Camille Pissarro Still Life with Apples and Pitcher

and the Potent Voyager will be doomed to spin away into the interterrapene gulf. I have already set the automatic controls, so-"
"All right, all right," the Arch-astronomer said, waving him away. "The launch must go ahead. Maintain the watch on the harbour, of course. When the wretched pair are caught I will personally take a great deal of pleasure in executing them myself."
"Yes, lord. Er-"
The Arch-astronomer frowned. "What else have you got to say, man?"
The Launchcontroller swallowed. All this was very unfair on him, he was a practical magician rather than a diplomat,he said. It is one of its prime attributes. Have it dealt with. And-Master Launchcontroller?"
"Lord?"
"If I am further vexed, you will recall that two people are due to be sacrificed. I may feel generous and increase the number."
"Yes, lord. The Master Launchcontroller scuttled away, relieved to be out of the and that was why some wiser brains had seen to it that he would be the one to pass on the news."A monster has come out of the sea and it's attacking the ships in the harbour," he said. "A runner just arrived from there.""A big monster?" said the Arch-astronomer."Not particularly, although it is said to be exceptionally fierce, lord."The ruler of Krull and the Circumfence considered this for a moment, then shrugged."The sea is full of monsters,"