If the Empire ever came so far, it would not be in our lifetime.
I went to Marja and Dio and circled them both with my arms.
“The farther, the better,” I said.
Lawton glanced at me. For a moment I thought he would protest. Then he changed his mind, smiled in his friendly, reserved way, and rose. Regret and farewell were in the gesture.
“I’ll arrange that, too,” he said.
Three days later we were in space.
Darkover! Bloody sun! What has become of you? My world is fair, but at sunset there are times when I remember the towers of Thendara, and the mountains I have known. An exile may “be happy, but he is an exile, no less. Darkover, farewell! You are Darkover — no more!