H. B. Fyfe

“ He pulled himself together, aware that Wilkins had noticed his hesitation.
"So the Jursans seek to soften our just anger?" he said. "They send their surrender by one who is obviously the loveliest jewel of their misguided world."
A few of the courtiers snickered dutifully. Vyrtl was annoyed; he had not meant to be funny. He glanced swiftly at the half-dozen wives present, but their expressions showed no jealousy. He decided that the empty-headed creatures had at least learned not to embarrass him publicly.
"Your Illustrious Sublimity is too gracious," replied the envoy. ”

“ He smirked delightfully when Vyrtl caught sight of the lozards tethered at one side.
"By Pollux!" exclaimed the Emperor, his eye brightening. "We hadn't expected the pleasure of riding till this was over."
"He tells me they have built a forest, Sire," reported the aide. "About half a mile square. At least, you will have some relaxation."
"Good! It is all very well playing the soldier and roughing it informally, but a man must have something!" ”

“ Returning to the palace, he strode into the audience chamber and signaled for the envoy to be admitted. Still warm from his ride and insultingly disheveled, he sat in the imitation of the great throne on his capital planet, Hebryxid.
"If he isn't brisk," he muttered to Wilkins, "we may teach him promptness by hunting him through the forest tomorrow."
Above the whispers of hastily assembled officers, courtiers, and a few of Vyrtl's wives, a chamberlain announced, "The Jursan envoy, Daphne Foster."
"A woman?" murmured Vyrtl. ”

“ He tossed another pebble and stared at the ripples.
"I suppose every man has his ideal of a woman," he said. "I doubt that any man has seen his absolute ideal—except me. I wonder if you know what it does to one?"
He chose a flat pebble and sent it skipping across the surface with a vicious snap of his wrist. It bounced three ... four ... five times, and sank.
"I presume," said Daphne Foster, breaking a tight little silence, "that you will grant me time to set my affairs in order?"
Vyrtl weighed a pebble in his hand. ”

“ A net of tiny, glittering jewels was woven into the black hair that hung to her shoulders. Her features were regular, but expressively alive compared to the artificial placidity of the court beauties. ”

“ He waved a hand at the artificial forest.
"It has been like that ever since. They fall all over themselves to devise new ways of getting my attention and to present pleasures and entertainment I am incapable of enjoying. ”

“ This etext was produced from Planet Stories March 1951. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
Vyrtl weighed a pebble in his hand. "You expect to be executed," he stated flatly.
the envoy, Her
by H. B. Fyfe
The Emperor must be getting old, they thought, to deal so mercifully with the upstart Jursan Rebels—which was quite true. ”