her own ends. Every decision she had tricked me
into making, and the bribe or favors she had gotten for it were
carefully noted. Her comments on how she would train our child and use
him at a future date just about broke me.
157 I kept the diaries a secret, spent the rest of my term in office
undoing as many of the decisions I had wrongfully made as possible.
And I have spent the seasons alone, tracking down every person that my
mate so viciously destroyed to get her way, and restoring as best I
can, their pride and dignity.
158 As you can tell, by my present surroundings, I have not made many
friends in doing so. As a matter of fact, your old acquaintances have a
price on my head; totaling one-thousand-one-hundred credits! There has
been twelve attempts on my life in the last three seasons. Now, do you still want to go back and
recommend to your Young Speaker that I be his candidate for World
Speaker?"
159 Bullet put his hands together and spread his fingers. "Damn right!"
he snapped. "Now, more than ever! Any man with THAT big a price on his
head must be someone The Hoods fear, and if they fear you, that means
you are worth having, 'cause you can 't be intimidated or bribed. I
like what I've heard, and would like to have you come back with us and
have a talk with The Young Speaker."
160 "All in good time!" announced Bright Serpent. "Right now I think
it's time to freshen up and have the evening meal."
161 The Secretary appeared, helped him out of the chair, handing him
two canes. "One of the Guards will be here in a few minutes to show you
your quarters. I have to attend to some other things. You will excuse
me."
162 He slowly made his way to the passages on the far side of the room.
The Guard appeared in the