"But the malfunction of the vessel? How could he have known that we would go to Scar?"
"Because he wanted to go there," said Dumarest flatly. "Where the Cyclan are concerned, there is no such thing as chance. On your own admission you rule a poor world. Men are human, the Cyclan is powerful and a poor man would think twice at defying them. And so a small malfunction of the ship, a captain who mentions a peculiar circumstance. Given your preoccupation with destiny, the rest was inevitable."
Jocelyn nodded thoughtfully as he sat in his chair. "Destiny," he said. "Could not the Cyclan themselves be instruments of fate?"
"They could," admitted Dumarest. "Brother Jeffrey could answer you better than I."
He caught Adrienne's start and inwardly smiled. Give it time and the gentle power of the Universal Brotherhood would dull her ambition. Once beneath the benediction light, she would discover an unexpected happiness in being gentle, kind, considerate and thoughtful of others-and she would be conditioned against seeking the death of another.
"The ring," said Jocelyn abruptly. "I understand that you trapped the factor, that the man hadn't spoken at all, but why should he want it?"
"He didn't," said Dumarest. "The Cyclan did-does," he corrected, looking at the ruby fire on his left hand. "But he tried to collect it for them. I thought at first it might be the gambler who was responsible for sending those men after me, but Ewan was innocent. He even tried to warn me and went so far as to speak of a ring. He wouldn't have done that if he had been involved."
Adrienne was curious. "I still can't understand why they want it, Earl. Do you know why?"
"No, my lady."
But he could guess how they had conducted their search: an extrapolation of his probable journeys and a supra-radio call to certain factors in the area where they predicted he would be. Del Meoud would have been eager to please so powerful an organization and others would be also.
Jocelyn cleared his throat. "One more thing," he said. "Why did you send for me?"
"As a witness, my lord."
"A witness? On Scar where there is no law." The ruler of Jest shook his head. "You are discreet, Earl, but I can guess the reason. You suspected that I might be involved, working with the cyber in order to steal your treasure. If I had you would have killed me."
"Yes, my lord."
"At least you are honest and do not lie," said Jocelyn. "Not when it is unnecessary, and I cannot blame you. Your sojourn in the water could not have been pleasant."
Dumarest smiled at the understatement. "What have you done with the golden spore, my lord?"
"Baron Haig has taken it in his charge. He is sure that it will be possible to breed it under controlled environments on Jest. Always before expense has limited the quantity available, but with the large amount you obtained he has enough and to spare for errors." Jocelyn sighed with pleasant anticipation. "It will make us wealthy, Earl. Independent of external aid. We might even be able to end the struggles of those who seek it on Scar."
"They wouldn't thank you for it, my lord," said Dumarest.
"I suppose not," admitted Jocelyn. He looked at his guest. "We owe you much, Earl. Come with us to Jest. Agree and I will return a quarter of the value of the spore, and I will make you an earl. You will be the richest noble on the planet."
Dumarest felt the impact of Adrienne's eyes. "I am sorry, my lord. You know why I must refuse."
"To continue your quest, to hunt the bones of a legend?" Jocelyn leaned forward, his face intent. "Why not leave the decision to fate?" he suggested quietly. "You could have an earldom and a quarter of the value of the spore, a residence and a large estate, a wife, even children to bear your name. Is this not a fair exchange for a dream?"
"And you will be safe on Jest," said Adrienne. "The Cyclan will be unable to find you."
Light glittered from the metal as Jocelyn produced a coin. "Let fate decide. If the arms of Jest show uppermost you will accept all I have named and come with us."
"And if you lose, my lord?"
"The cost of ten high passages," said Jocelyn quickly, "yours before you leave this vessel. You agree?"
"Spin, my lord."
Together they watched the coin rise glittering into the air, followed it with their eyes as it fell and looked at the scarred representation of a man's head.
Adrienne caught her breath. "Earl!"
"I am sorry, my lady," said Dumarest. "It seems that fate has decided we must part."
"To wander, to drift from world to world, perhaps even to die. And you could be so comfortable and happy on Jest. Jocelyn, tell him he must not go!"
"No, I cannot do that," said Jocelyn. "The decision is made, but always he will be welcome on Jest." He looked at Dumarest. "Remember that."
He would remember; perhaps he would have reason to regret the lost chance. But he didn't think so. A man has to follow his destiny.