t like the idea at all.”

Chapter Ten
    Four days later Navarre, registered as Melwod Finst at the Hotel of the Red Sun, received an engraved summons to the Oligocrat’s court, borne by a haughty Kariadi messenger in red wig and costly livery.
    Navarre accepted the envelope and absently handed the courier a tip; insulted, the messenger drew back, sniffed at Navarre, and bowed stiffly. He left, looking deeply wounded.
    Grinning, the Earthman opened the summons. It said:
    By These Presents Be It Known
    That Marhaill, Oligocrat of Kariad, does on behalf of himself and his fellow members of the Governing Council invite
    MELWOD FINST
    of Kariad City to Court on the seventh instant of the current month.
    The said Finst is therein to be installed in the Admiralty of the Navy of Kariad, by grace of private petition received and honored.
    The invitation was signed only with the Oligocrat’s monogram, the scrollwork M within the diamond. But to the right of that, in light pencil, were the initials H. W ., scrawled in Helna’s hand.
    Navarre mounted the document on the mantel of his hotel room and mockingly bowed before it. “All hail, Admiral Finst! Melwod Finst of the Kariadi navy!”
    Court was crowded the following day when Navarre, in a rented court costume, appeared to claim his Admiralty. The long throne