“Now,” she said, and her voice in its hard practicality made me sit up. “The Savanti have set their hands to the work they consider proper for Kregen, for they are of that world and are a last faint remnant of a once mighty race. You have heard of them as the Sunset People or the Sunrise People. The Savanti have at heart the well-being of apims, Homo sapiens like yourself. As for the Star Lords, their plans are different, wider and more universe-embracing, and I shall tell you only that you will have to make a choice one day, and the choice will be the hardest thing you have ever done.”
“Put me back on Kregen and I will choose!”
“Oh, yes, Pur Dray! You would promise anything now, just to return. I know.”
“Can you—?”
Her look made me hold my foolish tongue.
“Am I not here? Do you requi
