"Grateful?" roared Wienis.
"Grateful that they begrudge us the merest dregs, while keeping space knows what for themselves - and keeping it with what purpose in mind?
Why, only that they may some day rule the Galaxy."
His hand came down on his nephew's knee, and his eyes narrowed.
"Lepold, you are king of Anacreon.
Your children and your children's children may be kings of the universe - if you have the power that the Foundation is keeping from us!"
"There's something in that."
Lepold's eyes gained a sparkle and his back straightened.
"After all, what right have they to keep it to themselves?
Not fair, you know.
Anacreon counts for something, too."
"You see, you're beginning to understand.
And now, my boy, what if Smyrno decides to attack the Foundation for its own part and thus gains all that power?
How long do you suppose we could escape becoming a vassal power?
How long would you hold your throne?"
Lepold grew excited.
"Space, yes.
You're absolutely right, you know.
We must strike first.
It's simply self-defense."
Wienis' smile broadened slightly.
"Furthermore, once, at the very beginning of the reign of your grandfather, Anacreon actually established a military base on the Foundation's planet, Terminus - a base vitally needed for national defense.
We were forced to abandon that base as a result of the machinations of the leader of that Foundation, a sly cur, a scholar, with not a drop of noble blood in his veins.
You understand, Lepold?
Your grandfather was humiliated by this commoner.
I remember him!
He was scarcely older than myself when he came to Anacreon with his devil's smile and devil's brain - and the power of the other three kingdoms behind him, combined in cowardly union against the greatness of Anacreon."
Lepold flushed and the sparkle in his eyes blazed.
"By Seldon, if I had been my grandfather, I would have fought even so."
"No, Lepold.
We decided to wait - to wipe out the insult at a fitter time.
It had been your father's hope, before his untimely death, that he might be the one to - Well, well!"
Wienis turned away for a moment.
Then, as if stifling emotion,
"He was my brother.
And yet, if his son were-"
"Yes, uncle, I'll not fail him.
I have decided. It seems only proper that Anacreon wipe out this nest of troublemakers, and that immediately."
"No, not immediately.
First, we must wait for the repairs of the battle cruiser to be completed.
The mere fact that they are willing to undertake these repairs proves that they fear us.
The fools attempt to placate us, but we are not to be turned from our path, are we?"
And Lepold's fist slammed against his cupped palm.
"Not while I am king in Anacreon."
Wienis' lip twitched sardonically.
"Besides which we must wait for Salvor Hardin to arrive."
"Salvor Hardin!"
The king grew suddenly round-eyed, and the youthful contour of his beardless face lost the almost hard lines into which they had been compressed.
"Yes, Lepold, the leader of the Foundation himself is coming to Anacreon on your birthday - probably to soothe us with buttered words.
But it won't help him."