instruments. I was merely conjecturing.'
Sol persisted. 'Serve me for a year, and I will give you back a portion of your name. It is your mind I require, for it is better than mine.'
'My mind!' But the black-haired one was intrigued. He had spoken of the mountain, but did not really want to die. There were many curious things remaining to be fathomed, many books to be studied, many thoughts to be thought. He had employed his weapon in the circle because it was the established method of manhood, but despite his erstwhile prowess and physique he was a scholar and experimenter at heart.
Sol was watching him. 'I offer-Sos.'
'Sos-the weaponless,' he said, mulling it over. He did not like the sound of it, but it was a reasonable alternative, close to his original name. 'What would you want me to do, in return for the name?'
'The training, the camp, the building of empire you described-I want you to do it for me. To be my fighter of the mind. My advisor.'
'Sos the advisor.' The notion grew on him, and The name sounded better. 'The men would not listen to me. I would need complete authority, or it would come to nothing. If they argued, and I with no weapon-'
'Who argues, dies,' Sol said with absolute conviction. 'By my hand.'
'For one year-and I keep the name?'
'Yes.'
He thought of the challenge of it, the chance to test his theories in action. 'I accept the offer.'
They reached across the table and shook hands gravely. 'Tomorrow we begin the empire,' Sol said.
The girl looked up. 'I would come with you,' she said. Sol smiled, not looking at her. 'She wants your bracelet again, Sos.'
'No.' She was troubled, seeing her hints come to nothing. 'Not-without-'
'Girl,' Sol reminded her sternly, 'I want no woman. This man fought well; he is stronger than many who still bear weapons, and a scholar, which I am not. You would not be shamed to wear his emblem.'
She thrust out her lip. 'I would come-myself.'
Sol shrugged. 'As you wish. You will cook and wash for us, until you take a man. We will not be staying in a cabin always, though.' He paused, thinking of something. 'Sos, my advisor-is this wise?'
Sos studied the woman, now petulant but still lovely. He tried, not to be moved by her cleavage. 'I do not think so. She is excellently proportioned and a talented cook, but headstrong. She would be a disruptive influence, unattached.'
She glared at him. 'I want a name, as you do!' she snapped. 'An honorable name.'
Sol crashed his first against the table so hard the vinyl surface flexed. 'You anger me, girl! Do you claim the name I give lacks honor?'
She retreated hastily. 'No, man of all weapons. But you do not offer it to me.'
'Take it, then!' He flung his golden bracelet at her. 'But I need no woman.'
Baffled but exultant, she picked up the heavy piece am squeezed it together to fit her wrist. Sos looked on, ill at ease.
CHAPTER TWO
Two weeks later they struck the red markers of warning in the open country to the north. The foliage did not change, but they knew there would be few animals and no men beyond the sinister line of demarcation. Even those who chose to die preferred the mountain, for that was a quick, honorable leavetaking, while the badlands were reputed to bring torture and horror.
Sol stopped, discommoded by the markers. 'If it is safe, why are they still here?' he demanded. Sola nodded heartily, unashamed of her fear,
