"I am coming, dear one," The Emperor answered.  He rose and clapped his hands, and everybody looked around.  "I bid you all a good rest," he announced, "all your needs are our desires.  So if you have any speak up.  I will see you again tomorrow, and perhaps if my wishes are met, many days afterwards.  Good evening!"
     "Good evening, sir!"  all the warriors answered.
     The Emperor headed for his bed.  "As soon as the Warlock is treated," he ordered, "put him in Doc's room.  That shall be his as long as he is with us."
     The Empress only nodded and said "Of course!"
     Several hours later the Warlock was returned and put to bed in a much more comfortable place.  In the throne room all The Humes were asleep, and it was perfectly quiet.  A Pulp seemed to come into existence out of the very shadows, themselves, and stood over Warlock Rice.
     "Go to where you wish to be," he remarked, "go to where you should be."  He held out his hand and the Warlock shimmered.  When the shimmering died away she was gone.  The Pulp nodded, and he, too, vanished. 
     In the morning Warlock Polley stirred.  He felt better.  He found himself in a very lavish bed that was extremely comfortable, and he became aware someone else was in it, too!  He pulled back the covers to find Warlock Rice snuggled up to him.  She wore nothing but her field dress undergarments.  The Warlock cleared his throat.  His companion opened her eyes, looked at him in utter bewilderment, pulled away from him, and wrapped the covers around her.
     "An explanation, Rice?" the Warlock asked.
     "Sir," his companion managed, "I don't know how I got here!  I was bed down in the throne room.  I would never just get in bed with you uninvited!"
     There was a rap and the Warlock cried out "Yes?"
     "May we enter?" came the voice of a female Pulp.
     "Yes!"  the Warlock answered, taking some covers to cover himself.
     The Empress and another young female entered.
     "Ah!  You are awake!" The Empress remarked.  "The sensor picked up your voices.  We must get you your breakfast, Commander, prepare and dress you.  The Emperor wishes to have an official audience with you.  Come!  Get up!"
     "That's a bit of a problem!" the Warlock remarked.  "Whoever put me in here neglected any garments."
     "Oh!"  The Empress remarked.  "There is a robe the tailors prepared hanging there by the bed.  Do not be embarrassed!  I have seen many bare male bodies in my time, and will see many more of them. As we have to bathe you and change your dressings we will be seeing far more anyway!  And do not object, those are  your physician's orders!  Now, come on!"
     The Warlock sighed, got up, and put on the robe.  He was motioned to a table.  "Well, come on, young woman!"  The Empress remarked.
     "I don't have a robe!"  Rice answered, "And it would be very inappropriate for me to be in the Commander's presence with so little on."

 Page 50

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