EyeoftheZodiac
#13intheDumarestseries
E.CTubb
ChapterOne
Atnightthesoundwasthatofamonster,aferalroarwhichrosetotheskiesandwascarriedonthewind,ahungrygrowlinginterspersedwithstaccatoexplosionswhichthickenedtheairandleftanacridtaint.Atdaythemonsterwasrevealedasaconglomerationofmenandmachineswhichtoreintotheflankofamountain,delvingdeep,guttingancientstoneandpulverizingrockforthesakeofthemetalitcontained.
Adualoperation,themetalhelpingtopayforthepassandtunnelwhichwouldlinkinhabitedareas,apassagewhichwouldrobtheseaandskyofexpensiveanddangeroustransport.
Onedayitwouldbecompleted—butDumaresthadnointentionofseeingit.AlreadyhehadstayedonTradumtoolong.
Hestoodbythedoorofthehutwhichhousedfiftymen,lookingtowardsthewest,seeingthefabulousgloryofthesunset.Swathsofredandorange,pinkandgold,streamersofpurpleandemeraldcaughtandreflectedbythemistofscuddingcloudsothatheseemedtobelookingupwardatthesurfaceofsomeincredibleocean.
Arelaxingsight,somethingtoeasethefatiguebornofeighthourscontinuouslabor.Nowhefacedanothershiftasanextranight-guard.Hardworkbutaddedpay.Soon,hewouldhaveenough.
"Earl?"Heturnedassomeonecalled."Yououtthere,Earl?"
LeonHarvey,young,thin,hisfaceoldbeforeitstime.Hesteppedfromthehut,bunking,atoweloverhisarm.HisfacebrightenedashesawDumarest.
"Youshouldhavewokenme,"heaccused."YouknowhowNytheris—oncelateonthejobandyouloseit."
"Thatcouldbeagoodthing."
"Why?"Stung,hispridetouched,theyoungsterbridled."Don'tyouthinkIcantakeit?"
"Canyou?"
"SureIcan.I'mtired,true,butI'llgetoverit.Itjusttakesgettingusedto.Anyway,Ineedthemoney."
Wanted,notneeded,adifferenceDumarestrecognizediftheotherdidnot.Hemadenocomment,steppingtowhereatroughstoodbeneathalineoffaucets,strippingandstandingbeneathone,waterlavinghisheadandbodyashetwistedacontrol.
Coldwaterpipedfromamountainstream,numbingbutrefreshing,causinggoosepimplestoriseonhisskin,thechillaccentuatingthepallorofthethinlinesofoldscarswhichmarredhistorso.
Shivering,hislipsblue,Leonhastilyrubbedhimselfdown,
"You'retough,Earl,"hesaidenviously."Thatwater'sclosetofreezing."
Dumarestreachedforhistowel.InmanywaysLeonwasanuisance,buthecouldrecognizetheyoungster'sneed,evenbealittleamusedbyhisclaimtoaffinity.Hetoohadtraveled,afewtripstonearbyworlds,butitwasmorethanthatwhichhadwonhistolerance.Theboywasstar-crazed,filledwiththeyearningforadventure,unabletoseedirtandsqualorforwhatitreallywas.Oneday,perhaps,hewouldlearn.
"Earl—"
"Youtalktoomuch."
"HowelseamItolearn."LeonwatchedasDumarestdressed,wearingpants,sturdyknee-boots,atuniclonginthesleevesandfittinghigharoundthethroat.Thegrayplasticwasscuffedinseveralplaces,theglintofburiedmeshshowing,
Thegrayplasticwasscuffedinseveralplaces,theglintofburiedmeshshowing,metallicprotectionagainstthethrustofaknife,theripofaclaw.Reflectedlightfromthesettingsunwinkedfromthenine-inchbladewhichDumarestcarefullywipedbeforeslippingitintohisrightboot.
"Earl!"
"Whatnow?"
"Whenwegetthemoney—whenIgetit—canIgowithyou?"
"No."
"Whynot?Wecouldtraveltogether.Icouldhelpyou,maybe,and—whynot,Earl?"
Toomanyreasons,noneofwhichtheyoungsterwouldunderstand.Hisverydesireforcompanionshipshowedhowunfittedhewastofollowthewayhehadchosen.Amantraveledfasteralone.Itwaseasiertogetoneberththantwo.Andtwomenwouldbeeasiertospotthanone.
Dumarestsaid,"Forgetit,Leon."
"Why?Issomeoneafteryou?Isthatit,Earl?Areyouindangerofsomekind?"
Aguess—orperhapsacommenttooshrewdforcomfort.Certainlytoonearthetruth.Dumarestlookedattheyoungface,thehaggardnessitrevealed,thefatigue.Medicalsciencecouldhavemadehimappearyounger,intensivetrainingtaughthimaparttoplay,rewardsofferedandpromisesmade.Therecouldbeathousandlikehimscatteredonworldsinthissector,placedwhereadestitutetravelerwouldlookforwork,waiting,watchful,doingnothinguntilthetimecametoreporttotheirmasters.
WasLeonHarveyanagentoftheCyclan?
"Earl?"
"Nothing—Iwasthinking.Whereisyourhomeworld?"
"Nerth.Nottoofarfromhere.I—"
"Nerth.Nottoofarfromhere.I—"
"Nerth?"
"Yes.Earl,issomethingwrong?Yourface—"Dumarestforcedhimselftorelax.Itwascoincidence,itcouldbenothingmore.Anamewhichheldaspecialassociation.Nerth,Earth,anaccident,surely.Yethope,neverdead,respondedtothefamiliarsound.Alure,perhaps?IfLeonwasanagentoftheCyclan,hecouldhaveofferednogreaterenticement.
"Earth,"saidDumarest."YousaidEarth?"
"Earth?"Leonsmiled."Earl,areyoucrazy?Whothehellwouldcallanyplanetbythatname?No,IsaidNerth.It'saquietworld,tooquietforme,IranassoonasIgotthechance.AndI'mgoingtokeeponrunning.JustassoonasIgetenoughforapassageI'monmyway.RightsmacktowardstheCenter.You'vebeenthere,Earl?"
"Yes."
"Andyou'llcomewithme?"
"Beforewecangoanywhere,"saidDumarest."Weneedthemoney."
*
Theyallneededmoney,themenwhoworkedontheproject,contractslaveskillingthemselveswithlabortopayanever-expandingdebt.Menwhohadacceptedanadvance,spentmoneyonclothes,drinks,luxuryfoods.Theyhadtriedtorecoupbygamblingandhadlost.Theystoodinthemiddleofthehut,watchingwithenviouseyesasothers,luckierormoresensible,playedwithcashtheystillcouldcalltheirown.
Thelureofeasymoney,afortunatewinwhichwouldenablethemtopayoffwhattheyowed,accumulatealittlemore,getastakewithwhichtobeatthesystem.Somemanagedit,themajoritydidnot.Theywouldworkuntilthey
died,thevictimsofspeed-accentuatedrisks,ofhaste-compoundederrors.Foolswhohadwalkedwillinglyintoatrap.
ElgSonefwasnotoneofthem.Hewasabigman,squat,hisfaceseamed,theknucklesofbothhandsscarred,thespatulatefingerssurprisinglydeftashemanipulatedthedeckofcards.Everyhutheldoneofhiskind,themanwhoranthegame,whousedfistsandfeettocollectandtomaintainhismonopoly.
"Themoreyouputdownthemoreyoupickup,"hedroned.Hisvoicewasharsh,rasping,carelessoftheexhaustedmentryingtosleepinthedouble-tieredbunks."Comeon,lads,whyhesitate?Thecanteenhasanewconsignmentofliquorandyougetpaidintwodaystime.Alittleluckandyoucouldtakeyourpickoftheseraglio.Whywaitforluxuries?"Cardsriffledfromhisfingers."Makeyourbets.Evenmoneyonanychoice."
Thegamewashigh,low,man-in-between,asimplegamewithsimplerules.Aclothwasspreadonthetabledividedintothreesections,eachsectionwiththreeparts.Acardwasdealtfaceupbeforeeachofthethreemainsectionsandplayersbetonwhetheritwouldbethehighest,lowestor,theonebetweentheothersinvalue.Duplicatescanceledoutthemiddle.Ifallvalueswerealiketheypaidhigh.
Sonefwasplayingbyhisownrules,ignoringrelativeoddsandensuringthat,withallsectionscovered,hehadahighadvantage.Anadvantageincreasedbyhisownskillfuldealing.
Dumarestwatched,alittleamused,wonderinghowtheplayerscouldhavebeensogullible.AthissideLeonsaid,wistfully,"Earl,wecoulddoubleourstakeinafewminuteswithluck."
"Luck?"
"Youthinkhe'scheating?"
Dumarestwascertainofit,butitwasnothisconcern.Heturnedfromtheclusterofplayersandmovedtowardshisbunk,thumbingopenthesmallboxatthehead.Thetowelwasstilldamp,butifheleftitexposeditwouldbestolen.Hethrewitintothecontainerandslammeditshut.Itwouldstaythatwayuntilthelockrecognizedtheimprintofhisthumb.
thelockrecognizedtheimprintofhisthumb.
"It'sgettinglate,Leon.Let'seat."
Thecanteenwasacrudehutfilledwithtablesandbenches,staffedwitholdmenandcripples,ascatterofHyead.Dumareststeppedasideasonecametowardshimbusywithabroom.Athin,stoopedfigure,dressedinfilthyrobestiedwithknottedstring.Aravagedface,peaked,theeyesslottedlikethoseofagoat.Blunthornsroseaboveatangleofhair,grayshotwithrusset.Thehandswhichheldthebroomwerefour-fingeredclaws.
Despised,degenerate,theproductofwildmutations,foundrunninglikeanimalsinthemountainsbytheearlysettlersandnowusedasservitors.
Cheaplabor,workingfordiscardedclothingandscrapsoffood,kicked,cursed,orignoredbymenwhowerethemselveslittlebetterthanbeasts.
Dumarestledthewaytothecounter,pickingcarefullyatthefood,selectingitemshighinproteinandlowinbulk.Anexpensivechoice,butonewhichgavebetternutritionalvaluethanthesteamingchaffboughtbythemajority.
AstheyateLeonsaid,"Earl,howdidyouknowSonefwascheating?"
"DidIsayhewas?"
"No,butwashe?"
"Yousawthewayhedealt,cardsfaceupandusingnoregularrotation.Hewasmanipulatingthebets,lettingthelowstakeswin,takingthehigh.Onceyouknowhowtobottom-dealit'seasy."
"Couldyoudoit?"
Dumarestignoredthequestion."TellmeaboutNerth."
"It'sadump."
"And?"
"It'sjustaworld,Earl.Abackwater.Mostlyfarms,noindustries,hardlyanycities.Shipsarerare.Theyonlycalltopickupfursandgems,anddelivertools
cities.Shipsarerare.Theyonlycalltopickupfursandgems,anddelivertoolsandinstruments.Noonewithanysensewouldwanttogothere."
"Andyouran,"saidDumarestquietly."Why?"
"Whydidyou?"snappedLeon."Whatstartedyouonthemove?"Immediatelyhewascontrite."I'msorry,Iguessthat'snoneofmybusiness.Let'sjustsaythatIwasbored."
"Ayoungman,"saidDumarest."Youhadafamily,ahome?"
"Ifyoucancallitthat,yes."Leonstareddownathisplate,thenseemedtocometoadecision."Ibelongedtoacommune,Earl.Itlaywellbackinthehillsandwasasisolatedasyoucouldget.MaybeI'mafreakofsomekind,butIcouldn'tacceptwhattheyhadplannedforme.Thetests,theritual,thearrangedmarriage,theduties."Hislaughwasbitter."Theduties.Canyouguesswhattheywouldhavebeen?Justguardingalotofoldrecords.AKeeperoftheShrine.Intwentyyears,maybe,I'dhavemadeassistantGuardian.Infifty,ImighthaveevenbecometheHead.Fiftyyearsofdusting,brooding,worshiping—Icouldn'tfaceit,Ihadtorun."
"How?"
"I—doesitmatter?"
Aboy,twisted,unsettledaccordingtohisfellows,arebel,afailure.Someonewhowouldhaveplanned,waitedandstolenwhenthetimecame.Somethingofvaluewhichwouldhavebeensoldtogaintheinitialpassagemoney—anoldstoryandafamiliarone.Onlythenameheldanunusualconnotation.Nerth.
"Youspokeofrecords.Whatwerethey?"
"Books,papers,Idon'tknow."LeonshruggedatDumarest'sexpression."Ineversawthem.Theyareheldsacred.Aloadofsuperstitiousrubbish,ofcourse,butthereitis.Onceayearwehadaceremonyandeveryonecongregated,andchantedandactedlikeabunchoffools.I'mwelloutofit."
Coincidenceordesign?Ifthelatter,thentheboywasagoodactor,ifheweretheboyheappearedtobe.Aquestionwhichwouldhavetoberesolvedand
weretheboyheappearedtobe.Aquestionwhichwouldhavetoberesolvedandsoon.Adecisionmade—andifheguessedwrongthenhislifewouldbeatstake.
Dumarestleanedback,studyingtheyoungface,theeyes.WouldtheCyclanhavebeensoobvious?Thename,thetalkofancientrecords,asecrettobefound,ananswertobegainedperhaps.Theanswerforwhichhehadsearchedforsolong.
Nerth…NewEarth…Earth—therehadtobeaconnection.
"Earl?"Leonhadbecomeawareofthescrutiny."Isanythingwrong?"
"No."Dumarestrosetohisfeet."We'dbettergetmoving.I'lljoinyouatthehut."
"Whynotgotogether?"
Dumarestmadenoanswer,crossingtoavendingmachine,waitinguntiltheotherhadgonebeforefillinghispocketwithbarsofcandy.
*
Asusual,Nytherwasinafoulmood.Hestoodbehindhisdeskintheguardhut,abigmanwithacraggyfaceandhard,unrelentingeyes.Hisshouldersstrainedatthefabricofhisuniform,abolsteredlaserheavyathiswaist.HenoddedasDumarestenteredandcrossedtoatabletocollecthisequipment.
ToLeonhesaid,"Youlookedpeaked,boy.I'mnotsureyoucanhandlethejob."
"Icanhandleit."
"Maybe,butI'mputtingyouunderNygas.Ifyouwanttoquit,now'sthetime."
Athreatandawarning.Nygaswasnotedforhisferocity.Menwhosleptondutyunderhiscommandwokeupscreamingwithshatteredbones.
"I'mnotquitting."
"Thengetoutofhere."AstheboyleftNythersaidtoDumarest,"I'mputtingyouonfree-patrol,Earl.Workthesoutheasternsector.Itmeansanincreaseandadoublebonusifyoucatchanyonestealing.I'vehadagutfuloflossesandithastostop."
"Morelightswouldhelp."
"Morelights,moremenandmoreequipment,"agreedNytherbleakly."Giventhemoney,there'salwaysananswer.Butwehaven'tgotthemoneysoit'snousedreamingaboutit.Juststayalert,keepmoving,summonhelpifyouthinkyouneedit,andrememberthebonus."
Outsidenighthadfallen,theareailluminatedbyfloodlightssetonpylons,swathsofbrilliancecutbypathsofshadow,thefaceoftheworkingsablazeofeye-brightglare.Menmovedaboutitlikeants,machinesthrobbing,diggers,loaders,trucks,makinganendlesssnarl.
Dumarestturned,headingtowardshisposition,movinginshadowandnotingeverythinghesaw.
Agroupofmenarguing,ontheedgeofafight,readytokickandpummel.
Acrane,theloadswingingdangerously,carelesslyheld.
Anoverseer,yelling,hisarmsflailingtoaccentuatehisorders.
And,everywhere,thesignsofhasteandurgency,thetracesofpovertyandneglect.
Ofmen,neverofmachines.TheZur-SekulichCombinetookcareoftheirown.
Theroarfromtheworkingsdiedalittle,fadingtoagratingsusurrationasDumarestnearedtheedgeoftheconstructionsite.Storesandsuppliesstoodinneatarray,cratespiledhigh,lashedandsealed,standinguntilneeded.Thegroundwasrough,bristlingwithrocks,lacedwithsmallcrackswhichcouldtrapafootandbreakanankle.Thepylonswerefewer,theshadowswider.
afootandbreakanankle.Thepylonswerefewer,theshadowswider.
PassingthelastofthecratesDumaresthalted,hisbodysilhouettedagainstthelight.Foralongmomenthestoodclearlyvisibletoanyonewhomightbewatchingfromthesurroundingdarkness,thenhemovedtoonesideandrestedhisbackagainstacrate.
Therewerewaystoguardadepotandofthemall,theZur-Sekulichhadchosenthemostinefficient.Thereshouldhavebeeninfra-reddetectorssetinanunbrokenringaboutthearea,menwithlight-amplifyingdevicesoncontinualwatch,raftswithsensorstospotanymovementinthedarkness.Thereshouldhavebeenaclose-meshfencetwentyfeethighwithspecialareasforthestores.
Allthingswhichcostmoney.Menandequipmentwhichwereunproductiveandthereforeundesirable.Itwascheapertousemen,tosendthemoutand,iftheyshouldbekilled,wherewastheloss?
Dumaresthadnointentionofgettinghimselfkilled.Hehadchosenabetterway.
Awhileandhemovedagain,standingbeforethelight,returningtohisformerposition.Tooneside,somethingmoved.
"ManDumarest?"Thevoicewasthin,abarewhisper,thetonesslurred,thewordsmorearecognitionsignalthanaquestion.TheHyeadhadgoodnight-vision.
"Here."Dumaresttookacandybarfromhispocket."Emazet?"
"Abanact.Theothercouldnotcome."
"Heiswell?"
"Theotherisdead.Huntersinthemountains—hewillbemourned."
Trigger-happyfoolswhohadblastedatabarelyseenshapeandwhowouldnowbeboastingoftheirkill.Dumarestthrewthecandybaratthedimfigurewhichrosefromthegroundtocatchit,tocheweagerlyattheluxury.TherarebutessentialsugarstheHyeadmetabolismcraved.
"News?"
"Awhisper.Menwillcometotakewhatisnottheirs."
"When?"
"Midwaythroughthenight.Atapointwherelightsarefewandthestoresarehigh.Threehundredpacesfromwheretheothermetyouthelasttimeyouspoke."
Thelowerdump.Dumaresttookoutmorecandybars,therewardfortheinformation.Heliftedtheremainderupinhishand.
"Anythingelse?Newsfromthecity?Weremendressedinscarletseenleavingthefield?"
"Byus,no."
"Byany?"
"Notthatwehaveheard."
TheHyeadmovedlikeghoststhroughthetown,workedatthefieldandinthetaverns,listenedtogossipcasuallyspokenbymenwhoconsideredthemlessthanbeasts.Ifacyberhadlandedtheywouldhaveknownofit.Dumarestpassedovertherestofthecandy.
"Ifyouhearofsuchmenpasswordtomeatthecanteen.Therewardwillbehigh."
"Itisunderstood."
Andthentherewasnothingbutthedarkness,theshadows,athinwindwhichruffledthetipsofdryvegetation.Aghostlysoundlikethekeenofmourningwomen.
ChapterTwo
Downbythelowerdumptheshadowswerethick,theglowfromthefloodlightsdoinglittletoaugmenttheghostlystarlight.Thepatchesofdarknesscouldalreadyhidedanger—onTradumasonanyworldpredatorscameinmanyguises,themostdangerousofwhichweremen.
Dumarestslowed,hislefthandreachingfortheflashlightclippedtohisbelt,hisrighttensingontheclubhehadbeenissued.Itwasayardofloadedwood,theendlashedtoprovideagrip,thetiprounded.Hard,strong,itcouldsmashbonesandpulpflesh.
Twicehehadcheckedtheareaandnow,iftheinformationhadbeengood,thethieveswouldbebusy.Halting,hiseyessearchedthespacesbetweenthestackedcrates,theirupperedgesbarelyvisibleagainstthesky.Pilferingwasrife,hungrymensnatchingatcastingsandcomponents,desperateforthemoneytheywouldbring,thefooditwouldprovide.Buyerswerealwaystobefound,takingnorisksbutmakinghighprofits.
"Brad!"Thevoicewasanurgentwhisper."Whichcrate?"
"Anyofthem."
"Thiscovering'stough.Weshouldhavebroughtasaw."
"Quittalkingandgetonwithit."
Twomenatleast,andtherecouldbemore.Onesethightoactasalookout,perhaps,anelementaryprecaution.Maybeanothercrouchedandwatchfultospotafiguremovingagainsttheglowfromtheworkings.Dumaresthadswunginawidecircletoapproachthespotfromthedarkness.Helookedagainattheupperedgesofthestackedcratesbutsawnothing.Butifheusedtheflashlightandsomeonewasupthere,hewouldbeaneasytarget.
"Shen?"
"Nothing.All'sclear."
Dumarestmovedasheheardtheraspofmetalonwood,asuddensplintering,thesnapofapartingbinding.Thethirdvoicehadcomefromclosetoonesideandhesteppedtowardsit.Adarkpatchrestedontheground,amanwhojerkedasDumarestdroppedathisside,onehandclampingoverhismouth,thefingersoftheotherdiggingintothethroat,findingthecarotidarteries,pressingandcuttingoffthebloodsupplytothebrain.Apressurewhichbroughtswiftunconsciousness.
"Shen?"Thefirstmanwhohadspokengruntedasheheavedsomethingfromtheopenedcrate."Givemeahandwiththis."
Dumarestroseandmovedsoftlytowardshim.Theotherman,theonecalledBrad,mustbefacingthesite.Threemenworkingtogethertomakeastrikeandaswiftwithdrawal.Dawnwouldfindthemwellontheirwaytothecity,toofarforpursuit,theirloothiddenatthefirstsignofaraftorhunters.
"Shen?"Dumarestsawtheblurofaface."What—"
ThemanwasfastHebacked,onehandliftingwithahookedbar,hismouthopeningtoyell.Dumarestdivedtowardshim,theclubextended,thetipaimedatthethroat,hitting,sendingthemantodoubleup,retching.AsuddenflurryandBradwasfacinghim,aguninhishand.
"Dropit!"hesnapped."Theclub,dropit!"Hesuckedinhisbreathasthewoodhitthedirt."Makeasoundandyou'redead.Elvach!Getdownhere.Fast!"
Fourmen,abigteam,andatleastonearmedwithagun.Aprimitiveweaponwhichwouldmakealotofnoise,butwouldkillwhiledoingit.Themanwouldhesitatetouseit,notwantingtogivethealarm.Therefore,theothermanwouldbecominginfrombehindwithamoresilentmeansofdealingdeath.Acluborknifeorstrangler'scord.
Dumarestknewtheydidn'tintendtoleavehimalive.
"Elvach!Hurry,damnyou!"
Fromabovecameascrapeandaslitherasthelookoutdroppedfromhisperch.
perch.
"What'shappening?Where'sShen?What'sthematterwithSley?"Elvachwassmall,lithe,anxious.Hisfacewasscrewedupandhiseyesbarelyvisibleinthepuffinessofhischeeks.
"Nevermindthem,"snappedBrad."Takecareofthisguard.Move!"
"Killhim?"
"Youwanttobelasereddownatdawn?"Bradliftedhispistol."Havingthisgunwillkillusall,ifwe'recaught.Nowgetonwithit."
"Waitaminute,"saidDumarest."Wecouldmakeadeal.I'vegotmoney."
Hedroppedhishandtohisboot,touchedthehiltoftheknife,liftedit,threwitunderhandtowardthefacebehindthegun.Thepointhit,plungedintoaneye,thebrainbeneath.AsBradfellDumarestturned,thestiffenededgeofhishandslammingagainstthesideofElvach'sneck,sendinghimhelplesslytothedirt.
"Fast!"Sley,gaspingforbreath,staredhisamazement."Hehadagunonyou,fingeronthetrigger,andyoukilledhimbeforehecouldpullit.Youkilledhim."
"Doyouwanttofollowhim?"
"No,mister,Idon't."
"Thenstayhere.MoveandI'llcutyoudown."Dumarestjerkedhisknifefree,wipeditcleanonthedeadman'sclothingandtuckeditbackintohisboot.HepickedupthegunandwentinsearchofShen.ElvachlookedupasDumarestdumpedthemanathisside.
"Dead?"
"Unconscious.Arethereanymoreofyou?"
"No."
"Iwantthetruth,"saidDumarestharshly."Whosetthisup?"
"Brad."Elvachsatupright,rubbingthesideofhisneck."Itwasgoingtobeeasy,hesaid.Movein,aquicksnatchandaway.Onetoworkandthreetowatch,wecouldn'tgowrong."Hesoundedbitter,"likehellwecouldn't."
"Whowouldbuy?"
"Idon'tknow.Bradhaditfixed.Himandthatdamnedgun."Hisvoicechanged,becameawhine."Look,mister,howaboutlettingusgo?You'vegottenBrad.I'veawomanlyingsick,andacoupleofkidsclosetostarving.Imadeamistake,sure,butIdidn'tknowaboutthegun."
"You'dhavekilledme,"saidDumarestflatly.
"No.Knockedyouout,maybe,butnotkilled.Whatwouldbethepoint?"
Togaintime,toavoidlaterrecognition,toensuretheirescape.Theywouldhavekilledhim.
Sleysaid,dully,"Whatnow,mister?Isupposeyou'regoingtoturnusin."
"That'sright."
"Turnusinandcollectthebonus,thenseeuslasereddownatdawn.Thegun'lltakecareofthat.Asmarttrickwhichletusdown.Bradshouldhavefiredandtohellwithlosingtheloot.Hewasgreedy.Iguessweallwere."
Greedyandstupid.Caughtwithouttheguntheywouldhavebeenknockedaroundalittle,interrogated,finedandsettowork.Aheavyfinewhichwouldholdthemfastuntiltheprojecthadbeencompleted,workingforsmallwages,littlebetterthanslaves.Buttheywouldhavestayedalive.
Dumarestliftedhiswhistleandblewthreeshortblasts.
"Sothat'sit,"saidSleybleakly."Theendoftheline.Ihopeyousleepwell,mister.Ihopeyouneverhavehungertearingatyourguts."
"Workwon'tkillyou."
"Work?Withthatgun?"
"Work?Withthatgun?"
"Gun?"Dumarestlookedatitand,withasuddenmovement,hurleditfarintothesurroundingdarkness.
"Whatgun?"
*
ForonceNytherwaspleased."Goodwork,Earl.Afinejob.Fourofthescumcaughtatonce.Apityyouhadtokillone,buthe'llserveasanexample.Didyouhavetodoit?"
"Therewerefourofthem,"saidDumarest."Ididn'tfeelliketakingchances."
"Youhadaclub.Youshouldhavebrokenhisskullandmaybesmashedaknee."
"Hehadsomething,abar.Itcouldhavebeenagun."
"Anaturalmistake,"admittedNyther."Thelightwasbadandyoucouldn'thaveknown.Hell,man,I'mnotblamingyou.It'sjustthatamanlikethatcouldhavefriends.Theymightwanttoavengehim—youunderstand?"
Dumarestnodded,leaningbackinhischair,consciousofhisfatigue.Itwasdawn,theinterioroftheguardhutthickwithstaleair,alitterofreturnedequipmentlyingonthetables.Thestructurequiveredtotheendlessroarfromtheworkings.
"Didyougetanythingfromtheothers?"
"No."Nytheropenedadrawerinhisdeskandproducedabottleandglasses.Pouring,hehandedonetoDumarest."Anyideas?"
"Fourmenwithaplan.Andtheyknewjustwheretohit."
"Youcansaythatagain."Nytherscowledashesippedathiswhiskey."Thosecratesheldcrystalloycomponents.Soldintherightplacetheywould
"Thosecratesheldcrystalloycomponents.Soldintherightplacetheywouldfetchahighprice.Eveniftornapart,theshammatitewouldbemorethanworththetrouble."Amangrownoldinsecurity,heguessedwhatDumarestwashinting."Anarrangement.Thosemenwereworkingtoaplansetoutbyabigoperator.Right?"
"Maybe."
"Thenwhynoguns?"Nytheransweredhisownquestion."Theyshouldn'thaveneededthem.Threemenwatchingcouldhavehandledanynormalguard.AndoncethescumstartusinggunsI'llhaveacaseinordertoincreasetheguardallocation.Youwerelucky,Earl,inmorewaysthanone."
Dumarestdrank,slowly,sayingnothing.
"Fourbonuses—youcancollectthecashimmediately.Nogunsandthechanceofapromotion.Interested?"
"Imightbe."
"I'vebeenwatchingyou,Earl.You'rewastedattheworkings.Anyfootcanhandleamachine,butittakesaspecialkindofmantomakeagoodsecurityofficer.Hehastohaveafeelforthejob,aninstinct.Youhaveit.Itsentyoutotherightplaceattherighttime.IneedallthemenIcangetlikeyou."
"So?"
"Howaboutbecomingafull-timeguard?I'llmakeyoutheheadofasector.Twiceasmuchasyou'regettingnowwithfreeboardandlodging.Adeal?"
Itwastempting,anditwouldbeamistaketorefusetooquickly.Asignofguilt,perhaps.Attheworkingsmendidnothesitateatthechanceofextrapay.
"Ofcourse,I'llhavetocheckyououtwithHeadOffice,"continuedNyther."Butthat'sjustaformality.Alltheywantisthatyouberegisteredinthecomputer.Thedoccantakeyourphysicalcharacteristicsanddotherestofit.Ablastintheshoulder—nothingtoworryabout."
Dumarestsetdownhisemptyglass,watchedasitwasrefilled.
"Aradioactivetrace?"
"Sure,justaprecautionand,asIsaid,nothingtoworryabout.Ifyoutakeoffwithoutwarning,we'llknowwheretolookforyou."
TheZur-Sekulichandotherswhomightbeinterested.Oncebrandedhewouldstandoutinanycrowd,electronictracinggearpickinguptheimplantedpattern.
Nythersaid,"I'llfixitfornoon.I'llsendwordtoyourforemantoreleaseyou.Byduskyou'llbereadyforfull-timeduty.Health,Earl!"
Dumarestrespondedtothetoast.Withoutknowingit,theguardchiefhadforcedhisdecision.Bynoonhewouldhavetobeonhisway.
Casuallyhesaid,"I'mgrateful,Chief.MaybeIcoulddosomethingforyou.Areyouwillingtogambleanextrabonus?"
"Adeal?Hell,Earl,onceyoustartworkingforme—"
"I'mnotworkingforyou,Chief.Notyet,andamanhastogetwhathecan,right?"Dumarestdidn'twaitforananswer."ForanextrabonusI'lltellyouhowtosealthisplacesonoscavengerwillhaveachance.Andallitwillcostyouisafewboxesofcandyaday."
Nytherwasshrewd."TheHyead?"
"Thebonus?"
"Yours,damnit.Takemeforanidiotandyou'llreturnitdouble."NytherfrownedasDumarestexplained."Havetheythebrainsforthejob?Aretheyreliable?"
"Theydon'tneedbrainsjusttowatchandlistenandthecandywillkeepthemonthejob.ArrangeameetingwithonecalledAbanact—betterstillI'lldoitforyou.Putoffthedocuntiltomorrow."
Adaygainediftheotheragreed.AsNythernoddedDumarestcontinued,"I'llneedsomecandy,youcangivemeachitforthat,andsomesupersonicwhistles.Wecanworkoutasimplecodesotheycangiveyouthewarning
whistles.Wecanworkoutasimplecodesotheycangiveyouthewarningwithoutalarmingthethieves.Oncearranged,youcancutdownontheextraguardsanduseregularmobilepatrols."
"Andifitdoesn'twork?"
"Yougetthebonusback-double."
Nytherreachedforthebottle."Nowwhythehellcouldn'tIhavethoughtofthat?TheHyead—cheapandthedamnedthingsgoeverywhere.You'vegotapoint,Earl."
Onehehadoverlooked,familiaritybreedingcontempt.
"Thebonus,"remindedDumarest."I'lltakeitnow."
Hecollecteditallincash,thickcoinswhichweighteddownhispocket,hiseyesthoughtfulashewalkedfromthecashier'soffice.Itwastimetodisappear,tovanishlikeastonethrownintowater,tomoveonbeforeitwastoolate.
Hecouldcatchaliftintothecity,hopeforaquickpassage,hideifhehadtowait.Foralonemanitwouldbesimple.Nytherwouldbeannoyed,buthehadreceivedvalueforhismoneyandwouldquicklyforget.Acasualworkerwhohadturneddowntheofferofagoodjob—whybeconcernedwhenthereweresomanyotherstotakehisplace?And,ifhehadthesensetocontacttheHyead,hisworrieswouldbeover.
Theproblemwastheboy.Dumarestthoughtabouthimashemovedtowardshishut.Cautiondictatedthathekeepgoing,headfortheroadandflagatruck,bribethedriverifhehadto,butinanycasetokeepmoving.Noonewouldbotherhimandnoonewouldargue.Leon,Nyther,thewholemessandapproachingdangeroftheworkscouldbeforgotten.
Buttheboyhadnotlied?Nerth—thenamewasabait.Achancehecouldnotaffordtomiss.Eveniftheplanetofferedbutasinglecluehehadtofindit.Findthelocationoftheplanetofhisbirth.Hishomeworld.Earth!
And,tofindNerth,heneededtheboy.Thenamewastoosimilar.Someone,somewherewouldhaveheardofit,andyetitappearedinnoneofthealmanacshehadstudied.Amysterywhichhadtoberesolved.
hehadstudied.Amysterywhichhadtoberesolved.
Hesensedthetensionassoonasheenteredthehut.Acrowdwasclusteredaroundthetable,menwhoshouldhavebeensleepingremainingawake,respondingtotheexcitement,themountingdesperation.Asuresignthatbigstakeswerebeingwagered,thatsomeonehadlostallrestraint.
AmanturnedasDumaresttouchedhisshoulder.Hisfacewasflushed,annoyed.
"Earl,thankGodyou'rehere.Thekid'sintrouble."
"Leon?Whathappened?Whydidheplay?"
"Nygascaughthimdozingonduty.Hebrokeacoupleofribs,Ithink.Anyway,hekickedhimoffthejob.Westrappedhimupbuthe'sunfittowork.Iguesshehopedtomakeastake."Themanscowled."AgainstElgSonefthat'saskingforamiracle.Thekiddoesn'tstandachance."
Leonsatattheboard,sweating,hisfacestrained,hiseyesdistraughtashestaredatthesmallheapofcoinsremaininginhispile.Sonef'svoicewasaraspingpurr.
"Youloseagain,son.Toobad.Betterluckthenexttime.What'llyoutake,high,loworman-in-between?"
"I—"LeonbrokeoffasDumarestreacheddownandcoveredhisfewcoins."Earl!"
"Youwantin?"Thegamblerwasunruffled.Big,unrestrainedinhisviolence,hewasfearless."You!"Hepointedatoneoftheplayers."Moveover.Makeroomforarealman.Cashdown,Earl.Let'sgo!"Hepoisedthecards.
"No."
"Youdon'twanttoplay?"
"Notthisgame.It'sforkids.Let'strysomethingelse.Poker."
"Housedealing?"
"DoIlookstupid?"Dumarestmettheother'seyes."Wedealinturn,nolimit,fivecarddraw."
Sonefsaid,dangerously,"Areyousayingthere'ssomethingwrongwiththedeal?"
"DidIsaythat?"Dumarestshrugged."Ofcourse,ifyou'rescared—"
"LikehellI'mscared!"Thebigmanbristled."YounameitandI'llplayit."
He'dbeenpressuredandmusthaveknownit,butwasunabletorefusethechallenge.Bigandtoughthoughhewas,previousloserscouldbeargrudgesandittooklittlestrengthtoslipabladeintoasleepingman.HegruntedasDumarestsat,heapingcoinsbeforehim,theglitterofhisaccumulatedbonuses.
"Anyoneelsewanttositin?"
Twomenacceptedtheinvitationfollowedbyathird,apalemanwithslenderhandswhorarelyplayed.Dumarestgavehimoneglance,recognizedhimforwhathewasandmadehisown,mentalreservations.Thetwowouldplayinpartnership,operatingasqueezeandmanipulatingthedeal.Againstthemanormalplayerwouldhavenochance.
Dumarestwasnotanormalplayer.Toooftenduringthetediousjourneysbetweenthestarshehadrunthetablesinthesalons,providingameanstobeguilethepassengerstravelingonHighpassage.Thesewerethemenandwomendruggedwithquicktime,themagiccompoundwhichslowedtheirmetabolismssothat,tothem,hourspassedasquicklyasminutes.Andtherehadbeenothers,gamblerswhohadbecomefriendsandwhohadtaughthimthetricksoftheirtrade.
Evenso,ittooktime.Thecardshadtobestacked,thebacksmarkedwithslightindentationsofanail,atrickwhichifnoticedbytheotherswouldbeputdowntoeachother.Andthesystemofplayhadtoberecognizedandusedagainstthosewhoemployedit.
Sonefwasthelesserofthetwo,Lekarddangerouslyskillful.Theothermenwerepadding,caughtupbytheexcitement,limitedastoresourcesandquicklydisposedof.Dumarestusedthem,addingtohispile,throwingingoodhandswhenheknewthatSoneforLekardwouldhavegiventhemselvesbetter.
whenheknewthatSoneforLekardwouldhavegiventhemselvesbetter.Cautiousplay,ashewaitedforthemomentheknewwassuretocome.
Sonefgruntedasthethreewereleftinsolepossessionofthetable."NowwecanreallygetdowntoitYourdeal,Lekard."
Themoment,Dumarestwascertainofit.Hewatchedasthecardsfell,pickeduphishandandlookedatit.Threeaces,anine,andadeuce.
"I'llopen."
Sonefwastohisleft."I'lljustdoublethat,Earl.Lekard?"
"I'llstay."
Notanobvioussqueezeplay,then,butthatwouldcomelater.Dumarestmettheraiseandraisedinturn.Sonefdoubled,Lekardstayed,DumarestraisedagainandwasraisedbySonef.Lekarddroppedout.
Itwasbetweenthetwoofthem,andDumarestknewexactlywhatwasintended.Hefrownedathiscards,apparentlyuncertain,amantemptedbutalittleafraid.
"Earl?"
Dumarestlookedathismoney."I'llraise,"hesaid."Allofit.Tablestakes,right?"
"Nolimit,Earl,thatwaswhatweagreed."
Fromthecircleofwatchersamangrowled,"Whatthehell,Sonef,aren'tyoueversatisfied?Youtryingtobuythepotorwhat?"
Drawpoker,nolimit.Amanwithenoughmoneywouldalwayswinbecausehecouldputdownmorethanhisopponentcouldmatch.AriskDumaresthadtaken,onelessenednowthatLekardhaddroppedout.Hecouldmatchtheother'sbet,butafter?Heknewwhatwouldhappenafter.
"Tablestakes,"saidanothermanfromamongthewatchers."Wealwaysplaythatway.Nolimit,butyoucan'tbeatamanintotheground.Isaymeethispile,
thatway.Nolimit,butyoucan'tbeatamanintotheground.Isaymeethispile,draw,andshow."
"You'renotplaying,"snappedthegambler."Soyoujustshutyourmouth.Earl,ifyouwantI'llacceptyourpaper.Goodenough?"
I.O.U'swhichwouldcarryahighrateofinterest.Registeredwiththecompanycashier,Dumarestwouldbeworkingforthegambleruntilthedebtwaspaid.Againhepretendedtohesitate.
"Anyamount?"
"Ashighasyouwant.AndI'llmeetitwithcash."Sonef,certainhewouldwin,couldaffordtobegenerous."Hell,Earl,shoveinthecashandI'llmatchit.Thenwecandraw.Fairenough?"
Dumarestnodded,waiteduntilthemoneywasplaced,andlookedagainathishand.Threeaces.Nonormalplayerwoulddootherthandrawtwocardshopingforapair,orafourthace.
Hesaid,"Putdownthedeck,Lekard."
"What?"
"Putitdown."SteelflashedasDumarestliftedhisknifeandslammedthepointthroughthepasteboardsintothetablebeneath.Toamanstandingathissidehesaid,"Pullthemfromthetop.Iwantnosecondsorbottoms—justdealthemastheycome."
Themanwasuncertain."Elg?"
"Doit."Sonefwasconfident."Justdealthemashesays.Howmanydoyouwant,Earl?"
Dumarestdroppedthenine,thedeuceandoneoftheaces."I'lltakethree."
Heheardtheincreduloussuckofbreathfromamanbehindhim,akibitzerwhohadseenhishand,sawthesuddenhardeningofSonefsface,theaccentuatedpalloronLekard'sthinfeatures.
Hedidn'thavetolookathiscards,heknewwhattheyhadtobe.Anace
Hedidn'thavetolookathiscards,heknewwhattheyhadtobe.Anacefollowedbytwocardsofthesamesuit,eitherofwhichwouldhavecompletedSonefsrunningflush.Ifhehadtakenonecardortwo,hewouldhaveheldfouracesagainstawinninghand.
Hesaid,flatly,"Ibetahundred.Youwanttoseeme?No?ThenI'vewon."
Herose,droppinghiscardsfaceupwards,sweepingthemoneyintohispocket.ToLeonhesaid,"Getyourgear.It'stimeforustogo."
ChapterThree
Theyreachedthecityatmid-afternoon,droppingfromtheraftwhichhadcarriedthem,thedriverwavingacasualfarewellashedriftedaway.Theareawasbleak,amassofwarehousesandruggedground,hutsandofficesshowinghastyconstruction.Anextensionoftheoldtownwhichlayinahollow,attheheadofastraitleadingtothesea.
Thefieldlaybeyondonastretchofleveledground,ringedwithahighperimeterfencetoppedwithfloodlights.OnTradumtheauthoritiesmaintainedacheckonallarrivalsanddepartures,apolicybackedbytheZur-Sekulichasaprecautionagainstcontract-workersleavingbeforetheirtime.
Leonsaid,"Whatnow,Earl?"
"Wefindsomewheretostay.Thenweeat,thenI'lllookaround."
"Can'tIcomewithyou?"
"No,you'dbetterrestthoseribs."
"Nygas!"Theboyscowled."Thatanimal!Hehadnoright—"
"Youwerewarned,"saidDumarestcurtly."Youknewwhattoexpect."
Heglancedatthesky.Walkingwouldsavemoney,butbecostlyintime.Hewavedasapedcarcameintosight,theoperatoraslendermanwithgrotesquelydevelopedthighs.Leonsighedwithreliefasheslumpedintotheopencompartmentattherear.Hisfacewaspinched,thenostrilslivid,darkshadowsaroundhiseyes.Heclutchedasmallbag,thesumtotalofhispossessions,acheapthingofsoiledfabricwhichherestedonhislap.Dumaresthadnothingasidefromwhathecarriedonhisperson.
"Peddling,"theoperatorasked,"Youfromtheworkings?IaskbecauseIwasthinkingofgettingajobupthere.Afriendofmine,mysister'ssecondcousin,hereckonsamancoulddorealwell.Youthinkit'sworthmetrying?"
reckonsamancoulddorealwell.Youthinkit'sworthmetrying?"
"Noharminthat."
"Icouldhandleamachinegiventhechance.AndIcantakeorders—hell,inthisjobyoudoitallthetime.Say,youboyslookingforalittleexcitement?"
Dumarestsaid,dryly."Whathadyouinmind?"
"There'sanewjointopenedonCondorAvenue.Younggirls,sensatapes,analogues,allthedrinksyoucanhandle,andallthegamesyoucanuse.Fightstoo,ifyou'reinterested.Realstuff,nomessingabout,nakedbladesandnostopping.Interested?"
Theywerefromtheworkings.Menfromalongboutofhard,relentlesslaborwouldbeinterested.
"CondorAvenue,"saidDumarest."What'sitcalled?"
"TheEffulvium.CrelkSugarirunsit.Ifyouwant,mister,I'lltakeyoustraightthere.Whywastetime?"Hischucklewassuggestive."Getinwhilethefruitisunspoiled,eh?"
"We'lldropinlater."
"Youdothat."Theoperatorhandedbackacard."Handthisinwhenyouarrive.It'llgetyouafreedrink.Abigone,andyouwon'thavetopayentry.Don'tforgetnow."
Dumaresttooktheslipofpasteboard.Handedin,itwouldensurethemanhiscommission.
"Youknowagoodhotel?Somethingnottoohighandwithavailableservice?"
"Service?"Themantwistedhishead,grinning."Igetit.Sure,MadamBrandtrunsanice,clean,interestingplace.Justdon'tmaketoomuchnoiseandeverythingwillbefine.Youwantmetotakeyouthere?"
"Justdropuscloseby.Yougotacardformetogiveher?Thanks."
Leonstaggeredalittleasheleftthepedcar,leaningonDumarestforsupportasthevehiclemovedaway,theoperatorwavingandpointingtothefrontofahousewithshutteredwindowsandgaudystreaksofpaintonthewalls.
Dumarestwatchedhimgo,thenturnedandheadedintheotherdirection.
"Aren'twegoinginthere,Earl?"
"No."
"ButIthought—"Leonfrowned."Thatmanthinkswe'llstaythere."
"Whichiswhywewon't."Dumareststaredatthepaleface."Canyouholdupuntilwefindsomewhereelse?"
"Iguessso."Leonmadeanefforttostandupright."IguessI'llhaveto."
"That'sright,"saidDumarest."Youdo."
Hesettledforasmallplaceinaquietstreet,runbyawomanlongpastherprime.Theroomhadtwinbeds,awashbasinandfaucet,afadedcarpetonthefloor,frayedcurtainsatthewindow.Thepaneswerebarredandfacedanarrowalley.Thewallswerecrackedandtheceilingstained.Fromaroomlowerdownthepassagecamethesoundofemptycoughing:
"ChellArlept,"sheexplained."Heworkedwithmyhusbandupatthesite.Theygotcaughtinanexplosion.Chellruinedhislungs.Myhusband—"Shebrokeoff,swallowing.
"Ithappens,"saidDumarest."I'msorry."
"Theyjustlefthimthere,"shesaidbleakly."Pileddirtovertheplacewherehefell.Ididn'tevengetcompensation."
Dumarestsaidnothing.
"I'msorry.Ididn'tmeantotellyou,butyoudidaskaboutChell.Ifthere'sanythingyouneed?"
"I'llletyouknow,"saidDumarest."There'sabathattheendofthepassage?
"I'llletyouknow,"saidDumarest."There'sabathattheendofthepassage?Good."Helookedpointedlyatthedoor.Asthewomanlefthesaidtotheboy."Getstripped.Iwanttolookatthoseribs."
Nygashadbeensavage,orperhapshehadmisjudgedhisvictim.LeonwincedasDumarest'sfingersprobedhisside,thestrappingsthathadbeenhastilyappliedlyingtoonesideonthebed.Oneribwasbroken,otherscracked,thefleshuglywithbruises.
"Howbadisit,Earl?"
"Badenough."Dumarestpickedupthebandages,soakedtheminwaterfromthefaucet,boundthemtightlyaroundtheslendertorso."Justliethereandgetsomesleep.Don'tmoveunlessyouhavetoand,whenyoudo,don'tbend.Hungry?"
"Icouldeat."
"I'llgetthewomantobringyouameal.Ifshewantstofeedyou,don'targue."
"Youleaving,Earl?"
Dumarestsmiledatthelookofconcern."Don'tworry,Leon.I'llbeback."
*
Findingthehotelhadtakentime,takingcareoftheboystillmore.ItwasduskasDumarestnearedtheheartofthecity,thesquarewherethemarketwaslocated.Beyonditlaythewharvesfromwhichboatswerealreadyputtingouttofishtheturbulentseas.Aroundit,runningalongtheavenuestoeitherside,werethepalacesofpleasure,thecasinos,dreamparlors,brothels,theplacesinwhichmencouldpandertotheirinclinations.Establishmentsfortherich,orthosewithmoneytoburn.Themarketwasforthepoor.
Beggarswereprominent,menwithcrippledlimbsandscarredfaces,discardedveteransofmercenarywars.Theyjostledwomensellingdubious
discardedveteransofmercenarywars.Theyjostledwomensellingdubiouspleasures,othersofferingluckycharms,vialsofaphrodisiacs,podsofnarcoticseeds.Inthemarketproper,tradersdisplayedtheirwaresonstallsilluminatedbybrightlycoloredlanternswhichfoughttheencroachingdarknesswithpoolsofredandgreen,yellowandamber,paleblueandnacreouswhite.
Inthekaleidoscopeofbrillianceheapsoftawdryjewelry,gaudyfabrics,andcheapadornmentslookedlikeraretreasurestolenfromfabledtemples.
AcronecalledoutasDumarestpassedwhereshesatbeforeatablebrilliantwithcabalisticsymbols.
"Yourfortune,mylord?Toldwithskillswonfromanancientraceandpasseddownthroughseventeengenerations.Learnofthedangerswhichmaylieinyourpath,perilswhichcanbeavoided."
Anotherswungasmallbagsuspendedfromagildedchainwhich,sheassuredhim,wouldgivefullprotectionagainstthediseasesoflove,poisonedwaters,andwildradiation.
Amansatlikeabroodingidoloveranassemblyoffingerringsholdingvibrantdarts,needlestippedwithvenom,artificialfingernailsofrazor-sharpsteel,broocheswhichcouldblastastunninggas;subtlemechanismsfordealingdeathandpain,thingsmuchusedbytheharlotswhoneededsuchprotection.
Dumarestpausedatastallfromwhichrosetantalizingodors,buyingaskewerofmeatandvegetablessearedoveraflame.Thefoodwashot,pungentwithspice,crisptothetongue.Thewomanwhoservedhimwastall,darklyattractive,thecleftinherblousedoinglittletohidetheswellofherbreasts.
Shewatchedasheatewiththefastidiousneatnessofacat,hereyesrovingoverhisface,hisbody,notingthetallhardnessofhim,theinstinctivewariness.Amanwhohadlearnedtosurvivethehardway,shedecided.OnewithouttheprotectionandbenefitofGuild,HouseorOrganization.Hisfacewassomber,theplanesandcontoursrevealinganinnerdetermination,themouthhoveringontheedgeofbecomingcruel.Hemethereyesashedroppedtheemptyskeweronatray.
"Youlikeit?"
"Itwasgood,"headmitted."How'strade?"
"It'searlyyet."SheturnedtostareattheHyeadwhoworkedatthebackofthestall."Betterstartanotherbatch,Kiasong.Setthemupandleavethemtosoak."ToDumarestshesaid,"He'swillingbuthehastobewatched."
"Andcomescheap?"
Sheshrugged,quiversmanifestbeneaththethinmaterialofherblouse,thebreasts,unbound,movinglikeoiledballoons.
"Igivehimfoodandaplacetosleep.Ihadamanonce,buthewantedmorethanIwaswillingtogive.NowIoperatealone."Pausingsheadded,deliberately,"Maybe,ifhehadlookedlikeyouthingswouldhavebeendifferent."
Dumarestsmiledatthecompliment.
"Well,that'sthewayitgoes,"shesaid."Youlookingforsomething?"
"Ahealer."
"Yousick?"Sheshruggedagainashemadenoanswer."TryBicWan,he'stworowsover,threestallsdown.Notthecheapest,butyoucantrusthisgoods.TellhimAyantelsentyou,he'lltreatyoufair."
Hewasasmallman,wizened,hiseyeslikejewelsinthemeshedcontoursofhisface.Aroundhathuggedhisskullandhishandswerethin,thefingerslong,thenailssharpenedtopoints.Hesatbehindadisplayofvialsandcontainersoftabletsandpills.Bunchesofdriedherbshungbesideclustersofseeds,witheredfruits,strandsofsun-driedkelp.Askullboreatraceryoflines,hollowsocketsstaringatthecrowd.Metalchimesmadesmalltinklingsintherisingbreeze.
"Ayantel,"hesaid."Afinewomanwithashrewdmindandadiscerningeye.Sheguidedyouwell.Whatareyourneeds?"HeblinkedasDumaresttoldhim."ThesalveIcansupply,thebonemenderalso,togetherwithasyringe.Buttheother?Myfriend,whatyouaskisnoteasy."
Dumarestproducedcoins,letthemfallfromonehandtotheother.
"Acompoundtoerasethebarrierbetweentruthandfalsehood—howoftenhavehusbandsaskedforthesame?Deludedmenandsuspiciouswomen,eagertoquelltheirfearsordiscovertheirrivals.IfIhadsuchathingmyfortunewouldbemade."
"Thenyoucan'thelpme?"
"Myfriend,Iamhonestwithyou.Icouldgiveyouwhatseemstodoasyouwish,buttheresultantbabblewouldbemeaningless,theproductofhallucination.Youwishadvice?"
"Iamalwayswillingtolearn."
"Awiseman,andahumbleone.Thatiswell.Manywouldthrowitbackinmyfaceandthereforecompoundtheirstupidity.Therearemeanstoinducesleepand,whenused,thereisaperiodduringwhichquestionsmaybeaskedandwillbeanswered.Itwillnotlastlongandthedrugcanonlybeusedonce.Therearebettermethods,buttheyaretheprerogativeoftheauthorities.Iamonlyapoorman,asellerofsalvesandhealingcompounds,whatwouldIknowofsuchthings?"Hisshrug,hisgesture,weretimeless.
"Givemewhatyoucan,"saidDumarest.
Heturnedastheoldmanbusiedhimselfwithitemstakenfrombeneathhiscounter.Themarketwasgrowingbusy,thescatteredwanderersreenforcedbyworkersfromthefield,othersonleavefromthesite.Localstoo,gailydressedmenandgirlsseekingrecreation.Fromonesidecamethesteadybeatingofadrum,thewailofaflute,atroupeofdancersspinning,fleshglowinginthemulticoloredillumination.Cunninglytheystoopedtopickupthrowncoins,eachgestureatitivation.
Life,brash,gay,abandoned,ruledthemarketsquare.Itwouldgrowtoacrescendo,peakingatmidnightwhenthestallsclosed,therevelerswendingtheirwayhome,othersmovingontomoredecadentpursuits.
Againstthem,themonkstoodlikeafadedstatueinsomberbrown.
*
Hestoodbeforetheexchange,anornatebuildingfacingthesquareinwhichfortunesweremadeandlost,merchantsgamblingoncargoeswhichhadyettoarrive.Hewastall,thin.Thefaceshieldedbythecowlwasemaciatedwithdeprivation.Abeggarwithoutprideandhavinglittlesuccess.Thechippedbowlofplasticinhishandwasempty.Thesandalsonhisbarefeetwerescuffed,astrapbrokenandheldtogetherwithtwine.Hisvoicewasadroningmurmur.
"Ofyourcharity,brother,rememberthepoor."
Fewlooked,lesslingered,nonethrewmoneyintothebowl.Aplumptrader,hishandsheavywithgems,hisfaceoiledwithgoodliving,laughedasheflungaharlotacoin.
"Thatforyoursmile,Mayelle.TodayIclearedabigprofit.Tomorrow—whocantell?"
"Thankyou,mylord."Deftlythecoinwasslippedbeneathagownslittorevealglimpsesofwhatlaybeneath."Ifasmilebroughtsomuch,thensurelyakisswouldbringmore?"
"Don'ttemptme,girl.Icannotaffordthedelay.Evenwhiletalkingafortunecouldbemade."
"Brother,"saidthemonk,"rememberthepoor."
"Yourememberthem."Theplumpmanwasindifferent."I'mtoobusy."
BrotherSayremadenocomment,feltnoangeratthecynicism.Tohavedonesowouldhavebeentovergeonthesinofpride,andthatwouldhavebeenarefutationofwhathewasandwhathestoodfor.Prideandself-indulgencehadnoplaceintheChurchoftheUniversalBrotherhood.Eachmonkshedallthoughtofpersonalcomfortwhenhedonnedtheplain,homespunrobe,tookthebowlofplastic,acceptedtheprivationwhichwouldbehisnormallot.
Ahardlife,butnonewhojoinedtheBrotherhoodexpectedotherwise.Tostand,tobeg,togiveaidwhenaidcouldbegiven,tocomfortalways.Tofollow
thecreedoftheChurch,toextendtheteachingwhichalonewouldendallhurt,allpain,alldespair.Nomanisanisland.Allbelongtothecorpushumanitatis.Theanguishofoneisthetormentofall.Ifallmencouldbebroughttorecognizeonebasictruth,torememberastheylookedatanother—there,butforthegraceofGod,goI—themillenniumwouldhavearrived.
"Ofyourcharity,brother,rememberthepoor."
HaltingbeforethemonkDumarestsaid,"Brother,Ineedyourhelp."
"Youareindistress?"
"No."Dumarestdroppedcoinsinthebowl.Hewasgenerous,butbothknewitwasnotabribe."Ineedinformation."
"Thereareplaceswhereanswersmaybefound."
Taverns,shops,agencies,thefielditself,therecords,thecomplexwhichsoldcomputer-time,themenwhotradedinnothingelse.Buteachquestionwouldleaveatrail,arousecuriosity,focusunwantedattentiononhim.
"Thereisayoungman,"saidDumarest."Aboy.LeonHarvey.Iwonderedifyouknowofhim."
"DoeshebelongtotheChurch?"
"Idon'tknow.Maybe."
"Acasual?"
Itwaspossible.Ayoungman,ontherun,lonelyandperhapsafraid.TheChurchwouldhaveofferedhimcomfortandmore.Thebreadofforgivenessgiventoallwhosatbeneaththebenedictionlightwhen,hypnotized,theyeasedtheirsoulsandsufferedsubjectivepenance.Thereweremanywhojoinedthequeuesforthesakeofthewaferofconcentrate.Themonksregardeditasafairexchange—foodinreturnfortheinstilledconditioningwhichmadeitimpossibletokill.ThereasonDumaresthadneversatbeneaththelight.
Hesaid,"Leonisarunaway.Hemighthavebeenreportedandyouraidsought."
sought."
"Aboy,oneofsomany,howwouldweknowofhim?"
"Youknow,Brother.Webothknow."
Bymeansofthehyper-radioincorporatedintoeachbenedictionlight.Monkswereeverywhere,toleratedandbefriendedbythoseinhighplaces,inconstanttouchwiththegreatseminaryonHope.Andaparent,desperate,wouldhaveaskedforhelp,oratleasteasedtheirheartstolisteningears.Asmallhope,butonewhichhadtobefollowed.
Dumarestwasnotdisappointedwhen,afteramoment,themonkshookhishead."Wehavebeenaskedtolookfornooneofthatname.Wheredidheoriginate?"
"Nerth.Youknowit?"
"Anoddname—no,Ihavenoknowledgeofanysuchworld.Theboy,ofcourse,couldbelying.Youhaveconsideredthepossibility?"
"Yes."
"Yourname?"
Dumarestgaveit,adding,"IamnotunknowntotheChurch.IfBrotherJeromewasstillalivehewouldvouchforme,butyoucanchecktherecords."
"Thereisnoneed."Themonk'seyesweredirect."Asyousay,youareknown.IfIcouldhelpyouIwould,butthatdoesnotseempossible.However,thereisonethingperhapsyoushouldknow.CyberHsihaslandedonTradum."
ChapterFour
ManagerLohNordkynwasdisturbed.Hisreportshadalwaysbeenontime,workwasprogressingaccordingtoschedule,andthepowersrulingtheZur-Sekulichhadnoreasonfordissatisfaction,yettheyhadsentacybertoTradum.
Hewashousedinanuppersuiteofthecompanybuilding,thewindowsgivingafineviewofthetownandspacefield,aviewwhichmeantnothingtoHsiashesatatadeskstudyingthemassofdataprovidedbythemanager'saides.
Hewastall,thin,robedaswerethemonksoftheUniversalBrotherhood,buttherethesimilarityended.Hewore,notbrownhomespun,butscarletfabricoffineweave,theSealoftheCyclanprominentonhisbreast.Hisheadwasshaved,accentuatingtheskull-likeappearanceofthedeep-seteyes,theskindrawntautoverbone.Alivingmachineoffleshandboneandblood,allcapacityforemotioneradicatedbytrainingandanoperationperformedduringhisyouth,hisonlypleasurethatofmentalachievement.
Amanwhohaddedicatedhislifetothepursuitofcoldlylogicalreason.Onetowhomfoodwasatastelessfuel.Acreaturewhocouldtakeahandfuloffactsandbuildasequenceofeventsfromthemculminatinginapredictedeventuality.
Heglancedupasthedooropened,leaningbackinhischair,hiseyeswatchful.
"ManagerNordkyn."Theinclinationofhisheadwasperfunctory."Itislate.Ihadnotthoughttoseeyouuntiltomorrow."
"Iwascurious,"admittedthemanager."Totofrank,IcannotunderstandwhythecompanyshouldhavechosentoemploytheservicesoftheCyclan.Wehaveourowncomputersandtheoperationprogramsareprovingsuccessful."
"Asyet,perhaps."
"Atrend?"Nordkynfrowned."Ihaverunacompleteseriesofanaloguesand
"Atrend?"Nordkynfrowned."Ihaverunacompleteseriesofanaloguesandhavefoundnothingtoposeanyseriousproblems."
"Andperhapsnonewillbefound."Hsitouchedthesheetsbeforehim,thereamsofdata,incidents,reportsallcompressedintosymboliclanguage."However,Inoticethatyourprogressperman-hourisfalling."
"Aseamofadamantinerockwhichdelayedprogress,"saidNordkynquickly."Itwasanticipatedand,nowthatwehavepenetratedit,losttimewillberegained."
"Casualtiesseemtobehigh."
"Carelessnessduetountrainedlabor.Weareoperatingunderatightcost-schedule,asyoumustknow.Butisisunimportant,menarecheap."Headded,incredulously,"SurelytheZur-Sekulicharenotconcernedoverthelossofafewvagrants?"
"No."
"Then,withrespect,Ifailtoseewhatyoucanachieve."
"YoudoubttheefficiencyoftheCyclan?"Hsi'svoicewasasmoothlymodulatedmonotonedevoidofallirritantfactors,yetNordkynwasswifttorefutetheaccusation.
"No!Ofcoursenot!"
"Butyoufailtoseewhatcanbegainedbymyadvice."Hsitouchedthesheetsagain,selectedone."Letmeillustrate.Duetothepriceriseinbasicstaples,thefoodservedatthecanteenshasfallenintermsofnutritionalvaluetoafactoroffifteenpercentduringthepasteightweeks.Thishasresultedinalossofphysicalenergyandtherefore,alesseningofproductiveeffortputoutbytheworkers.Thefinancialgainismorethanlostbyreducedefficiency.Ifitiscontinuedtherewillbeanincreaseinaccidentsanddeaths.Therewillalsobeahigherincidenceofsicknessandminorinjury.UnlessthereisachangeIpredictthat,withintwomonths,youwillbethreeandahalfdaysbehindschedule.Thispredictionisintheorderof89.6percentofprobability."
"Isee."Nordkynwasthoughtful."Inthatcaseyousuggest—"
"Isee."Nordkynwasthoughtful."Inthatcaseyousuggest—"
"Isuggestnothing,"saidHsievenly."Igivenoordersandinsistonnochange.Imerelytellyouwhatwillbethemostprobableoutcomeofanyseriesofevents.Whatactionyouchoosetotakeisentirelyyourownconcern."
And,ifhefailed,hiscareerwouldbeover.Nordkyndidn'tneedtohaveitspelledoutindetail.TheZur-Sekulichhadnotimeforfailure.
Hesaid,"Iwillorderthefoodtobechangedatonce.Theexpensewillbehigh,butI'llmanagesomehow."Hesitatingheadded,"Isthereanythingelse?"
"Forthemoment,no."
"ThenI'llleaveyou,CyberHsi."Nordkynbackedtowardthedoor,sweating.Hewasgladtoleavetheroom.
Hsiturnedagaintothepapers.Thingsweregoingasplanned.Themanagerwasafool,concernedonlywiththejobinhand.TheZur-Sekulichlittlebetter,thinkingonlyofimmediateprofit,thewealthofthereclaimedmetal,thesubsidytheywonfromtheTradumauthorities,dreamingoftheconstantstreamofprofitstheywouldcollectfromtoolsoncethepassagewascompleted.
LaterhewouldvisittheTradumCouncil,seekoutthosewiththegreatestpowers,sowseedsofdissatisfactioninthemindsofthelandowners,thosewhonowoperatedtheseaandairtransports.
Facedwithruintheywouldcooperate,formingacabaltoseizepower,relyingontheCyclantoshowthemhowtotakeandholdit.Andthen,oncetheywereestablished,thepatternset,otherswouldmovein.ToolsoftheCyclan,leaderswillingtoobey,meneagertobeguided.
Andyetanotherworldwouldhavefallenunderthedominationoftheorganizationofwhichhewasapart.
AlreadythehiddenpoweroftheCyclanreachedacrossthegalaxy,worldssecretlymanipulatedbyresidentcybers,alllivingextensionsofCentralIntelligence,allworkingtoacommonend.Thecompleteandtotaldominationofallhumanityeverywhere.
Hsiturnedasheet,scannedit,hisbrainabsorbing,assessing,collatingtheinformationitcontained.Amassoftrivia,yeteachitemcouldbepartofsomethinggreater,eachdetailastepinalogicalseriesofevents.
"Master!"Hisacolyteenteredthechamberatthetouchofabell."Yourorders?"
"ContactChiefNytherattheworkings.Hereportedasmallgangofpilfererswerecaptured.Onewaskilledwithathrownknife.Findoutwhodidit."Amomentanditwasdone.
"Master,themanconcernedwasEarlDumarest.He—"
Dumarest!Hsiroseandsteppedtowardstheinnerroom.Itwassoftwithunaccustomedluxury,thecouchcoveredwithsilk,themattresslikeacloud.
"Totalseal,"heordered."Iamnottobedisturbedforanyreasonwhatsoever."
Asthedoorclosedbehindhim,hetouchedthebraceletlockedaroundhisleftwrist.Fromthedevicecameaninvisiblefieldwhichensuredthatnoelectroniceyeorearcouldfocusonthevicinity.Aprecaution,nothingmore,itwoulddefyanelectronicgeniustoprobetheabilityhepossessed.
Relaxingonthecouch,heclosedhiseyesandconcentratedontheSamatachaziformulae.Graduallyhelostsensoryperception,thesenseoftouch,taste,smellandhearing,alldissolvedintoaformlessblur.Hadheopenedhiseyeshewouldhavebeenblind.Lockedintheconfinesofhisskullhisbrainceasedtobeirritatedbyexternalstimuli.Itbecameathingofreasoning,awareness,anduntrammeledintellect.OnlythendidthegraftedHomochonelementsbecomeactive.
Rapportwasestablished.Hsibecamefullyalive.
Eachcyberhadadifferentexperience.Forhim,itwasasifhedriftedinaninfinityofscintillantbubbleswhichbursttoshowerhimwithincredibleeffulgence.Sphereswhichtouchedtocoalesce,topart,toveerindiversepaths,tomeetagaininanintricatecomplexofever-changingpatterns.Patternsofwhichhewasanintegralpart,immersinghimselfintheeffulgenceand,bysodoing,becomingbothapartofandonewiththewhole.
doing,becomingbothapartofandonewiththewhole.
Likeaskeinofdewthespheresstretchedtoallsides.Brilliant,shimmering,formingamoving,crystallinepattern,attheheartofwhichrestedtheheadquartersoftheCyclan.
TheCentralIntelligencewhichmadecontact,touching,absorbinghisknowledgeasaspongewouldsuckwaterfromapuddle.Mentalcommunicationofincredibleswiftness.
"Dumarest?"
Agreement.
"Probabilityoferror?PredictionslowonpossibilityofhisbeingonTradum.Basisforassumption?"
Explanation.
"Probabilityhigh.Variablefactorofdeliberaterandommovementnegatespreviouspredictions.TakeallstepstoensurethatDumarestisapprehended.Utmostpriority.Ofmosturgentimportancethatheisnotallowedtoescape.Fullprotectivemeasurestobeemployedatalltimes."
Understanding.
"Successfulculminationwillresultinadvancement.Allpreviousinstructionscanceled.FindandholdDumarest."
Therestwassheermentalintoxication.Therewasalwaysaperiodafterrapport,duringwhichtheHomochonelementssankbackintoquiescence.Thephysicalmachineryofthebodybegantorealignitselfwithmentalaffinity,butthemindwasassailedbyungovernedimpacts.Hsifloatedinanebonvoid,experiencingstrangememoriesandunknownsituations—fragmentsofoverflowfromotherminds,thediscardofaconglomerateofintelligences.ThebackwashofthetremendouscyberneticcomplexwhichwastheheartoftheCyclan.
Onedayhewouldbeapartofit.Hisbodywouldweaken,hissensesgrowdull,buthismindwouldremainactive.Thenhewouldbetaken,hisbrainremovedfromhisskull,immersedinanutrientvat,hookedinseriestothe
removedfromhisskull,immersedinanutrientvat,hookedinseriestothecountlessotherswhichformedCentralIntelligence.
Therehewouldrest,wait,andworktosolvealltheproblemsoftheuniverse.Everycyber'sideaoftheultimateparadise.FindandholdDumarestanditwouldbehis.
*
Leonstirred,sweating."Earl!Thathurts!"
"Notforlong."ThesalvewasastickypastewhichvanishedintotheskinbeneathDumarest'sfingers.Anumbingcompoundsmellingofpeatandcontainingthejuiceofvariousherbs.Acrudeanestheticwhichwouldeasethepainofbruisesanddiminishthenaggingagonyofthebrokenrib."Steadynow."
"Earl?"
"Steady—moveandyou'llbreaktheneedle."
Ahypogunwouldhavebeenmoreefficient,blastingitschargethroughskinandfatandflesh,butthesyringewouldhavetodo.Dumarestrestedhishandsontheboy'sside,feelingtheendsofthebrokenrib,hearingthesuddeninhalation,thebarelystifledcry.Quicklyhesettheboneand,liftingthesyringe,thrusttheneedlehome.Leonconvulsedasthetiphitbone.
"Holdstill,damnyou!"
Harshwords,buttheydidasintended.PrideheldtheboystillasDumarestfedthehormone-richcompoundfromthesyringeintotheareaaroundthebrokenrib.Itwouldhold,sealandpromoterapidhealing.Thethingdone,Dumarestthrewasidetheemptysyringeandreboundtheslendertorso.
"Youdonothingforthenextthreedays,"hesaidflatly."Youliethere,youeatandyousleep,andthat'sall.Understand?"
Leonliftedahandandwipedsweatfromhiseyes.Inthedimlightfromthe
Leonliftedahandandwipedsweatfromhiseyes.Inthedimlightfromthesinglebulb,helookedghastlypale.
"Andyou?"
"Nevermindme—we'retalkingaboutyou.Thatribwillhealifleftalone.Tryandacttheheroandyou'lllaceratealungandwindupdead,orinhospital."DumarestpickedupthethirditemwhichthepackagegivenhimbyBicWanhadcontained.Awrinkledpodwhich,squeezed,wouldreleaseapuffofspores.Anarcoticdustwhichwouldbringsleepand,hehoped,alooseandhonesttongue.
"Earl,we'retravelingontogether,aren'twe?"
"Maybe."
Alie,butavagueone.Whenhemovedon,Dumarestintendedtobealone.Crossingtheroomhelookedthroughthewindow.Thealleywasinthickshadow,vagrantbeamsofilluminationtouchingwalls,ashutteredwindow,acanofgarbage.Fromdownthehallcamethemonotonoussoundofcoughing,asChellArleptwaitedforthepanaceaofsleep.Moneycouldhavecuredhim,givenhimfreshlungsgrownfromtissuesoftheold,buthehadnomoney.
"Earl?"
"Yourhomeworld,"saidDumarestslowly."WhatmadeyousayitwasNerth?"
"Becauseitis."
"Youknowhowtogetbackthere?"
"Idon'twanttogoback."Leoneasedhimselfonthebed."Ineverwanttoseeitagain.ImanagedtogetawayandI'mstayingaway."
"Tellme,"saidDumarest."Doesithavealarge,silvermoon?Istheskyblueatdayandthinwithstarsatnight?"
"It'sgotamoon,"admittedtheboy."And,yes,abluesky.Thestarsarethintoo,butthat'sbecauseit'salongwayfromtheCenter.Justliketheyarehere.Why,Earl?What'syourinterest?"
Why,Earl?What'syourinterest?"
Dumarestsaid,"Leanback.Makeyourselfcomfortable.Closeyoureyes,that'sit.Nowbreathedeeply,deeply,good."Liftingthepodhesqueezedit,gustingafinesprayattheboy'smouth,seeingtheminutesporesenterthenostrilstobeabsorbedbytheinnermembranes.
Withinsecondshewasasleep.
"Leon,listentome."Dumarestdroppedtohiskneesbesidethenarrowbed."Answermetruthfully—haveyoueverheardoftheCyclan?"
"No."
"Didanyonetellyoutospeaktome,tomentionNerth?"
"No."
"Istheresuchaplace,ordidyoumakeupthenamebecauseyouwereafraidofsomething?"
"Nerth,"murmuredtheboy."No!Iwon't!"
"Steady!"HequietedbeneathDumarest'shand."Whatmadeyourun?"
"I—they,no!No,Iwon'tdoit!"
"Dowhat?Answerme,Leon,dowhat?"
Theboyshiftedonthebed,sweatshiningonhisface,hisvoicedeepening,takingonthepulseofdrums.
"Fromterrortheyfledtofindnewplacesonwhichtoexpiatetheirsins.OnlywhencleansedwilltheraceofManbeunitedagain."
ThecreedoftheOriginalPeople.Dumarestrose,staringdownatthebed,thefigureitcontained.Aboy,tooyoungtoknowwhathewassaying,orsomeoneprimedforjustsuchaneventuality.Thedrughe'dusedwasprimitive—anybiologicaltechniciancouldhaveprovidedconditioningagainstit,primedtheyoungsterwithintriguinganswerstoappropriatequestions.
Anyinformationhecouldgivewouldbevalueless,andalreadyhewasconvincedtheboyhadlied.
Aknockandhespunasthedoorswungopen.
"What—?"Thewomanwasmiddle-aged,dowdy,herfaceseamed,relievedonlybytheluminosityofhereyes.WidenowastheystaredatDumarest'sface,theglitterofthenakedbladeinhishand.
Hespokebeforeshecouldscream."Whatdoyouwant?"
"Theboy—Iheardthathewasill.IwonderedifIcouldhelp?"
"Areyouanurse?"Dumarestsheathedtheknife.
"Yes,inaway.Iworkatthehospitalandtrytohelpothersinmysparetime.ChellArlept,youknowofhim?"
"Thedyingman?Yes."
"Icallsometimes.There'snotmuchIcando,butatleastIcanhelphimtosleep.Iwondered—"
"WhatIwasdoingwithaknifeinmyhand?"Dumarestsmiled,casuallyatease."Youstartledme,that'sall."
"Theboy?"
"Hasbeentakencareof.Allheneedsnowistorest.Perhapsyoucouldlookintomorrow?"
"I'minnohurry."Shemovedtowardsthebed,smoothedbackthehairfromthepaleface."Icouldsitwithhimforawhile."Sheaddedmeaningfully,"I'msurethatyouhaveotherthingstodo."
Togodownstairs,tofindthewomanwhoranthehotel,togivehermoneyforLeon'skeep,moremoneytobegivenhimwhenhewoke.ThecostofaLowpassagewhichhewouldbeafooltousetoosoon,butDumarestcouldn'tleavehimstranded.
*
Therewastroubleatthefield.Dumarestsenseditasheapproachedthegate,slowingashestudiedthemenstandingaround.Toomanymenandtoomanyofthemwithoutapparentduties.Hardmenwithblankfaceswhoneedednouniformstobetraytheirprofession.Guardsandagents,watchfulandalert.
Theystoodinpatchesofshadow,scarcelymoving,rigidwiththepatiencewhichwaspartoftheirtrade.Apairofthemsteppedforwardasamannearedthegate,atallfigurewearinggray,thematerialscuffed,hisfeetunsteady.
"Youthere!"Oneoftheguardsshoneaflashlightintoaflushedandblinkingface."Name?"
"Connors.Why?"
"Justanswer.Youfromtheworkings?"
"Say,whatthehellisthisallabout?"
"Justanswer.Rawf?"
"Itcouldbe,"saidhiscompanion."Hefitstheroughdescription.Mister,you'dbettercomewithus."
"Me?Whatfor?LikehellIwill!"
"Suityourself,"saidthefirstman."Youwantithard,yougetithard.Rawf!"
Thesapmadeaflat,dullsoundasitlandedagainsttheman'stemple,knockinghimintoanunconsciousheap.
ThoughtfullyDumarestturnedaway.Thefieldsealed,acyberlanded—hefelttheclosingjawsofatrap.Soonthehospitalswouldbechecked,thedoctors,itwouldn'ttakelongforHsitoconnectisolatedincidents.Connectthemandextrapolateandpredictexactlywherehewastobefound.And,onTradum,
placeswerefewinwhichhecouldhide.Thecity,theworkings,theareasbeyondthemountainsimpossibletoreachonfoot.EventheHyeadcouldn'tliveoffthelandhere,betweenthemountainsandthesea.Andanyattempttohiretransportwouldleaveatrail.
Thefield—ithadtobethefieldandthefirstshiptoleave.But,already,hehadleftittoolate.
"ManDumarest!"
Thevoicecamefromtheshadows,aslightfigureinthedarknessmakingaformlessblur.Onewhichbecameastuntedshape,horned,ahandextendedforcandy.
"Word,manDumarest.Oneinscarlethaslanded.Youpromisedahighreward."
Toacreatureattheworkings—anotherproofoftherudimentarytelepathicabilityDumarestsuspectedtheHyeadpossessed.
"Youarelatewiththeword,"hesaidgently."Buttherewardwillbegiven.Canyouhelpmemore?"
"How,manDumarest?"
"Iwanttogetonthefieldunseen.Canitbedone?"
"Byus,no."
"Byothers?"
"Itispossible.TheoneknownasKiasongcouldhelp.Heistobefound—"
"Thankyou,"saidDumarest."Iknowwhereheistobefound."
Ayantelwasclosingdownwhenhearrived,sayingnothingashetooktheheavyshuttersfromherhands,watchingashesetthemintoposition.Theinteriorofthestallwashot,theairscentedwithspiceandroastedmeats.Asinglelampthrewaconeofbrillianceoverthecounterandcookingapparatus,shadowsclusteringinthecorners.AmongthemtheHyeadbustled,cleaning,
shadowsclusteringinthecorners.AmongthemtheHyeadbustled,cleaning,polishingskewers,settingcookedfoodtooneside,pilingtherestintocontainersoflambentfluid.
"I'mgladyoucameback,"shesaidwhenthestallwassealed."Youknowmyname,what'syours?"
Hetoldher,watchinghereyes.Ifsherecognizeditshegavenosign.
"Earl,"shemused."EarlDumarest.Ilikeit,ithasagoodsound.I'mgladthatyoudidn'tlie."
"Youwouldhaveknown?"
"Iknewthatyouwerecoming."Herhandlifted,gesturedattheHyead."Kiasongtoldme.Don'taskmehowheknew—sometimesIthinktheycanpickupvoicesfromthewind.Hesaidyouneededhelp.Isthatright?"
"Yes.I—"
"Later."Turningshesaid,"Kiasong,that'llbeallfornow.Takethecookedfoodandgivehalftothemonk.You'vegotthekey?"
"Yes,womanAyantel."
"Thengetonyourway."
"Wait."Dumaresthandedthecreatureacoin."Forcandy—andforsilence."
"Itisunderstood,manDumarest."
"Odd,"shesaidasKiasongleft."Theycreepaboutlikeghosts,workforscraps,andyetattimestheymakemefeellikeanignorantsavage.Whyisthat,Earl?"
"Adifferentculture,Ayantel.Adifferentsetofvalues.Asfarasweareconcerned,theyhavenoambition.Theyliveforthemoment—orperhapstheyliveinthepast.Or,again,theycouldregardthislifeasmerelyasteppingstonetoanother."
"Or,maybethey'rejustpractical,"shesaid."Weallhavetodiesowhyfight
"Or,maybethey'rejustpractical,"shesaid."Weallhavetodiesowhyfightagainsttheinevitable?Whywearyourselfouttryingtogetrichwhenthewormswillwinintheendanyway?"
"You'reaphilosopher."
"No,justawomanwhothinkstoomuchattimes."
"Andgenerous."
"BecauseIgiveKiasongafewscrapsandaplacetosleep?No,I'mpractical.Thefoodwillgotowasteanyway,andwithhimsleepinginhereI'vegotacheapwatchman."Shruggingsheadded,"Tohellwiththat.Let'stalkaboutyou.Youneedhelp—trouble?"
"Yes."
"Ifigureditmightbesomethinglikethat.Whatdidyoudo,killaman?"
"ApilferercalledBrad.Idon'tknowhisothernamebuthehadfriends."
"Brad."Shefrowned."Didyouhavetokillhim?"
"Hehadagun.Itwashimorme."
"Agun?MuldEvronarmshisscavengers.Brad,"shesaidagain."Mediumbuild,darkhair,scarredcheek?OperateswitharuntcalledElvach?"Shethinnedherlipsathisnod."OneofEvron'sboys.Youweresmarttopullout.You'dbesmartertogetthehelloffthisworldbeforetheycatchupwithyou.Isthatwhatyou'reafter?"
Dumarestnodded,lettinghermakethenaturalassumption."Icanpay,"hesaid."IfyoucanfixitIcanpay."
"Thathelps,"sheadmitted."Butit'lltaketime.Inthemeanwhileyou'dbetterstayoutofsight.Gotaplacetostay?"
"Icanfindone."
"AndbumpintooneofEvron'sscavengers?No,Earl,I'vegoabetteridea.Youcanstaywithme."Shesteppedtowardshim,lightglintingfromhereyes,
Youcanstaywithme."Shesteppedtowardshim,lightglintingfromhereyes,herhair.Herfleshheldthewarmscentofspice,theodoroffemininity.Sheliftedherarmstohisshoulders,awareofthemovementofherbreasts,thetemptationtheypresented."You'venoobjection?"
"No,"hesaid."I'venoobjection."
ChapterFive
Theroomwassmall,warmlyintimate,filledwithtriflesandsoftfurnishings;astuffedanimalwithglassyeyes,afadedbunchofflowers,aboxwhichchimedwhenopened.Thebedwasafrilledoasisofhedonisticcomfort,thepillowsedgedwithlace,thesheetsscentedwithfloralperfumes.Acarvedidolnoddedoveraplumeofincense,agildedclockregisteredthepassinghours.
Dumareststretched,rememberingthenight,thewarm,demandingheatofthewoman,thealmostsavageintensityofherembrace.Athingofneed,notaffection,thoughhesuspectedthataffectioncouldcomeandturnintolove.Onherside,nothis.Hecouldaffordnohamperingchains.
"Earl,awakeyet?"
Shecamefromthebathroom,smiling,radiant.Thethinmaterialoftherobesheworedidnothingtohidetheswellofhipsandthighs,theliquidmovementofherbreasts.Shestoopedandkissedhim,herlipslingering,hisownbodyrespondingtoherproximity.Ahungeraspressingasherown,aneedasintense.
Later,lyingsidebyside,theytalked.
"You'renice,"shesaid."Gentle.Alotofmenthinktheyhavetoberough.Iguesstheyreckontheyhavetoprovesomething,butnotyou."Thetipofherfingertracedthescarsonhischest."Knives?"
"Yes."
"Inthering?"Shedidn'twaitforhisnod."Afighter.Iguessedasmuch.Youhavethelook,thewalk.Whydomendoit,Earl?Forkicks?Formoney?Tostandandslashatsomeonewithanakedblade,togetcutinturn,crippledorkilled.Andforwhat?"
Forthetitivationofajadedcrowd,menandwomenhungryforthesightofbloodandpain,revelinginthevicariousdanger.Lyingbackonthescentedpillows,Dumarestcouldseethemashehadtoooftenbefore.Aringoffaces,
pillows,Dumarestcouldseethemashehadtoooftenbefore.Aringoffaces,moreanimalthanhuman,leaningforwardfromthegildedbalconiesofarenas,edgingthesquareofaring,shouting,screaming,fillingtheairwiththescentofferalanticipation.
And,always,therewasthefear,thetaintmixedwiththesmellofsweatandoilandblood.Theknowledgethataslip,asingleerror,amomentarydelayanddeathwouldcomecarriedonanakedblade.
"Why,Earl?"sheinsisted."Whydidyoufight?"
"Formoney."
"Justthat?"Herfingerranoverhisnakedbodydrifting,caressing."Amanlikeyoucouldgetitinotherways.Arichwomanneedingaplaything,amanneedingaguard.No?"
"No."
"Whynot,Earl?Youdon'twanttofeedoffawoman,right?Andtobeaguardistotakeorders.Idon'tthinkyou'dliketodothat,takeorders,Imean.Butifyouhadthechancetobeyourownboss?Toownyourownbusiness?"
Hesaid,dryly,"Suchasastallinamarket?"
"It'saliving."
"Foryou,maybe.Notforme."
"Notgoodenoughforyou?"Hervoicehardenedalittle."Boththestallandme,perhaps?Isthatit,Earl?"
"Isthatwhatyouthink?"
"ThentellmeI'mwrong,"shedemanded."Tellme!"
"Astallsellingsucculentmeats,"hesaidbleakly."Endlessfood—canyouguesswhatthatmeanstoatraveler?I'veknownmenwhoateinsectsinordertostayalive,grass,slime,thedroppingsofbirds.Andawomanlikeyourself—agifttoanymanwalkingunderanysun."
"Butnotyou,Earl."Reachingoutsherestedherfingersonhislips."Don'targue,Iknow,youhavetokeepmoving.Traveling,goingfromworldtoworld,alwaysdrifting,neversettlingdown.Why,Earl?Whatmakesyoudoit?"
Hesaid,"I'mlookingforsomething.AplanetcalledEarth."
"Earth?"Heheardhersharpinhalation,thenoteofincredulitywhennextshespoke."Youmustbejoking.Noworldhasthatname."
"Onedoes."
"But—Earth?"
"It'sanoldworld,"hesaid,hiseyesontheceiling,thecracksitcontained."Thesurfaceisscarredandtornbyancientwars.Agreatmoonhangsintheskyandthestarsarefewatnight.It'sarealplace,despitewhatlegendssay.Iknow,Iwasbornthere."
"Andyouwanttogoback?"
"Yes."
"Thenwhycan'tyou?Ifyouleftit,youmustknowwhereitlies?"
"Iwasyoung,"hesaid."Ascaredandhungryboy.IstowedawayonashipandwasluckierthanIdeserved.Thecaptaincouldhaveevictedme.Instead,heallowedmetoworkmypassage.Istayedwithhimuntilhedied,thenmovedon."
Shipaftership,journeyafterjourney,andeachtakinghimclosertotheCenterwherestarswerecloseandhabitableworldsthick.MovingonuntileventhenameofEarthhadbeenforgotten.Thecoordinatesunregistered,unknown.
Andthenthesearch,theendlessseemingquest,thehuntforclues.Earthexisted,heknewit.Oneday,withluck,hewouldfindit.Oneday.
"Earl."Herhandsweregentleastheytouchedhisforehead,hischeek.Thecaressamotherwouldgivetoachild,soothing,comforting."Justdon'tworryaboutit,darling."
aboutit,darling."
Shethoughthewasdeluded,maybealittledisturbed,amanfollowinganemptydream.Animpressionhewascontenttoleave.
"Whenwillyousetaboutmakingthearrangementsformetogetonthefield?"
"Later."Shestretchedbesidehim,musclesbunching,roundingthecontoursofherthighs,accentuatinghertorso,narrowingherwaist."Earl?"
Theidolnodded,smilingastheclocktickedon,murderingtheday.
*
Therendezvouswasatduskdownbythewharves,inasmallhutwhichheldthestenchofrottingfish,brine,themustyodorofnets.Dumarestwascautiousasheapproached.Thewomancouldbegenuine,buthercontacthaveotherideas.Twicehescoutedtheareaandthen,satisfiedhewasnotbeingfollowed,duckedthroughthenarrowdoor.Steppingimmediatelytooneside,hiseyeswerewideashesearchedtheinnergloom.
"YouDumarest?"
Thevoicecamefromoneside,aharshraspwhichechoedfromtherafters,theroofwhichhalf-filledonesideofthehut.AsDumarestansweredalightflared,settledtoaglow.Alanternfedbyrancidoil,fuming,addingtothesmell.Initslight,hecouldseeatallthinmanwithnarrowedeyesandamouthpulledupwardbyascarintoaperpetualsneer.
"ElmarShem,"hesaid."Wehaveamutualfriend,right?"
"Maybe."
"You'recareful,Ilikethat.Well,mister,ifthepriceisrightwecandobusiness.Whatdoyouoffermetogetonthefield?"
"Unseen?"
"That'sthedeal.Howmuch?
"Fifty."
"Toobad,mister,someone'sbeenwastingmytime."
"Andanotherfiftywhenwepart."Dumareststeppedforwardtowardsthelamp,thetableonwhichitstood."Ahundredtotal.Easymoneyforlittlework."
Shemsuckedinhisbreath.Heworeafadeduniformwithtarnishedbraid.Acheckeratthefieldwhoowedthewomanafavorand,soshe'dclaimed,couldbetrusted.Dumarestwasn'tsosure.
"Well?"
"It'slow,"Shemcomplained."They'vegotthefieldseweduprealtight.Everymanisscrutinizedandeveryloadsearched.Godknowswhattheywantyoufor,butithastobesomethingbig."
"Me?Aretheylookingforme?"
"Youfitthedescription."Shemhesitated."There'seventalkofarewardforthemanwhoturnsyouin."
"Fromwhom?Evron?"
"Well—"
"You'relying,"snappedDumarest."Andevenifyou'renot,it'snoneofmyconcern.Evron'safterme.HecouldbewatchingthegateandIdon'twanttobeshotinthebackasIpassthrough.Now,dowemakeadealornot?"
"Ahundred?"
"That'swhatIsaid."
"Thenthat'swhatit'llhavetobe."Shemproducedabottle,poured,handedDumarestaglass."Drinktosealthebargain?"
Dumarestliftedtheglass,pressedittohisclosedlips,watchingShem'seyes.Theylifted,flickered,fellagain.
"Howmanyshipsareonthefield?"
"Five—youwantspecifications?"
"No.Aremoreexpectedsoon?"
"Twoshouldarriveatdawn,anotherthreebeforenightfall.We'reprettybusyatthemoment."
Goodnews,ifshipswereduetoarrivethenothersmustbereadytoleave.Cargovesselsferryingprocessedmetals,otherswithloadsofcontract-workers,stillmorewithimportedstaples.Theworkingsmadeaceaselessdemandonmenandmachinereplacements,explosivesandtools—allwhichhadtobefetchedinfromnearbyworlds.
Dumarestsaid,"Howareyougoingtoworkit?"
"I'minchargeofabunchofworkers.I'llgetyouasetofdungarees,youchange,jointhebunchandwalkinwithus.Icanvouchforyou,andarrangeforamantofalloutsoyoucanreplacehim.Itwon'tbeeasy,butifwepicktherighttimeitcanbemanaged.I'llneedtheadvancenow."
Dumarestsaid,casually,"I'veseenthegate.Theycheckeachmanindividually.Howareyougoingtogetoverthat?"
"Itoldyou,theytrustme.Hell,man,youwantmetohelpyouornot?"
"I'llthinkaboutit.Seeyouherethistimetomorrow?"
"Hell,no!"Shemliftedhisvoice."Evron!"
Dumarestsmashedasidethelamp.Itfellonamassofwaddednets,bursting,sendingtonguesofflameovertheoiledstrands.Athreadofgunfirespatfromtheroofedsection,thereportofthepistolmuffled,aviciouscough,splintersflyingasleadslammedintothetable.Shemcriedout,fallingbackwards,thevictimofbadaiming.Dumarestcrouched,hisshoulderagainstawall,thepale
victimofbadaiming.Dumarestcrouched,hisshoulderagainstawall,thepaleframeofthedoortooneside.Fromtheburningsnetsroseathickcloudofrancidsmoke.
"Muld!Thefire!We'llbeburnedalive!"
"Shutup,watchthedoor,shootifhetriestoescape."Thevoicewasaferalpurr."Crell,Van,youdropfromthebackandgoaroundthesides.Move!"
Atrap,baitedandprimed.Onlyhisinstinctivecautionhadsavedhimfromtheclosingjaws.Buthestillhadtogetout.
Dumaresttensed,pressedagainstthewoodenplanksathisside,feltsomethingyieldalittle.Reachingouthefoundsomethinghardandround,afloatforoneofthenets.Hethrewittothefarsideofthehut,risingasitlefthishand,throwinghisfullweightagainsttheplankingasitfell.
Woodsplintered,nailsyieldingwithaharshsqueal,smokefollowinghimthroughtheopeningashelungedoutside.Somethingtoreathisscalptosendbloodoverhischeek,andagiant'shammerslammedathisleftheel.
Thenhewasout,running,dodgingasafigurerosebeforehim,onearmlifted,aiming,thehandheavywiththeweightofagun.
Ahandwhichfellbeneaththeupwardslashofhisknife,thefigurestaggering,screaming,tryingtoquenchthefountainofbloodgushingfromthestumpofhiswrist.
Dumareststooped,snatchedupthediscardedweapon,toretheseveredhandfromthebuttand,liftingit,closedhisfingeronthetrigger.Threeshotsaimedlowandinatightfan.Threebulletsalittlehigher,thesecondechoedbyashriek,thesoundofafallingbody.
Evron'ssnarlingvoice."Back,youfools,he'sarmed!"
Dumarestturned.Themanwiththeseveredhandwasleaningagainstabollard,hisfaceghastlyinthethickeningdust,acrimsonpoolathisfeet.Beyondhimmencamerunning,fishermenintentonsavingtheirnets,boathooksandgaffsheldintheirhands.Anear-mobwhowouldnotbegentle.Pastthehut,leadingtoaridgeandaroad,rananarrowpath.
leadingtoaridgeandaroad,rananarrowpath.
Dumarestracedtowardsit,almostfell,regainedhisbalanceasbulletshitthedirtinchesfromhisfeet.Quicklyheemptiedthegunattheburninghut,threwitasideandheadedfortheroad.Aditchlayontheothersideandheduckedintoit,crouchinglow,abluramongthevegetationwhichalmostfilledthenarrowgully.
Fromabovecamethesoundofrunningfeetandpantingbreath.
"Asetup,"thevoicewasbitter."CrelldeadandVanwithoutahand.Shem—"
"TohellwithShem!"Theferalpurrwassavage."Heshouldhavehandleditdifferent,insteadhemusthavearousedsuspicion.Gettheraft.He'sgottobearoundheresomewhere.We'llliftanddrift.Move!"
"Whybother?"Thethirdvoicewascynical."He'llgobacktothewoman.Allwehavetodoistogettherefirstandwait."
"Thewoman."Evronchuckled."Sure,whydidn'tIthinkofthat?Goodthinking,Latush.We'llmeetwithherandhaveaparty."
Threeofthem,close,lostinanticipationoflustandbestiality.Withinminutestheywouldbeairborneandoutofreach.Dumarestcouldwaituntiltheyhadgone,makehisownwaytothefieldanddohisbesttoeludethewatchers.
Butthewomanhadbeenkind.Herose,movingsilently,ashadowamongothershadows,seeingthethreesilhouettesdimagainstthesky.Twofacingeachother,athirdmovingawaydowntheroad,obviouslytocollecttheraft.Hishanddipped,rose,liftedwiththeknife,movedforwardtosendthesteelslammingintotheexposedback.Asthemanfellhesprangupontotheroadandlungedforward,handsstiffened,bluntaxeswhichliftedandfell.
Latushdiedfirst,hisneckbrokenasheturned,eyesglazedashefell.Evronwasluckier.Withtheinstinctofarathedodged,onehandclawingathisbelt,mouthopeningtoshoutorplead.
Dumaresthithim,bonesnappingbeneathhishand,thereachinghandfallingfromthebelt.Hestruckagainandbloodspoutedfromthepulpednose.
"ForGod'ssake!"Evronbacked,hisbrokenarmswinging,theotherliftedin
"ForGod'ssake!"Evronbacked,hisbrokenarmswinging,theotherliftedinmuteappeal."Youcan'tkillme,man!Youcan't!"
"Aparty,"saidDumarestthickly."Enjoyityouswine—inhell!"
Hestabbed,thetipsofhisfingerscrushingthelarynxthen,asEvrondoubled;choppedatthebaseoftheneck.
Likeacrushedtoadthemanslumped,dying,vomitingblood.
"Hey!"Avoicecalledfrombesidethesmolderinghut."There'sadeadmanhere.God,lookattheblood!"
"Here'sanother,shot.What'sbeengoingon?"
Murder,violenceandsuddendeath.Executiondealttothosewhodeservedit.Athreateliminatedandsomethinggained.Moneyandaraft,thewealththeycarriedonthem,thevehicleparkednearby.Dumarestcoulduseboth.
*
"Earl!"Ayantelstaredfromheropendoor,hereyesshocked."God,man,youlooklikehell!"
Bloodwhichhaddriedinuglysmears,dirtandslimeonhisclothingandboots,hishandsbegrimed,hishairamess.Hecouldhavewashedinthesea,butitwouldhaveriskedtoomuch.Insteadhehadflownhighintheraft,looking,waiting,droppingdowntotheroofofherapartment,lashingtheraftfirmlybeforeclimbingdowntoawindow,thenherlanding.
Hesaid,quickly,"Letmein."
"Youhurt?"Hervoicewastenseassheclosedthedoorafterhim.
"No,butIcoulduseabath."
"Abathandadrink,bythelookofit.Whathappened?"Herlipstensedashe
"Abathandadrink,bythelookofit.Whathappened?"Herlipstensedasheanswered."Shem,thebastard!Hesoldyouout.Metoo.Earl,ifEvron—"
"Hewon't."
"But—"
"Evronisdead.Idumpedhimandtwoofhisboysintothesea."Dumarestdroppedthebaghehadcarriedslungaroundhisneckbyabelt."Youdon'thavetoworryabouthim,Ayantel.Notnow,oreveragain.Now,where'sthatdrink?"
Itwasgoodandherelishedit,beforesteppingfullydressedundertheshower,rubbingthedirtandbloodfromhisclothing,themessfromhisboots.Stripping,hebathedasthewomandriedhisgear.Asidefromthelacerationsonhisscalp,hewasunharmed.Thebulletwhichhadhithisboothaddonenomorethanteartheheel.
Clean,dryinghimselfonafluffytowel,herejoinedthewoman,pouringhimselfanotherdrink.
"SoShemsetyouup,"shesaid."I'msorry,Earl.IthoughtIcouldtrusthim."
"AmIblamingyou?"
"No,butyouhavetheright."Shepoisedtheknife,rememberingthetracesofbloodithadcarried,thesmears."Howmany?"
"Doesitmatter?"
"Iwanttoknow,Earl."Herhandtightenedaroundthehiltashetoldherwhathadhappened."Youwerelucky,"shesaid."No,clever.Youguessedthattheywouldbewaiting.Whattippedyouoff?"
"Shemofferedmeadrink,buthedidn'tjoinme.Thestuffwasdrugged.Andhecouldn'tkeephiseyesfromtheroof.WhenIquestionedhimhehadthewronganswers.Asfortherest,forgetit,it'sover."
"Easytosay,"shesaid,"noteasytodo.Youcouldhavebeenkilled.Awastednight,allfornothing."
"No,"hecorrected."Notfornothing."
"No,"hecorrected."Notfornothing."
Thebaglaywherehehaddroppedit.Opened,itrevealedwallets,rings,heavy-bandedchronometers—theloothehadcollectedfromthedead.Quicklyhesortedit.Evron,asmostofhisbreed,hadlikedtocarryafatroll.Hisaideshademulatedhim.
"Thisisforyou."Hehandedawadofcashtothewoman."I'lltakethejewelery—youdon'twanttoriskhavingittraced."
"No."Sheshookherheadasshestaredatthemoney."No,Earl,Ihaven'tearnedit.Idon'tdeserveit."
"Wrongonbothcounts,"hesaidcurtly."Youhaveandyouwill.Canyouflyaraft?"
"Yes.Why?"
"I'vegotoneontheroof.Nowlisten,thisiswhatIwantyoutodo."
Shefrownedasheexplained."Now?"
"Now."Beforethealarmcouldbegiven,theauthoritiesbegintoinvestigate.Andbeforethecyber,sittinglikeagauntredspiderinhisweb,couldlearnnewfactswithwhichtobuildapredictiontogainhimhighrewards,andtheCyclancouldgetwhattheywantedmostofall.
Thesecretwhichhadbeenstolenfromoneoftheirhiddenlaboratories.Thecorrectsequenceinwhichthefifteenmolecularunitsneededtobejoined,inordertocreatetheaffinitytwin.
Kalinhadpasseditontohim,thegirlwiththeflame-redhairEarlwouldneverforget.Brasquehadstolenit,destroyingtherecords,dyinginturntokeepitsafe.Fifteenbiologicalmolecularunits,thelastreversedtodeterminedominantorsubmissivecharacteristics.
Anartificialsymbiotewhich,wheninjectedintothebloodstream,nestledatthebaseofthecortexandtookcontroloftheentirenervousandsensorysystems.Thebraincontainingthedominanthalfwouldtakeoverthebodyofthehost.Literallytakeover.Eachmove,everytouch,allsoundandsightandtaste,
host.Literallytakeover.Eachmove,everytouch,allsoundandsightandtaste,allwouldbetransmitted.Ineffect,itgaveanoldmanthepowertobecomeyoungagaininanew,virilebody.Abodyhewouldkeepuntilitwasdestroyed,orhisowndied.
ItwouldgivetheCyclanthegalaxytouseasaplaything.
Themindofacyberwouldresideineachandeveryrulerandpersonofconsequence.Theywouldbehelplessmarionettesmovingtothedictatesoftheirmasters.Slavesofthedesignsofthosewhoworethescarletrobes.
Theyknewofthesecretandwoulddiscoveritintime.Buttoomuchtime,thepossiblecombinationsranintomillions,wasneededtotestthemall.Evenattherateofoneeverysecond,itwouldtakefourthousandyears.
Dumarestcouldcutthattimedowntoahandfulofhours.Oncetheyhadhimtheycouldprobehisbrain,learnwhattheyneededtoknow,advancetheirdominationlikearedstainspreadonthestars.
"Earl?"
Heblinked,consciousthathehadfallenintoareverie,hoveredonthebrinkofsleep.Standing,helookedatthewoman.Sheworeacasualgown,aflowerinherhair,toomuchpaintonherface.Thescentofherperfumewasoverpowering.
"Isthiswhatyouwanted,Earl?"
"Yes."Hegrippedhershouldersandstaredintohereyes."Makenomistake,girl.Mylifeisinyourhandsnow.Youknowwhattodo?"
"Iknow."
"Good."Heturned,pickedupthebottleofbrandy,spilledthecontentsoverherhair,hershoulders,hergown."Thenlet'sgo."
ChapterSix
ItwaslateandDachLangwastired.Forfivehourshehadstoodguardatthegate.Nowitwashisturntomakeapatrolaroundtheinnerperimeterofthefence.Alongjourneyandauselessone.Thesummitwasfittedwithalarms.Ifanyonetriedtoclimbthemesh,theywouldbeshockedandcaught.Yettheordershadbeenplain.
"Dach!"Thefigureapproachingwasmuffled,hisfaceshadowedbythepeakofhiscap,hiscollarturnedhigh.HawFallafeltthechill."Abadnight,"hegrumbled."Andstillhourstowaitbeforedawn.Thiskindofthingmakesamanwishforhisbed."
"You'relate."
"Ihadthingstodo."Fallashruggedasidetheaccusation."Amanhashisneeds."
ToomanyandtoooftenasfarasFallawasconcerned,butthatwashisproblem.Dachcheckedhiswatch,madeanotationonhispadandtuckedthebookaway.Threeminuteslate.Withlucktheycouldmakeitup,butinanycasehewasintheclear.Two-manpatrols,theordershadsaid,andatwo-manpatrolitwouldbe.
"Let'sgetonourway."
Itwasgrowingcold,thewindfromtheseacarryingadriftofrain,sparklesclingingtothemeshofthefence,glitteringlikeminutegemsbeneaththeglowofthefloodlights.Anartisticscene,butonewhichneithermanappreciated.Theykepttheireyesdown,searchingforholes,forstrangers.
Notthatitwaseasy.Theshipsstoodclose,crewmenbusy,makingastragglinglinefromtheirvesselstothegate.Accustomedtothefreedomofspacetheyresentedthenewrestrictions,thechecksandquestionsatthegate.Therehadbeenalittletrouble,acoupleoffights,somebrokenheads.
Well,tohellwiththem.Dachhadhisownproblems.HebroodedonthemasFallaledthewayaroundtheperimeter.Sulenwasfullygrownnowandgettingrebellious.Marididn'thelp,whatwithherspendthriftways.Awomanshouldlookafterherdaughter,takeacloserinterestinwhatshewasgettinginto.Instead,shespendhard-earnedmoneyonclothesandpaintwhichmadeherlooklikeacreaturefromaseraglio.Ashameandadisgracetoanydecent,hard-workingman.Andthechanceswerehighthatifhewenthomenow,shewouldbeoutornotalone.
"Dach!"Fallahalted,staringupatthesky."Whatthehell—look,araft!"
Itsweptdownlow,almosttouchingthesummitofthefence,veeringoverthefieldasalarmssoundedfromthegate.Fromitcamethesoundofsinging,high-pitchedlaughter,thetrillofawoman'svoice.
"Thestupidbitch!"Fallabegantorun,wavinghisarms."Hey,youupthere!Youcrazyorsomething?"
Insaneordrunk,theonlyreasonableexplanation.Nooneflewoverafield,theriskwastoogreat.Withshipsleavingandlandingatanytime,theair-displacementwouldwreckanysmallercraft.AfactDumaresthadknown,ariskhehadtaken.
Helayflatinthebodyoftheraft,invisiblefrombelow,tensingasthevehiclejerkedbeneathAyantel'sinexperiencedhands.Shewasactingwell,alittletoowell.Onlybyatremendouseffortdidsheavoidbeingthrownovertheedge.
"Careful!"
"Icanmanage,"shewhispered.Then,loudly,"Hey,downthere!Youwannadrink?Youwannajointheparty?Howsaboutusallgettingtogether?"
"Mad,"saidDach."Stinkingdrunkandcrazy.Watchout!"
Heduckedastheraftsweptoverhishead,droppedtovanishbehindaship,liftedagainimmediatelytoswingtowardsthem,tosmackagainsttheground.
"Whew!"Ayantelfannedherself,thenreachedforabottle."Thatwasrough.Here,friends,helpyourself!"
Here,friends,helpyourself!"
Aspoiledbitch,theproductofdecadentluxury,half-naked,stinkingofliquor,outonacrazyspree.Yetshehadtoberich,orhavewealthyfriends.RaftswereexpensiveonTradum,especiallythesmall,personal-carrierkind.
DachslowedasFallagrippedhisarm.
"Takeiteasy,now.Handlehergently."
"Sheshouldbecanned!"
"Sure,butwhat'llitgetyou?"GiftedwiththesurvivalcunningofananimalFallamovedclosertotheraft,thewomanitcontained."Now,madam,"hesaidsoothingly,"youshouldn'tbehere.I'llhavetotakecareofyou.Ifyou'lljuststepoutofthatraft—"
"Gotohell!"
"It'sforyouownprotection.I'llcallyourfriendsandhavethemtakeyouhome.Youdon'twanttoriskyourprettyneckinaplacelikethis."
"Here!"Falladodgedasabottleswepttowardshishead.Asitlandedwithashatterofbreakingglass,theraftlifted."Solong,boys—buyyourselvesadrink!"
Moneyfluttereddown,ashowerofnotes,landingastheraftliftedoverthefence.Toohightobestopped,andtoshootitdownwastoinvitelatertrouble.
"Falla,she's—"
"Getthemoney,man!"Fallawaspractical."Wecan'tstophernow."
Noonecouldstopher.Withinminutesshewouldland,change,vanishintothenight.Theharlothadappearedunrecognizableasthewomanwhosoldmeatsatastall.
Dumarestrosefromwherehehadjumped,keepingthebulkofashipbetweenhimselfandtheguards.Theloadingportwasopen,ahandlerstaringinterestedlyatthecouplechasingthescatteredwealth.
interestedlyatthecouplechasingthescatteredwealth.
"Whenyouleaving?"
"What?"Heturned,lookingatDumarest."Notuntilnoon."
"Anythingdueearlier?"
"TheHamanara,she'sloadedandset.Andthere'stheGolquinovertoyourright.Say,didyouseethatdameintheraft?"
"Alooker."
"Youcansaythatagain."Thehandlersighed,enviously."Richtoo.Seehowshescatteredthatloot?Hell,somemenhavealltheluck.Youlookingforapassage?"
"Thatoraberth."
"TrytheGolquin.Theirstewardhadanargumentatthegateandgothisheadbroken.Youcouldbelucky."
*
Itwasavesselwhichhadseenbetterdays.Theplateswerestained,scarred,patchesbreakingthesmoothlinesoftheoriginaldesign.Therampwasworn,thelightsdimbeyondtheopenport,theairfilledwithamustytaintduetoancientfiltersandbadcirculation.Thecaptainmatchedhisship.
Hestoodgloweringinthepassageleadingintotheheartofthevessel,asquatmanwithsuspiciouseyes,heavybrowswhichjoinedtoformarussetbar,ashortbeardwhichhidatrapofamouth.
"Aberth?"
"Ifyouhaveone,Captain,yes."Dumarestadded,casually,"Iheardthatyourstewardranintosometrouble."
"Hewasdrunkandafool.You'vehandledthejobbefore?"
"Yes."
"Ifyou'relyingyou'llregretit."CaptainShwarbrockedbackonhisheels,thinking."Thegate,"hesaid."Didyouhavetroublecomingthrough?"
"None—what'sitallaboutanyway?"
"DamnedifIknoworcare.Canyouoperateatable?"ShwarbgruntedatDumarest'snod."Good.Well,thisisthedeal.Nopay,hardworkandahalfofwhatyouwinismine.Takeitorleaveit."
Ahardbargain,butDumarestwasinnopositiontoargue."I'lltakeit,Captain.Whendoweleave?"
"Inthirtyminutes.YoubunkwithArishall.We'reboundforMailarette."Headded,grimly,"Awarning.Youlookstraight,butyoucouldbekinked.IfIcatchyouusinganaloguesyougooutside.Understand?"
Arishallwastheengineer,oneoffadingskillandadvancingyears.Aquietmanwithmottledskinandpaleblueeyes.HerosefromhisbunkasDumarestenteredthecabinandintroducedhimself.
"Thenewsteward,eh?"Arishallwavedtoacabinet."That'syours.Urian'saboutyoursizesohisgearshouldfit.Wantsomeadvice?"
"Suchas?"
"Stayoffkicks.Thecaptain—"
"Iknow.Hetoldme."
"Don'tthinkhedoesn'tmeanit.Helosthiswifetoaguywhothoughthewasagorilla.Sincethenhecan'tstandanyonewhousesanalogs.Ican'tsaythatIblamehim.Aman'saman,whythehellheshouldwanttoadoptthecharacteristicsofabeastIcan'timagine.Youdrink?"
"Attimes."
"Withmeit'smedicine."Arishallproducedabottleanddrankfromitsneck."Thisisbetweenus,right?"
Dumarestnodded,openingthecabinetandtakingouttheuniformitcontained.Itwasclean,thecolorsbright,andstrippinghedonnedit.Aboxheldahypogunandacontainerofdrugs,quicktimeandtheneutralizer.Checkingtheinstrument,Dumarestloadeditwithampulesfromthecontainer.
"Howmanycrew?"
"Me,Shwarb,Dinokthenavigator."
"Nohandler?"
"IdoubleupandyouhelpmeifIneedit."Theengineerdrankfromthebottleagain."TheGolquin'safreetrader—ordidn'tyouknow?"
Theconditionofthevesselhadtoldhimthat,theminimumcrewmadeitobvious.Operatingonalowbudget,makingaprofitwhereandhowitcould,thecrewpaidbysharesafterallexpenseshadbeencovered.Somefreetraderswerebetterthanothers—theGolquinwasoneoftheworst.
"Yes,"saidDumarest."Iknew."
"Andyoudon'tcare?"
"Workingapassageisbetterthanpaying."
"Andyou'veworkedonfreetradersbefore,right?"ArishallpursedhislipsasDumarestnodded."Good.Ithelps.DoagoodjobandmaybeShwarbwillofferyouaregularberth.He'shard,butfair."Hetookafinaldrink."Well,I'dbettergetwithit.Seeyou,Earl."
Thealarmsoundedtwentyminuteslater.Dumarestmadetheseal-checkandreportedtothecontrolroom.Twominuteslaterhefeltthevibrationofthedrive,theliftofthevesselastheErhaftfieldwasestablished,carryingtheshipupandouttowardsthestars.Amanmademissilemovingatavelocityagainstwhichthatoflightwasacrawl.
Takingthehypogun,hewentintothesalon.Fivepassengerswereriding
Takingthehypogun,hewentintothesalon.FivepassengerswereridingHigh;agrizzledminingengineer,asuaveentrepreneur,atraderandtwowomen,neitherofthemyoung,bothofthemretiringfromthestressofanancientprofessionbeforetheybitthebottom.Onesmiledasheapproached.
"Thisisabonus.Astewardwholookslikeaman.Canyougiveagirlrelaxationifshecan'tsleep,mister?"
"Cutitout,Hilma,"saidhercompaniontiredly."IfyouhopetopickupahusbandonMailaretteyou'dbetterlearntowatchyourtongue."
"Oldhabits,Chi."Thewomanshrugged."ButIguessyou'reright.Well,friend,wheredoyouwanttoputit?"
"Intheneck."
Dumarestliftedthehypogunasthewomantiltedherhead,firingthechargeofdrugintoherbloodstream.Thereactionwasimmediate.Sheseemedtofreeze,tobecomeastatueashermetabolismslowed.Eachact,theblinkofaneye,abreath,theliftofafingertookfortytimeslongerthannormal.
Withinsecondstheotherpassengershadbeentreated.AsDumarestturnedfromthelast,hesawamanstandingandwatchingfromthedoorofthesalon.
"Soyou'reDumarest,"hesaid."I'mDinok,thenavigator."
Hisuniformwasimpeccable,thematerialcarryingthesheenofnewness,braidandinsigniagleamingwithpolish.Asmallman,fastidiousinhisappearance,Dinokworehishairshort,hisfacehairlessasidefromathinmustache.Hishandsweresmooth,thenailspolished,neatlyfiled.
"Neat,"heapproved,glancingatthepassengers."Youhitthemwhereitcounted.Iliketoseeamanwhoknowshiswork."
"DidShwarbsendyoutocheck?"
"Wouldyoucareifhedid?"Dinokshrugged,notwaitingforananswer."Nowyoucleanthecabins,preparethebasic,fillthehoppersandthengettoworkatthetable."Heglancedatwherecardsanddicestoodonanexpanseofgreenbaize."Ifit'syourstyletocheat,don'tgetcaught."
greenbaize."Ifit'syourstyletocheat,don'tgetcaught."
Dumarestliftedthehypogun."Whendoyouwantit?"
"Thecaptainandmetakecareofourselves.GiveArishallashotafteryou'vedonethechores—butIguessyouknowthesystem."Dinokpursedhislipsashestaredatthewomen,themen."Scum,"hesaid."Butthebestwecanhopefor.Ifyougettipsyou'llbelucky."
Dumarestcaughtthenoteofdisdainintheman'svoiceandcouldguessthereason.Dinokhadbeenusedtobetterthings.Anofficer,perhaps,onaluxuryvesselwhereapartofhisdutywouldhavebeentoentertain.Agoodjobforamanwiththeinclinationtodoit—onehewouldhavehatedtolose.
Hesaid,casually,"Whendidtheybook?"
"Wegotthemfromtheagent,somecouldhavebeenwaitingforweeks.Butyou?WhatmadeyoujointheGolquin?"
"Ineededthejob."
"Don'tweall?"Dinokscowled,amancaughtinatrapofhisownmaking.Drinkordrugs,oranalliancewiththewrongwomanatthewrongtime.Somethinghadsenthimonthedownwardpathwhich,asyet,hadn'tended.Thatwouldcomewhenhegrewcarelessabouthisappearance,casualastohisduties.Then,hewouldbekickedouttorotonsomelonelyworld."Well,Earl,I'llleaveyoutoit.Watchoutfortheentrepreneur—Idon'ttrusthistype."
*
RenDhalwassmooth,skilled,deftwiththediceandcleverwiththecards.AmanwhohadestablishedasmallbusinessonTradum,sellingoutwhentheoppositiongrewtoostrong.Movingonnowtoseekfreshopportunities.
"They'reeverywhere,"hesaidashesatatthetable."Butittakesasmartbraintorecognizethem.OnHeiglet,forexample,Inoticedthatthreetavernswerecompeting.Iarrangedamerger,raisedthepricesandtookaniceprofit.All
werecompeting.Iarrangedamerger,raisedthepricesandtookaniceprofit.Allitrequiredwassomefasttalking."
Dumarestdealtthecards,playingwithoutrealinterest,merelydoingapartofhisjob.Asalwaysonanyjourney,lifehadsettledintoaroutine.Playandtalkpassedthetime.Workalittlemorewhen,thequicktimeinhisbloodneutralized,heattendedtowhathadtobedone.
Thecabinssearched,baggagechecked,lookingforanysignsthatthepassengerswerenotexactlywhattheyclaimedtobe.Hehadfoundnothingsuspicious.
"Timetoeat,"heannounced,andwenttodrawtherationsofbasic.Elementaryfood,aliquidthickwithprotein,sicklywithglucose,lacedwithvitaminsandessentialelements.Acupwouldprovideenoughenergyforaday.
Thetradergruntedasheacceptedhisration.Adourmanwhospentlonghoursstudyinglistsoffigures,computinghismarginsofprofit.Herarelyspokeandseemedtoholdagrievanceagainstthegrizzledengineerwhohadformedanattachmentwithoneofthewomen,carelessastoherpast.
"Food."Chipulledaface."Isthatwhatyoucallit?Hilma,wecouldbemakingamistake.OnTradum,atleastwehadsomethingdecenttoeat."
"Andwillagain."Hilmaglancedattheengineer.Hewasold,buthehadmoneyandwasasgoodasshecouldhopetoget.Smilingshesaid,"Tothefuture,Gramon,mayitbepleasant."
"I'lldrinktothat."Hesipped,beaming."It'llbegoodtosettledown.I'vehadenoughoftravelingandI'vebreathedinalltherockdustmylungswilltake.Say,Chi,I'veafriendwhomightbeinterestedinyou.Afarmer—yougotobjectionstolivingonafarm?"
Thenearestthingtohellshecouldimagine,butamancouldbechangedand,ifheownedland,hewasworthlookingat.
"Hisownfarm?"
"Ofcourse.Warshandmegrewuptogether.HiswifediedadecadeagoandIfigureit'stimehegotanother.Tellyouwhat,I'llfixitupassoonasweland.
Ifigureit'stimehegotanother.Tellyouwhat,I'llfixitupassoonasweland.Havedinnertogetherandtalkthingsover.Agreed?"
Theyweretalkingtoomuch,ignoringthetable,andDumarestriffledthecards.
"What'llitbe,friends?Starsmash,olkay,nine-nap,spectrum?"Theyweren'tinterested,notthatitmattered.DumarestcouldtakeShwarb'sdisappointment.And,soonnow,thejourneywouldbeover.
Theylandedatdawn,whentheterminatorwasbisectingthefield,earlymistblurringoutlines,athinfogwhichhadnotyetburnedaway.Dumareststoodattheheadoftherampaswasexpected.Dinokhadbeenright,therewerenotips.
"Withabunchlikethatyou'reluckytogetasmile,"scowledArishall."Howdidyoumakeoutatthetable?"
"Poor."
"Badnewsforthecaptain."Arishallshrugged."Well,hecan'tgrumble.Inthisgameyouhavetotakeitasitcomes.Earl,Ineedyourhelp."
Dumarestglancedatthefield,themist.Itwasagoodtimetoleave.
"Itwon'ttakelong,"saidtheengineer."Adump-jobdowninthehold.Somepoordevildidn'tmakeit."
Helookedverysmallashelayinthecasketdesignedforthetransportationofbeasts,butinwhichmencouldride,doped,frozenandninety-percentdead.RidingLow,riskingthefifteen-percentdeathrateforthesakeofcheaptravel.Agamblewhichhehadtakenoncetoooften.
"Akid,"saidArishall."Ididn'twanttotakehim,butShwarbinsisted."
Dumarestmadenocomment,lookingattheceilingwheresomeonewithatouchofimaginationhadpaintedasmilingface.Awoman'sfacewithliquideyesandasoftlyinvitingmouth,hairwhichwaswreathedinamassofgoldencurlsoverasmoothbrow.Herthroataccentuatedtheslopeoftheshoulders,theuppercurvesofbarelyportrayedbreastswhichvanishedintoadepictedcloud,amassofvaporwhichframedtheportraitwithamilkyfleece.ThelastthingLeonHarveyhadseen.
Harveyhadseen.
"Akid,"saidArishallagain."Iguessedhewouldn'tmakeit.Hewastoothin,toopuny.Heshouldhavewaited,fattenedhimselfup—well,tohellwithit.It'sallapartofthejob."
"Somethingwrong?"Dinokenteredtheholdandfrownedashelookedatthedeadboy."Hell,Iknowhim."
"Fromwhere?"Dumarestwassharp."Nerth?"
"Nerth?No,Shajok.Itwashisfirsttrip."
"Areyousureaboutthat?"
Dinokshrugged."I'dgambleonit,Earl.Youknowhowitiswithfirst-timers.Nomatterhowtheytrytocoveritup,itshows.Thekidwasgreen.Hedidn'tknowenoughtoargueaboutthepricewhenShwarbcheatedhim.Hewasinasweat,eagertogetaway.KnowingShajok,Ican'tblamehim."
"Arishall?"
"IrememberShajok,butnottheboy,"saidtheengineer."Urianhandledit.Iwasbusygettingareplacementpartfortheengine.TheyhadhimsealedbythetimeIgotback."
"Andwhenheleft?"
"Arishallwouldn'trememberthat,Earl,"saidthenavigatordryly."He'dtakenalittletoomuchofhismedicine.WefirstdroppedtheboyonAestelliaandhemusthavemovedontoTradum.IguessherecognizedtheGolquinandfeltathome.Nowhe'sdead.Apity,butthat'sthewayitgoes."Hestooped,feltunderthecasket,roseholdingthecheapfabricbagLeonhadcarriedinhishand."Let'sseeifheleftanythingworthhaving."
Hisclothes,acheapringwithachippedstone,afoldingknifewithawornblade,arasp,athinbook,somethingwrappedinacloth,afewcoins.
Dinoksetthemasideasheunwrappedthebundle.Itcontainedaslabofgraymaterialsixincheslong,fourwide,threethick;ablockofartificialstonewhich
materialsixincheslong,fourwide,threethick;ablockofartificialstonewhichhadbeenroughlycarvedintotheshapeofanidol.
"Rubbish."Dinokwasn'tdisappointed,thosewhotraveledLowcarriedlittleelse."Ahobby,Iguess.Itlooksasifhe'dworkedonit.Wantit,Arishall?"
"No,northisjunkeither."Theengineertossedasidethebook."It'sallyoursifyouwantit,Earl.Youtakethegearandwe'llsplitthecoins.Adeal?"
"Icanusethebag."Dumarestliftedit,filleditwiththeidol,thebookandotheritems."I'lldumptherest."
"Talkingaboutdumping,we'dbettergetonwiththejob.You'dbetterlifthim,Earl,whileI—"
"I'vequit,"saidDumarest."Dinokcangiveyouahand."
*
Themistwasslowinclearing.Whileitheld,trafficwouldbescanty.Acafebeyondthegatesoldavarietyofcheapfoodanddrink.Dumarestboughtamugofcoffeeandsatnursingit,lookingatthefewotherstheestablishmentcontained.Itwasearlyyet.Lateritwouldfillwithworkers,transients,crewsassemblingandkillingalittletime,agentsonthelookoutforcheaplabor.Allpotentialsourcesofinformation.Nowtherewastimeforthought.
Leonwasdeadandhisknowledgehaddiedwithhim.Hemusthaveawokenbackatthehotel,findinghimselfalone,rejected,searchingtownandfieldforthemanhehadbelievedtobeafriend,findingthefamiliarvesselandbookingtheonlypassagehecouldafford.
Aboywhohadliedastotheplanetofhisorigin.Shajok,notNerth,andyetundertheprimitivetruthdrughehadstucktothatname.
Thename—sotantalizinglysimilar.AndthecreedoftheOriginalPeople,thatstrangecultwhichbelievedinacommonworldoforiginforallthediverseracesofmankind.Ahidden,secretgroupwhosoughtnoconvertsbutwhocould,
racesofmankind.Ahidden,secretgroupwhosoughtnoconvertsbutwhocould,perhaps,holdinformationofvalue.
Twoscrapsofsucculentbaitforanyonesettingatrap—andDumaresthadsensedatrap.Buttheboywasdeadand,byhisdeath,hehadprovedhisinnocence.
Dumarestsippedathiscoffeeandthenexaminedtheitemshehadtaken.Theclothingwasexactlywhatitappearedtobe,cheapmaterials,theseamswelded,unbroken.Heranfingersovereveryinch,findingnothinghiddenthere.Theringwasatawdryadornment,probablyboughttouseasaprimitiveknuckleduster.Dumarestheldituptothelight,turningitasheexaminedthestone,theinterioroftheband.Holdingthemetalhestruckthestoneforcefullyagainstthesurfaceofthetable,checkingitasitvibratedfromtheimpact.Nothing.
Thewornknife,theraspandbagwerewhattheyappearedtobe.Theblockofartificialstonefromwhichtheidolwascarvedwasdense,thesurfaceyieldingreluctantlytothetouchoftherasp.Dumarestexaminedit,foundthesurfaceuncracked,themassobviouslysolid.Settingitdown,hepickedupthebook.
Itwasathinpublicationwithplasticcovers,thepagescrammedwithamassofcondensedinformation.Avarietyoffactsandfigures,mathematicalformulae,chemicalcompounds,astronomicaldata,thecoordinatesofathousandworlds,alistofsurvivaltechniquestobefollowedinhostileenvironments.Abookwhichwouldbetheprideofanyadventurousyoungster.Athingwhichanewtravelermightthinkofasessential.
Dumarestflexedthecovers,narrowedhiseyesashefeltaninconsistency.Heliftedtheknifefromhisbootandcarefullyslidtherazor-sharpedgealongtheinteriorbinding.Thepointslippedintoanarrowopening,liftedittorevealwhathadbeentuckedintothepocketthusmade.
Aphotograph.Oneshowingasmilingwomanwithastronglybonedface,deep-seteyesofapeculiaramber,paleblondehairdrawnbackfromherfaceandheldwithametalfillet.Hergarbwasmasculine,pantsandtunicofdullgreen.Aneldersister,perhaps,orarelativeofsomekind.Butitwasn'tthewomanwhoheldDumarest'sinterest.
Shehadbeenshownstandingbeforeawalltoppedwithapeakedroof,ahouseorrepositoryofsomekind.Onit,visibleagainstthedullstone,resteda
houseorrepositoryofsomekind.Onit,visibleagainstthedullstone,restedapeculiardesign.
Dumareststaredatit,narrowinghiseyes,followingthelineswhichjoinednodulesofbrightness,asiffragmentsofbrokenglasshadbeenjoinedandincorporatedintoasymbolicrepresentation.
Afish.Brightpointsglintingbyreflectedlight,sothatthedesigngainedanaddedimpact.
Thefishwithshiningscales!
Dumarestloweredthephotograph,leaningback,barelyconsciousoftheincreasedactivitywithinthecafe.Acoincidence,ithadtobe,onemoretosetbesidetherest—andyetcoincidenceshappened.LeoncouldhavebelongedtotheOriginalPeople—thatstrange,hidden,quasi-religiouscult.TheycouldknowoftheexactwhereaboutsofEarth.Thedesigncouldbeavisualpartofamnemonicwhichhadoncebeentoldtohimonadistantworld.
TheRam,theBull,theHeavenlyTwins,andnexttheCrab,theLion,theVirgin,andtheScales.The
Scorpion,theArcher,theGoat,theWaterBearer,andtheFishwithshiningscales.
Thesignsofthezodiac.Twelvesymbols,eachrepresentingaportionoftheskyrunninginacompletecircle.Oncehefoundaworldsurroundedbythosesigns,hewouldhavefoundEarth.
Astellaranaloguecoulddoit,patternssetupbyacomputer,constellationsarrangedasseenfromanyviewpoint.Oncehecouldfeedinthepatternsofstarscomprisingthezodiacthethingwouldbedone,thelongsearchover.
Butfirstheneededtoknowjustwhatthosestarswere,theirnumbersanddisposition.Leon'speoplecouldprovidetheanswer.AndLeonhadcomefromShajok.
ChapterSeven
Itwasgoingtobeagoodday.BholKinabalufeltitthemomenthewoke,thefeelingreenforcedashedrewbackthecurtainsandlookedthroughthewindow.Thewindwasbriskfromtheplains,thepennonssetonpolesaboveeachhousestandingsteadyastheypointedtowardsthemountains.Openingthewindowhesniffedattheair,crisp,clean,carryingthescentofulumen.Theharvestpromisedtobeexceptionalthisyear;withonlyamodicumofluckhewouldtreblehisinvestment.
"Mylord."Hischeerfulnesswascontagious.Thegirlinthebedsmiledasshestretched,thensatupright,thecoversfallingfromhernakedtorso."DidIfindpleasureinyoureyes?"
Aslightthing,young,yetwithaferaldeterminationtosurvive.Kinabalucouldappreciatethatashecouldappreciateotherthings;hishouse,hisfortune,theenterprisesinwhichhewasinvolved.Heturnedfromthewindow,athick-set,stockyman,hisebonskinglowingwithgoodhealth.AHausi,castemarkslividonhischeeks.
"Yousleptwell?"
"Deeply,mylord."Herarmsliftedininvitation,fallingas,smiling,heshookhishead."No?"
"No."Hesawthesuddenfearinhereyesandquicklyeasedherfears."Youpleaseme,girl,butthesunhasrisenandthereismuchtodo.Hurrynowandpreparebreakfast.Viniawilltellyouwhattodo."
Viniawhowouldundoubtedlybejealous,butwhowasmatureenoughtorecognizethatamanneedednoveltyinhissensuouspursuits.Shewouldtrainthegirl,teachherthattherewasatimeforindulgence,othersforfoodandrest.Demarkationsofthedaywhichleftthegreaterproportionofittotheaffairsofbusiness.
Business—theverystuffoflifetoallwhobelongedtotheHausi.
Business—theverystuffoflifetoallwhobelongedtotheHausi.
Themealwassimple,tisane,breadtoastedanddrenchedinbutter,aportionofsweetcompote,ahandfulofdriedfruits.Kinabaluateslowly,enjoyingthetastesandconsistency,sippingatthepungenttisane.Agoodtimeinwhichtorecallthepleasuresofthenight,thethingsneededtobedoneduringtheday.
Theharvest—itwoulddonoharmtosendamantoexaminethecrop.Thefarmerswerebasicallyhonest,yettherealwayswasthetemptationtocheat.Alittletheftwastobeexpected,butamansenttocheckandinvestigatewouldkeepittoaminimum.Kinabalumadeanoteandturnedtothenextitem.
TheshipmentoftoolsfromElgwouldarrivetodayontheZandel.Asagent,hemustarrangefortheirtransportationtotheShagribPeninsular.MaynaChowwouldarrangeit,buttherewouldbehagglingoverthecost.MarZelmatthewarehousewasalittletoogenerousinhispricingofthethingsbroughtinfortrade.DeliaOgezwaslateinherpayment.True,tradehadbeenpoor,butsuchdelaymustnotbeencouraged.ThetavernattheendofQuendelStreet—KinabalusighedasaknockheraldedtheentryofVinia.
"Whatisit?"
"AnurgentcallfromJalchMoore,mylord.Heinsiststhatyouspeakwithhim."
"YoushouldhavetoldhimthatIwasout."
"Iapologize,mylord,but—"
"Nevermind."
Kinabalurosefromthetable,consciousofaflawintheday.Viniahaddoneitdeliberately,ofcourse,aminorrevengeforhishavingbroughtanotherwomanintothehouse.Amistake,perhaps,butonenowmadeandtobelivedwith.AsJalchMoorehadtobelivedwith—butwhywasthemansopersistent?
Heglaredfromthescreen,athinfacewithdeep-seteyes,hairthecolorofsun-bleachedstraw,athinmouth,achinwhichsportedatuftofbeard.
"Kinabalu!"Hisvoicewasanangryrasp."I'vebeentryingtocontactyou.
"Kinabalu!"Hisvoicewasanangryrasp."I'vebeentryingtocontactyou.Wherehaveyoubeen?"
"Busy,mylord."
"Onmyaffairs,Ihope.HowmuchlongermustIwait?"
Kinabalumaskedhisirritation.Themanwasapest,buthismoneywasgood.Anagreementmadehadtobekept.
Hesaid,quietly,"Mylord,wehavebeenoverthisbefore.Theequipmentisreadyandwaiting,butitwouldbemostunwiseofyoutoleavewithoutprotection."
"Wehavearms."
"True,butthereareotherconsiderations.Youneedaguideandaguard,oneatleast.Ihavesuggestedmanymenwhoarecapable."
"Fools,"snappedMoore."Icanreadamanaswellasmost.Allyou'vesentmeareidiotswhowillbemoretroublethantheyareworth.SurelyyoucanfindamanofthetypeIneed?Orareyoutellingmethat,onallShajok,therearenothingbutspinelesscharactershopingforfreefoodandeasypay?"
Themanwasbeingunfairandmustknowit,yetKinabaluhadtoadmitthathehadapoint.Butwhatmaninhisrightmindwouldagreetojoinsuchacrazyexpedition?TheyknewofthedangersifMooredidnot.Athinghehadalreadyexplainedadozentimes,tonoavail.
"TheHausihaveareputation,"saidMoorebitterly."IplacedallarrangementsinyourhandswiththepromisethatIwouldreceivesatisfaction.Idonotthinkyourguildwouldbehappytolearnofmydisappointment."
Athreat,aminorone,butathreatallthesame.Theguildwouldnottakekindlytoanycomplaintofsuchanature.Thefailureofonereflectedontheabilitiesofall.EventhoughShajokwasarelativelyunimportantworld,anycomplaintwouldcreateanunpleasantsituation.
Kinabalusaid,soothingly,"Mylord,beassuredthatIamdoingmybest.Ipersonallyguaranteethatyouwillbeabletoleaveverysoonnow."
personallyguaranteethatyouwillbeabletoleaveverysoonnow."
"Soon?Justwhatthehelldoesthatmean?"
"Soon,mylord."
"Aday?"Moorewasinsistent."Two?Givemeatime,man.Ihavetoknow."
"Two."
Agamble,butonewhichhadtobetaken.Twodaystofindtherightkindofman,onewhowouldsatisfyJalchMoore.Ifnecessaryhewouldofferabonus—alostprofit,butamaintainedreputation.Butitneednotcometothat.TheZandelwasdueinatnoon.
*
Itwasasmallshipoperatingaregularroute,embracingahandfulofworlds.Smallcargoesandfewpassengers,butitcontactedVonstatewhereothershipslanded.Asidefromoccasionalfreetraders,itandoneotherweretheonlyvesselstouchingShajok.
Kinabaluwasatthefieldwhenitlanded,hearingthecrackofdisplacedairfromabove,watchingasitsettledinahazeofblueluminescencefromitsErhaftfield.Fromforceofhabithestudiedtheotherswaiting.WenLarzeagerfortourists,Zoryahoveringinthehopeofmakingaprivatedealwiththecrewforanythingtheymayhavecarried,Frendwhoneededcheaplaborforhismine,Chaquewhohadnothingbettertodo.
HenoddedtoKinabalu."How'sthenewacquisitionmakingout,Bhol?"
Anindiscreetquestionandoneintheworstpossibletaste.TheHausiignoredit.
"Whyareyouhere,Agus?"
"Looking."Themanturnedtowardsthevessel,theopeningport."Haveyou
managedtosatisfyMooreyet?"
Heknewtoomuch,hisquestionsweretoopointed,butthatwastobeexpected.Adilettantewithtimetokillandcuriositytobesatisfied.Kinabalulookedathim,studyinghisreachedhair,thefacewhichseemedtobeprematurelyold,thelinestoodeepfortheyouthfulskinandeyes.
"I'mworkingonit."
"Andwithsuccess?"Chaquepartedhislipsinsilentlaughterastheothermadenocomment."You'llhavetoworkharder,myfriend.Sireyhastakenajobwithaharvester.Ithoughtthatyouwouldliketoknow."
Theguide!Kinabaluthinnedhislips.Themanhadpromised,buthadobviouslybrokenhisword.That,orhehadbeenbribedaway.Twomentofindnowinsteadofone—andguideswerescarce.
"Ofcourse,"saidChaquecasually,"areplacementcouldalwaysbefoundifthepricewasright.Thepriceortheprospectofsatisfaction."
"You?"
"Perhaps."
"Whatdoyouknowofthemountains?Moorewantsgoodmen.He'ddiscoveryouforwhatyouareinamatterofminutes."
"AndwhatamI,Bhol?"Turning,Chaquelookedtheothermanintheeyes,hisownsurprisinglydirect."I'vehuntedandIknowthearea.I'vespentasmuchtimeinthefoothillsasanyofyourvauntedguides.JustbecauseIcan'tseethesenseinmakingmoremoneythanIneeddoesn'tmakemeafool.Thereareothervalues.AndI'llbefrank,theadventureappealstome.Atleastitwillbreakthemonotony."
Theadventureandotherthings,IdunaMooreforone.Abeautifulwomandespitehermannishways.AchallengetoanyonelikeChaque,withhisenhancedself-esteem.Hewouldfail,ofcourse,andfailingperhapsturnugly,butthatwouldbeMoore'sproblem,nothis.
"Youknow,Bhol,youdon'treallyhavemuchchoice.Sireyprobably
"Youknow,Bhol,youdon'treallyhavemuchchoice.Sireyprobablyrecognizedhisfollyandwhoelsecouldyoufind?Ithinkyoushouldconsidermyoffer."
"ThedecisionisMoore's."
"True,buthehaslesschoicethanyourself."Chaquesmiled,confidentofhisposition."Ofcourseyoucouldwashyourhandsofthedeal,butIdon'tthinkyou'dliketodothat.Right?"
Kinabalusaid,"Thepayis—"
"Iknowwhatthepayis.Iwantanincreaseoffiftypercent."
"You'lltakewhat'soffered."TheHausiwasfirm."Andyou'llhavetotalkMooreintoacceptingyou.That'sthebestIcanoffer,Agus.PersonallyIdon'tthinkyoustandachance,butIwon'tspeakagainstyou."
Aproblemsolvedifthemanagreed.KinabalufeltaninwardrelaxationasChaquenodded.Theguidewasreplacedatleast,whichleftthesituationasbefore.Heglancedattheship.Twowomenweremovingdowntheramp,sistersheguessed,cometoseetheharvest.WenLarzmovedquicklytowardthem,smiling.Thesmilegrewwiderasothersappeared,acouplewithasmallboy,amatronwhosniffeddisdainfullyasshesawthetown.
"SothisisShajok.Idon'tthinkmuchofit."
"Youhaven'tseenthebestyet,mylady."Larzbustledaboutashecollectedhisparty."Thatisyettocome.Avistaofunequaledsplendorwhichwillstuntheeyeandfillthenostrilswithalmostunbearabledelight.Youhavearrivedatthebesttime.Thefieldsaresuperb.Isthereanyoneelsetotakethetour?No?Thenifyouwillallfollowme,Iwillguideyoutoyouraccommodation."
Totheroomsinthehotelofwhichhewasthepartowner.Later,theywouldtakeraftsandheadtowardstheplainstocampandinspectthecrop.Mileuponmileofulumen,theplantsallinfullbloom,podsswollenwithvolatileoils.Theywouldseeablazeofcolorstretchingasfarastheeyecouldreach.Theywouldlive,breathe,almostbatheintheperfumewhichhungoverthearealikeacloud.
Kinabaluignoredthem,nowlookingattherampleadingdownfromthe
Kinabaluignoredthem,nowlookingattherampleadingdownfromtheopenport.Zoryawastalkingtothehandler,hagglingoversomethingheheldinhishands,probablynarcoticsorafewsemi-preciousstones.Frendwalkedpast,scowling,barelynoddingagreeting.Noone,obviously,hadriddenLow.Hisminewouldlackthecheaplaborhe'dhopedtoobtain.
Thereseemednoreasontowait,andyettheHausilingered.Hoping.
*
Dumarestwaslateinleavingtheship.Shajokwasabadworld.Hecouldtell,almostsmellitashedescendedtheramp.Aplanetwhichhadlittleinthewayofindustry,abackwardworldonwhichitwouldbehardtofindwork,toearnenoughtobuildastake.Itwastooeasytobecomestrandedinsuchaplace,waiting,workingforfoodifworkcouldbefoundatall.
Aroadledfromthefieldtowardsthetown,aclusterofbeggarsatitsside.Crippledmenandafewcrones,theireyesdull,waiting,hopingforcharitywhichwouldnevercome.Winterwouldkillthemofflikeflies,butmorewouldtaketheirplaceinthespring.
Thetownitselfhadthegrimappearanceofhavingoncebeenafortress.Thehouseswerefashionedofsolidstone,theroofssharplypitched,thewindowsnarrowandbarred.Onlythepennonsgaveatouchofgaiety,longstreamersofbrilliantcolor,allpointingtowardsthedistantloomofthemountains.Dumareststudiedthem,lookingforemblemsorsymbols,seeingnothingbutajumbleofhues.
Thesquarewasfringedwithopen-frontedshopssellingavarietyoflocalproduce;driedmeatsonskewers,wovencarpets,basketwork.Thereweremassesoffruitdriedandpounded,thencompressedintoblocks,thingsofstoneandwoodandmetaltobeusedinanyhousehold.Asmithwasbusyataforge,thesoundofhishammerstridentoverthehumandbustleofthecrowd.Inacornerofthesquareawomanfashionedpottery.
Shewasold,stooped,hairawispytangleoversmall,brighteyes.Herarms
Shewasold,stooped,hairawispytangleoversmall,brighteyes.Herarmswerebaretotheelbows,handsgrimedwithagrayishclay.Dumarestpaused,pickingupabowl,lookingatthematerialofwhichithadbeenmade.Agray,stone-likesubstancewhichhehadseenbefore.
Ashesetthebowldownthewomansaid,"Anythingspecialyou'reafter,mister?"
"Afewwords."
"Forfree?"
"Forpay."Hedroppedafewcoinsintothebowl."Doyoufirethisstuff?"
"No."Shecametowardshim,wipingherhands."It'sgroundlevallitemixedwithapolymerresin.Leaveitstandanditsetsashardasarock.Why?"
Dumarestsaid,"Didyouhaveaboyworkingforyouonce?"
"I'vehadalotofpeopleworkingforme.Theycomeandtheygo.WhyshouldIremember?"
Morecoinsmademetallicsoundsastheyjoinedtherestinthebowl.
"HisnamewasLeonHarvey.Young,slightlybuilt,probablycamefromavillagesomewhere.Hisfacewasalittlepeaked,ifyouknowwhatImean.Hewantedtomoveonandseethegalaxy."
"Iremember."Wispyhairstraggledasshenodded."HecametomestarvingandIgavehimabowlofstew.Madehimworkforit,though.HehungonandIfedhim,gavehimalittlemoneyfromtimetotime.Thenheuppedandvanished."
"Justlikethat?"
"Theycomeandtheygo,"shesaid."Iguesshefoundhiswayaround,thenmadehismove.Ithappens."
"Didanyonecomelookingforhim?"
"No—areyou?"
"No—areyou?"
"He'sdead,"saidDumarestflatly."Iwashopingtotakewordtohisfolks.HeleftalittlesomethingIthoughttheymightliketohave.WherecanIfindthem?"
Hershrugwasexpressive."Whyaskme?"
"Heworkedforyou.Hemusthavetalked,mentionedhishome,hisfamily.No?"Dumarestdeliberatelyscoopedthecoinsfromthebowl."Toobad—Iguesswebothwastedourtime."
"Nowwaitaminute!"Herhandgrippedhisarmwithsurprisingstrength."Wemadeadeal."
"Sure,Ipayandyoutalk,butsofaryou'vedonenorealtalking."
"There'snothingtotalkabout."
"No?"Dumarest'svoicelowered,becamesavage."Ayoungster,tired,hungry,workingforbarelynothing.Astranger,andyousayhedidn'ttalk?Hell,woman,he'dhavetosaysomething.Youweretheonlyoneheknew."
"Hewasontherun,"sheadmitted."Iguessedthat,andwassureofitwhenheduckedunderthecounteroneday.Agroupwaspassing,somemenfromthemountains,Ithink.Hetookonelook,thenducked."
"Nerth,"saidDumarest."Hetoldmehecamefromthere.Whereisit?"
"Idon'tknow."
"Acommune."Dumarestjingledthecoins."Avillage,maybe."Hesawtheblanklookinhereyes."TheOriginalPeoplethen?Damnit,woman,don'tyouknowyourownworld?"
Foranswershetookamassofclay,slammeditonthecounter,gougeditwithherthumbs.
"Shajok,"shesnapped."Atleastapartofit.Herearetheplains,herethefield,herethetown.Andhere,"herfingersmoundedthegraysubstanceintoarangeofpeaks,"herearethemountains.Andinthemountains—"Herhandslammeddown,fingersclawing,digging,leavingdeepindentations."—valleys.
slammeddown,fingersclawing,digging,leavingdeepindentations."—valleys.PlaceswhereGodaloneknowswhatistobefound.Maybepeoplecallingthemselvesbyafancyname.Maybecommunesofonekindoranother.Idon'tknow.I'mnohunterandI'vemoresensethantostickmyheadintoanoose.And,mister,ifyou'lltakemyadvice,neitherwillyou.Seethoseflags?Whentheyfall,getundercoverandfast.Getintoshelterandstaythereuntilthewindblowsagain."
"Why?"
"Because,mister,"shesaidgrimly,"ifyoudon't,you'llstopbeinghuman,that'swhy."
*
Theinteriorofthetavernwasdark,aplaceofbroodingshadowsinwhichmensatandtalkedquietlyovertheirwine.Tooquietly,butmuchaboutShajokwaslessthannormal.Theflags,thetownitself,theoddatmosphereofthefield.Aplacebesieged,thoughtDumarest.Or,aplacewhichhadknownsiege.NowonderthatLeon,afteratasteofnormalworlds,hadswornthathewouldneverreturn.
Leon,whomtheoldwomanhadknowninmorewaysthanshehadadmitted.Theboymusthaveturnedthieftogainthepriceofhispassage.Butthemoneycouldn'thavecomefromher.Somewhereelsethen,thatwascertain,butfromwhere?Home,perhaps.Itwouldbelogicalforhimtohavestolenbeforerunningaway,butinthatcasewhyworkforthewomanatall?Andwhowerethemenwhohadfrightenedhim?
Questionswhichwaitedforanswers,butatleastoneproblemcouldbesolvednow.
KinabalugruntedasDumarestdroppedonthebenchathisside."Myarm!"
"WillbereleasedassoonasIknowwhyyouhavebeenfollowingme."
"Younoticed?Good.Isthatwhyyoucameintothisplace?"
"Itserves."Dumaresttightenedhisgrip."Theanswer.Whyareyouinterestedinme?"
"Please!"SweatshoneontheHausi'sface."Thebone—youwillbreakit!AllIwantedwastoofferyouemployment."
"Yourname?"
Kanabalurubbedhiswristashegaveit.Beneaththefabricofhisblouseheknewthatweltswouldbeformingbruiseswhichwouldmakehisfleshtender.
"EarlDumarest,"hesaid."Thehandlergavemeyourname.Itookthelibertyoffollowingyou.Thatwoman—whydoyouwishtofindthisplaceyoucallNerth?"
"Ifshetoldyouthat,shemusthavetoldyoutherest."
"Andwhynot?"Kinabalushrugged,fullyatease."Sheknowsmeandknowsofmydiscretion.Also,Iwasabletobuyafewthingsforlaterdelivery.Money,asyoumustknow,hasmanyuses."
"And?"
"Iofferyouthechancetoearnsomemoney.More,thechancetofindwhatyouareseeking.Afortuitousmeeting,myfriend.Wemustcelebrateitinwine."
Heordered,waitedasagirlpoured,followedthemovementsofherhipswithhiseyes.Asensualist—orsoalessobservantmanwouldhavebelieved.Dumarestknewbetter.KnewalsothataHausididnotlie.Hemightnottellallofthetruth,buthiswordwastobetrusted.
"Youfollowedmefromtheship,"Dumarestsaid."Wereyouwaitingforme?"
"No,notyou,notasanindividual.Ihopedthatsomeonewouldlandwhowouldfillaneed.Ithinkyouaresuchaman.Somewine?"
Dumarestacceptedthegoblet.Hesaid,dryly,"What'ssospecialaboutthis
Dumarestacceptedthegoblet.Hesaid,dryly,"What'ssospecialaboutthisneedofyours?"
"Theneed?Nothing.Ajobwhichanyofahundredmencoulddo.Toactasaguardandprotector,totakecareofacamp,tobeabletosurviveinahostileenvironmentand,aboveall,nottobeafraid.Butthemanwhoofferstheemploymentisanothermatter.Amanalmostimpossibletosatisfy.Onthefaceofitthecommissionwassimple,toequipasmallexpeditionintothemountains.Toprovidearaft,supplies,aguide,andaman.Allisreadyandwaiting,onlythemanneedstobefound.ItcouldbethatIhavefoundhim.Youareopentoaproposition?"
"Icouldbe."
"Thatdepends."
"Onthepay,certainly,thatisunderstood.ButJalchMoorewillbegenerous."
"Moore,"saidDumarest."Fromwhere?"
"Doesitmatter?"Kinabalusippedathiswine."Hismoneyisgoodevenifhistemperisshort.But,ifyouareinterested,heoncementionedUsterlan.Ihaveneverbeentothatworld.Haveyou?"
"No."
"Heis,Ithink,alittlemad.Themountainsarebestleftalone.Yousee,Iamhonestwithyou.Iwilladdtomyhonesty—thereisevenachancethatyoumaybekilled."
"Bywhom?"
"Thewind,myfriend,afallintemperature,avagaryofheat.Themountainsaredangerousforanyraft.Thermalsareunpredictable.Adropinthewindcancreatevortexes,arisethesame.Andthelocalconditionsaremuchofamystery.Fewventuredeeplyintothehills;somehunters,ascatteringofprospectors,someseekersofgems.Theyleave,sometimestheyreturn,sometimestheydonot."
"Andyettheremustbecaravans,"saidDumarestflatly."Traderswhoventurefartosellandbuy."
"True."
"Aretheyproofagainstdangers?"
"Nomanisproofagainstdeathwhenitcomes,"saidKinabalu."Anditcanrideonthewind."
"Thewind,"saidDumarest."Thepennons?"
"Signals,asthewomantoldyou.Whilethewindblowsallinthecityaresafe.Ifitshouldfall,thereisnothingtoworryaboutprovidingthecalmdoesnotstaytoolong.Ifitdoes—butwhyworryaboutsuchthings?Thewindneverfails."
"Butifitdid?"
"Probablynothing."Kinabaludrankmorewine."Asuperstition,myfriend,asoptothecredulous.Arumorcirculatedbytavernowners,forwherecanamanbesureofshelterandwelcomeifnotinatavern?But,seriously,thedangerisexaggerated.Nothingcouldpossiblycomedownfromthemountainsagainsttheupdraftfromthefoothills.Butwedigress.Areyouinterestedintakingtheposition?"
Ajourneyintothemountains,tolookfor—what?Nothingofinterest,perhaps,buttheexpeditionofferedtransportationandachancetolearnofwhatlayinthevalleystheoldwomanhadmentioned.Theyonlyway,perhaps.OnehewouldhavetotakeifeverhehopedtofindLeon'shome.
Dumarestsaid,slowly,"I'minterested,butIneedtoknowmore."
"Thepayforexample.ThecostofaHighpassage,thatIcanpromise.Asfortherest—"Kinabalufinishedhiswine."—thatJalchMoorewillexplain."
ChapterEight
Therewassomethingoddabouttheman.Hemovedwiththerestlesspacingofahungryfeline,hisheadjerking,handstwitching,eyesneveratrest.Hisroomatthehotelwaslitteredwithpapers,maps,scrolls,molderingbooks,itemsofequipment.Adaggerwithanornatehiltandengravedbladelaybesideasmallstatuetteofaweepingwoman.Inacrystaljaranamorphoussomethingturnedslowly,asifimbuedwithsluggishlife.Anillusion,thethingwasdead,preserved,themotiontheresultoftransmittedvibration.
"Dumarest,"hesaid."EarlDumarest.From?"
"Vonstate."
"Andbeforethat?"Thethin,angrytonessharpenedalittle."Theplanetoforigin,man.Wherewereyouborn?"
"Earth."
Dumarestwaitedfortheexpectedreaction,theincredulity,theconvictionofalie.NonecameandhelookedatMoore'shand,thesmallinstrumentitcontained.Atonalliedetector,heguessed.Therecordedvibrationsofhisvoicetestedbyelectronicmagictorevealthetruth.Anunusualtoolforanexplorertocarry.
Hesaid,flatly,"Andyou?Usterlan?"
"Yes."
Alie.DumarestknewtheworlddespitewhathehadtoldtheHausi.ThepeopleofUsterlanweredark,theirhairakinkedebon,aprotectionagainstthefuryofasunradiatinghighinultra-violet.Hiseyesslidtothewomansittingquietlybesidethewindow.Sheworemasculinegarb,herrussethaircroppedshort,herfacedevoidofcosmetics.Astrongface,thebonesprominent,thelipsfirm,thebottompoutingalittle.Hereyeswereuptilted,apalegray,thelidsthicklylashed.Herhandswerebroad,thefingerslong,thenailsneatlyrounded.
thicklylashed.Herhandswerebroad,thefingerslong,thenailsneatlyrounded.
Iduna,JalchMoore'syoungersister.
"Mylord,"BholKinabalubowedalittle,hishandsextended,palmsupward."Thisisthemanforwhomyouhavebeenwaiting.Hewillsuityourrequirements—ifnot,Imustcancelthecommissionandanswertomyguild."
Anultimatum,despitetheappealofthehands,thedeferentialbow.Mooregrunted,droppingtheinstrumenthecarried,hishandmovingtowardsthedagger,tosnatchitup,tohurlitwithasuddengesture.Abadthrow.LefttoitselfitwouldhitthewallclosetowhereDumareststood,dentingtheplasterwithitshilt.
Hecaughtit,spunittogripthepoint,threwitallinonefastmotion.Metaltoreasthebladerippedintothelie-detector,innercomponentsruined,itsdischargedenergyflaringinmomentarysparkles.
"Fast."Thewoman'svoicewasdeep,musical."Atest,Jalch?Ifso,themanhaspassed.Atleasthisreactionsleavenothingtobedesired."
"Theinstrument—"
"Isruined,buthecouldhaveburiedthesteelinyourthroathadhewished."Sherose,tall,alittleimperious,thecurvesofherbodybetrayingherfemininity."Haveyoubeentoldwhatitiswewantyoutodo?"
"No."
"No?"Shefrowned,glancingattheHausi.AgainKinabaluspreadhishands.
"Ihaveexplainedthebasicduties,mylady,butthedetailsmustcomefromyou.Toguard,toprotect,thesethingsarevague.Onlyaroguewouldpromisetodeliverwhathecannotsupply."Pausingheadded,"Theguide?"
"Hasbeenaccepted."
"Andthisman?"
"Weshallsee.Youmaygo."AsthedoorclosedbehindtheHausishesaidto
Dumarest,"Haveyoubeenengagedinsuchemploymentbefore?"
"Yes."
"Andyetyouarenotsatisfiedwithwhathasbeentoldyou?"
"No."Dumarestmethereyes."IfIamtobeefficientIneedtoknowwhatdangerstoanticipate.Thisenterpriseyoupropose,whatisit'spurpose?Tohunt?Tomaparegion?Totrade?Tosearchforminerals?"Thepalegrayorbsdidnotflicker."What?"
"Doesitmakeadifference?"
"Itcould."Dumarestlookedatthescatteredmaps,thescrolls,themolderingbooks."Howmanywillbeonthisexpedition?"
"Wetwo,theguideandyourselfifyouagreetojoinus."
"Asmallparty."
"Butlargeenough,"snappedJalchharshly."Sister,letmeexplain."Hishandtouchedascroll,movedtoabook,lingeredonthestatuette."Wearechasingalegend,"hesaidabruptly."Shajokisanoldworldandmusthavebeensettledmanytimes.Inthemountainsarevalleyswhichcouldholdtheremnantsofpreviouscultures.Oneofthemcouldbethelifethatwasnativetothisplanetinagespast.FromwhatIhavebeenabletodiscovertheywereunique.Youhaveseenthepennons?"
Dumarestnodded.
"Youknowtheirpurpose?"
"Awarning."
"Theproductofimagination—orsomostinsist.Andyet,shouldtheysignaltheceasingofthewindtherewouldbepanic."Jalchmovedrestlesslyabouttheroom."Whyshouldthatbeifthereisnodanger?Superstition?Ithinknot.Theproduct,perhaps,ofmythsenlargedbyactivefears.Yet,eachmythholdswithinitselfthecoreoftruth.Oncetherewasarealdanger.Oncemenwerestrangershereandhadtofightinordertosurvive.Theoriginalpeoplecouldstillexist.If
hereandhadtofightinordertosurvive.Theoriginalpeoplecouldstillexist.IftheydoIhopetofindthem."
"TheOriginalPeople?"
"Thenativesofthisworld."PagesrustledasJalchopenedabook."Lookatthis,areportmadebyCaptainBramhcenturiesago.Hemadeanemergencylandingclosetothemountainsandlosttwo-thirdsofhiscrewtosomethinghefailedtodescribe.Alocalphenomenonhecalledit,whichcausedthemtodesert.Andhere,anitemculledfromthesecretarchivesofLangousta.AshipwhichwasforcedtolandonShajok.Adistresssignalwaspickedupandarescueoperationmounted.Theydiscoveredthewreck,butfoundnotraceofthecrewandpassengersithadcarried.Amystery.Eventhelogwasincomplete,foodonthetables,everythingasitshouldbe,butofthepeople—nothing."
Abookfell,ascrollrolledtothefloor,apapertracedwithlinesoffadedcolorwasunrolled.
"Andhere,moreproofifmorewereneeded.ApriestoftheHyarchsectwassummonedtothebedsideofadyingman.UnderthesealofsecrecyhewastoldofShajokandthethingthemanhadfoundthere.Aformoflifewhich—tellme,haveyoueverheardoftheKheld?"
Dumarestshookhishead.
"Asupposedcreatureoflegend,theancientwritingsmentionthemoften.Thingsofstrangepowersandpeculiarabilities.Theyhavemanynamesandhavebeenrecordedmanytimes.Intangiblelife-formswhichcangrantpowersbeyondimaginationtotheirowners.Aname,andnameschange,butthebasicsremain.Here,onShajok,wecouldfindtheKheld."
Jalchmovedtowardsthewindow,stoodlookingoutatthebrightpennonsstrainingattheirpoles,hisfacetraversedwithbarsofshadow.
"TheKheld,"hewhispered."TheKheld!"
Idunasaidquietly,"Earl,doyouunderstand?"
Amadmanoramanobsessed,certainlynotamanwhollysane.JalchMoorehadtakenthestuffofrumorandbuiltitintoanimaginedfact.Fragmentsof
hadtakenthestuffofrumorandbuiltitintoanimaginedfact.Fragmentsoflegendwhisperedintavernsandenhancedwiththetelling.Likethemythsofvastaccumulationsofwealthtobefoundinhiddenplaces,thedepositedtreasuresofdyingraces,ofimaginarypirates,ofvotiveofferings.
Dumaresthadheardthembythescore—butthiswassomethingnew.Themysteriousbeingswhichwouldgranttoamantheyacknowledgedastheirmastertheabsolutefulfillmentofhisdreamsandambitions.AndJalchhopedtofindthemonShajok.
Aparanoid—thatmuchwasobviousfromhisuseofthelie-detector.Amysticinhisfashion,aprimitiveinhisapplicationofthecruderitualofthethrowndagger.Yet,hehadmoneyandequipment,andtheurgetoexplorethehiddenplacesofthemountains.Thevalleys,inoneofwhichcouldbethosewhomDumarestsought.TheplacefromwhichLeonhadcome.
Nerth.Acommune,perhaps,oftheOriginalPeople.Achancehecouldn'taffordtomiss.
*
Theylefttwohoursbeforedusk,liftinghighandridingthewind,thenoteoftheengineasoftpurrasitfedpowertotheanti-gravityunitsincorporatedinthebodyoftheraft.Itwasasmall,generalpurposevehicle,thecontrolsprotectedbyatransparentcanopy,thebodyopentothesky.Athingusedtotransportvatsofulumenoil,thestructureredolentoftheexoticperfume.
JalchMoorehandledthecontrols,theguideathisside,pointingattimestothemountainsloomingahead.Dumarestsatintheopenbody,crampedbythebalesofsuppliesandequipment,thewomanathisside.
Withoutlookingatherheasked,"Whatareyou,hisnurse?"
"Hissister."
"Ididn'taskyourrelationship.Howlonghashebeeninsane?"
"Ishe?"Shemovedtositbeforehim.Thesettingsunthrewlongstreamersoflightacrossthesky,theirreflectionscatchinghereyesandaccentuatingtheircolor."Hehasadream,aconviction,andwhoareyoutosaythatheiswrong?Amanwhoclaimstocomefromamythicalworld.Earth!"Shemadethewordanexpressionofcontempt.
"Ididnotlieandyouknowit."
"Becauseoftheinstrumentusedbymybrother?"Hershrugemphasizedtheshapebeneaththemasculinetunic."Itwouldhaveregisteredthesame,nomatterwhatyouhadsaid.Wehadwaitedtoolong,Jalchwasgettingtoostrained.Awordmisplaced,adoubt,andyouwouldhavebeenrejected.Anotherfailure—andIdidnotwanttoseehimdisappointedagain."
"Soyoufixedthedetector.Wasthatwise?"
"YouthinkIfearyou,oranyman?"Idunasmiled,whiteteethflashingbetweenthepartedlips."OrthatIneedamachineinordertodeterminecharacter?"
"No,"headmitted."Butyourbrother—"
"Couldbewrong,Iadmitit.But,thenagain,hecouldberight.Thepennonsarethereforareason.Therecouldbeanunusuallife-formstillexistinginthemountains.ItcouldbewhatJalchsuspects.Theoldrecordscouldhavetoldthebasictruth.Legends,"shemused."Howquicklytheyarebuilt.Aherowhohaskilledahandfulofmeniscreditedwithahundred,athousand,ahundredthousand.Awomannotoriousforherpassionhasherprowessenhancedtoridiculousproportions.Oldcitiesclaimedtobeveritableparadiseshavebecome,oninspection,theyearningsoflonelymen.Andyettheherowasreal,thewomanalso,thecitiesexist.Arewetodiscountthembecauseofexaggeration?"
"No,butequally,weneednotconsiderthemastrue.Thereareotherexplanations."
"Suchas?"
"Letusdiscusswhatweknow.Thetowncouldhaveoncefacedactualenemies,theconstructionofthehousesprovedthat.Strong,squat,narrowwindowswhichcanbesealedwithshutters.Thepennons?"Dumarestgestured
windowswhichcanbesealedwithshutters.Thepennons?"Dumarestgesturedtowardsthemountains."Asimplewarningsystem.Volcanicactivitycouldhaveproducedfumaroles,spillingalethalvapor.Asteadywindwouldhavepreventeditfromreachingthecityandplains.Iftherehadbeeneruptionstherecouldhavebeenhotashes,areasonforsealingthewindows.Onceindoors,thepopulationwouldhavebeenprotected."
"Andiftherewerenovolcanoes?"Hereyesweresteadyonhisown."Whatthen?"
"Anativeformoflife,perhaps.Predatorybirdsattackinginswarms.Againthewindwouldhavekeptthematbay,thehousesgivenprotection."
"Neat,"shecommented."Youhaveanagilemind,Earl.Withoutanysupportingevidence,whatsoever,youhaveprovidedtwoexplanationsforwhatyouhaveseen."
"Andyourbrotherathird."
"No,hisisthesameasyoursecondone.Youdifferonlyastothenatureoftheassumedthreat.BirdsorKheld,basicallytheyarethesame.Andyouforgetthereports,thebeliefsheldbytheinhabitantsofthetown.Afearofsomethinghandeddownbygenerations.Theyhaveforgotten,butitcouldstillexist."
Hesaid,bluntly,"DoyoubelieveintheKheld?"
Hersilencewasanswerenough.Dumarestlookedatthesky,themountainsahead.Alreadythefoothillswerethickwithshadow,onlythepeaksretainingasparklingbrightness.Thewind,steadyuntilnow,hadfallenalittle.SoontheywouldbeflyingintothedangersKinabaluhadmentioned,theupwardgusts,thevagaries,theatmosphericturmoil.
Dumarestrose,movedcarefullytowardsthetwomenatthecontrols.Theraft,small,slow,heavilyloaded,wasunstable.
"We'dbetterlandandmakecamp,"hesaid."Beforeitgetstoodark."
"Notyet!"Moorewasimpatient."Westillhavefartogo."
"Chaque?"
"Chaque?"
Theguideshrugged."Youareright,Earl.Atnightthewindsaretreacherous.Inanycase,weneedtoplanthenextmoves.There!"Hisarmrose,pointing."Thereisahollowandastream.Agoodplacetospendthenight."
"Afewmoremiles?"
"No,"saidDumarest."Weland."
*
Idunacooked,boilingmeatandvegetablesinapotsuspendedoverafirebuiltofscrubandbrush;greenwoodwhichsmokedandsentawaveringplumehighintotheair.Thereweretents,oneforher,anotherforherbrother,athirdtobesharedbyDumarestandtheguide.Thegroundedraftformedtheremainingsideofanopen-corneredsquare.Themouthsofthetentsfacedthefireinthecenter.
Dumarestcheckedtheraft,examiningwhatitcontained.Foodandsomewater,enigmaticinstrumentsinstrongcontainers,amassofpapersandmaps.Somelargemetalboxeswerefittedwithlidswhichwouldsnapshutifanythingtouchedthebottom,orclosedbyremotecontrol.
ContainerstoholdthemysteriousKheld,heguessed,andwonderedhowJalchMoorehadestimatedtheirsize.
Otherbalesheldtradegoods;axes,knives,spades,picks,brightlycoloredfabricsandanassortmentofcheapadornments.Oneboxheldweapons.
Dumarestpickedariflefromitsnestandexamineditinthedyinglight.Asemi-automatic,themagazineholdingtwelverounds.Hecheckedtheaction,theboltmakingacrispclickingsound,thenloadeditwithcartridgesfromabox.Asimpleweapon,butoneaseffectiveasalaserifusedwithskillandfarmorereliableinthefield.
"Youlikeit?"Idunahadjoinedhim.
"Youlikeit?"Idunahadjoinedhim.
"Itwillserve."Dumarestliftedittohisshoulder,feltthebalanceandheft,notedthewayinwhichitfellintoline.
"You'vehunted."Shehadwatched,pleasedwithwhatshe'dseen."Forsport,orforaliving?"
"Forfood."Heglancedtowardsthetents.JalchMooreandChaquewereintheonetohisright,theirsilhouettesthrownsharplyagainstthefabricbythelightofaportablelantern.Theywere,heguessed,studyingmaps."Andyou?"
"Forspecimens.IwasthefieldsupervisorfortheGlatariZoobefore—well,nevermind."
"Beforeyourbrotherfellill?"Adelicatewaytoputit,buthehadnodesiretobecruel.
"Yes—youcouldcallitthat."
"Whathappened?"
"WeweretogetheronHuek.Itisastrangeworldcontainingoddformsoflife,mostofthemutterlyvicious.Thenativesarelittlebetter,regressedsavageswhohaveforgottenanyculturetheymighthaveowned.Wepaidtribute,butitwasn'tenough.ApartycaughtJalchwhenIwasaway.Whenwefoundhim—"Shebrokeoff,andheheardthesharpinhalations,sensedtherememberedhurt.
"And?"
"Theyhad—hurthim.Hiseyes,hishands,thethingsdonetohisflesh.Horrible!AtfirstIthoughthewasdead,evenhopedthathehaddied,butlifestillremained.Ittookalongtimeforhimtorecover—regrowths,slowtime,amniotictanks,thebestskillswhichmoneycouldbuy.Buthismindwasneverthesame."
"Andnowhewantsrevenge,"saidDumarest."Isthatit?IftheKheldarewhathethinks,theycoulddowhathecannot.Killanddestroythosewhohadhurthim.Isthatwhyhewantstotrapthem?"
"Idon'tknow."
"Ithinkthatyoudo."Hisvoicewasflat,hard."Awaste,Iduna.Youshouldn'tspendyourlifenursingthedelusionsofasickmind."
"It'smylife,Earl."
"Yourlife,yourtime,yourmoney,"heagreed."Whenwillthefoodbeready?"
"Soon.You'lleatwithus?"
"No.I'mgoingtolookaround."
Itwasdarkwhenhereturned,starsscatteredthinlyinthesky,thecrescentofamoonhanginglowonthehorizon.Alargemoon,silverasLeonhadsaid.Butthisworldwasn'tEarthdespitethemoon,thelimitedstars.
Thefirehaddiedtoaredglowandhesquattedbesideit,scoopingsomeofwhatthepotcontainedintoabowl,eatingwithaspoon.
Itwasgoodfood,richinnourishment,tastilyspiced.Chaquejoinedhimashereachedforasecondhelping.
"Whatdoyouthink,Earl?"
"Aboutwhat?"
"This."Chaque'sgestureembracedthetents,theraft,thedarknessbeyond."JalchMoore'scrazy.Hehadmeinhistentforhours,goingovermapswhichalmostfellapartasyoutouchedthem.Itriedtotellhimthatthedeepinteriorisanyone'sguess,buthewantedfactsandfigureswhichcan'tbesupplied.TomorrowhewantstoheadintotheMarasillGap."
"Andthatis?"
"Afissuresplitbetweentwomountains.You'llseeitsoonenough.Abadplaceforanyraft.We'llhavetoflyhighandpickourtime."Leaningforward,hetouchedtherifleDumaresthadsetdownathisside."Therewasnoneedforthis.We'resafeenoughhere."
We'resafeenoughhere."
"Andlater?"
"Wecouldneedtheguns."AgusChaquewasgrim."TherearesomepredatorsI'drathernotrunupagainst,andthevalleyscouldholdotherkindsofdanger.Wedon'tknowmuchaboutthem,there'snoneed.Wejustletwellenoughalone.Afewhuntersgatherskinsandfursandsometraderstrytoearnaliving,butthat'saboutall.OnShajok,theulumenisthemaincropandthereisplentyofroomintheplains."
Dumarestleanedback,watchingthefacelimnedinthedullglowofthefire,thelines,theshrewdeyes.
"You'reaguide,Agus.Youmustknowthearea.HaveyouheardofaplacecalledNerth?"
"No,butthatmeansnothing."Chaquethrewadriedtwigontheembers,blewituntilitflaredintoaglowofflickeringbrilliance."You'rethinkingoftheboy,"hesaid."Iheardaboutit.Ayoungster,right?"
"Yes."
"Tooyoung,maybe,tohavebeenfullyinitiatedintohistribe.Ithappens.Thesevalleysareclosedandhavetheirownways.Theyusespecialnames,evenaspeciallanguageattimes.Thatname,Nerth,itcouldhavebeentheoneusedbeforeinitiation.Oncehe'dpassedthetest,hewouldhavebeentoldmore."Chaquethrewanothertwigonthefire."Haveyouanythingelsetogoon?"
Dumaresthandedhimthephotograph.
"NottheZelumini,"saidChaqueimmediately."Theirwomenarealldark.NortheBranesch,theyneverweargreen."Hehunchedclosertothefire,squinting."Shecouldn'tbelongtotheCandarishbecausenoneoftheirwomeneverdresslike,that."
"Thesymbolonthewall,"saidDumarest."Afish.Doyouknowanycommunewhousesadecorationlikethat?"
"Afish?No."Chaquehandedbackthephotograph."Sorry,Earl,itseemsIcan'thelp."
can'thelp."
Anotherdeadend,butatleastalittlehadbeenlearned.Leonhadbeenyoung—hewouldhavebeenmuchyoungerwhenhehadlefthome.Afewyearsspelledthedifferencebetweenachildandaman.Thename—Chaquecouldberight.Hadthefearofinitiationsenttheboyrunningfromhispeople?Thephotograph,onetakenbyawanderingtrader,perhaps?Acaravanhehadchasedandjoined?
Dumarestrose,turning,therifleinhishandsasthenightwasbrokenbyasobbingcry.Asoundwhichrosetoascream,afrenziedshrieking.
"No!No!DearGod,no!"
JalchMoorewastormentedbynightmares.TheflapofIduna'stentopenedandthewoman,dressedinbriefunderwear,rantocomfortherbrother.Hervoice,oddlygentle,soothedtheyammeringcries.
"Didyouseethat?"Chaquedrewinhisbreath."Whowouldhaveguessedthatundertheclothesshewearsliessuchperfection?Awomanwho—"
"Isbusyasyoushouldbe."Dumaresthandedhimtherifle."We'llstandwatches,turnandturnabout.Wakemeintwohours."
ChapterNine
Dawncamewithaflushofgoldenlight,redsandambersglidingthemountainpeaks.Theairwasstill,thesmokefromthecookingfirerisingstraightasifdrawnwithacrayonagainstthesky.
Atnoontheyreachedthefoothills,glidingoverruggedterrain,nakedrockshowingthroughpatchesofscrub.Thicketsofbushes,afewthornedtrees,theirbranchestwisted,rubyleavesedgedwithsilvergray.
"Watchoutforthose,"warnedChaque."Thespinescarrypoison."
Theyateinmid-air,coldfoodwasheddownwithwater,andtwohourslaterreachedtheMarasillGap.
Itwasvast.Theresult,Dumarestguessed,ofsomeancientconvulsionwhichhadsplittherange,partingthehillsasifwiththeblowofagiganticaxe.Anarrowstreamranalongthebottom,vanishingintoanundergroundcavern,ablurofspraymaskingtheentry.Thewallsweresheer,mattedwithvegetation.Theairwasheavywithabroodingstillness.
"Up,"saidDumaresttoJalchatthecontrols."Keepushigh."
"Toohighandwe'llseenothing.Thereshouldbesigns,ascar—"
"Whichmusthavelongsincebeenovergrown.Up,man!Up!"
TheraftliftedasMooreobeyed.Turbulencecaughtthemastheytoppedthefissure,thevehicleveering,tiltingascurrentsfoughtthecontrols.Amomentandthedangerhadpassed.
"Close!"Chaquewipedsweatfromhisfaceandneck."Ifwehadcrashedthen—"Hebrokeoff,shuddering.Alongfallandnohopeofsurvival."IwarnedhimagainstusingtheGap,buthewouldn'tlisten."
"Whatliesbeyond?"
"Whatliesbeyond?"
"ThevalleyoftheCandarish.We'llcamptheretonight."
Itwassmall,sealed,thecrestoftheslopestoppedbyatangledmassofthorn-bearingtrees,theslopesthemselvesscoredbyterracedfields.Onthelevelbottomhornedcattlecroppedatlushgrass,theanimalsattendedbyboys.Thevillagewasaclusteroflowhousesbuiltofstoneandturf,theroofsgabled,thewindowsopenslitswhichcouldbeclosedwithcurtainsofleather.
Aclusterofinhabitantscameforwardastheraftlanded;menwearingroughgarmentsoffabricandleather,thearmsandshouldersoftheirjacketsornamentedwithtuftsofcoloredfur.Thewomenwearinglonglooserobeswhichtrailedinthedirt,theirheadscovered,theirfacesveiled.Children,pot-bellied,dirty,theirhairoilyandlank,watchedwithenormouseyes.
"Myfriends!"Chaquejumpeddownfromtheraftandstoodwithbothhandsuplifted."Wecomeinpeace,totrade,tobringgifts,tolearnofyourwisdom.Whoischiefamongyou?"
"Hestandsbeforeyou."Awrinkledoldster,hiseyesfilmedwithcataracts,hismouthwetwithspittle,tookonesteptowardstheguide."Areyouknowntous?"
"Mygiftsaremywelcome.Toolsofmetalandclothsofbrightcolors."
"Atrader."Theoldmannodded."Youarewelcome.Comeintomyhouseandweshalltalk."
Heturned,walkedaway,JalchMooreandtheguidefollowinghim.FromwhereshestoodatDumarest'ssideIdunasaid,quietly,"Thedepthstowhichmencansink.Theyliveindirtandignorance.Yet,onlyarelativelyshortjourneyaway,liesthedoortothestars."
"Adoorthatcan'tbereached."Dumarestlookedatthecrestofthevalley.Thesettingsuncaughttheleaves,turnedthemintoabarrierofflame."Whatdoesyourbrotherhopetolearnhere?"
"Aclue,perhapsarumor,somethingtoleadhimtotheKheld."Shejumpeddownfromtheraft."Shallwewalkalittle?Seewhatistobeseen."
downfromtheraft."Shallwewalkalittle?Seewhatistobeseen."
Dumaresthesitated,lookingatthemenwhostood,stillwatchingthem.Theycarriedknives,butlittleelse.Onehadaspear,anotheracrossbow,twomoreholdingstaveswithroundedends.Fromthefeedingcattlecameasoftlowingand,withoutaword,severalwomenturnedandheadedtowardsthem.
"Earl?"
Itseemedtobesafeenough,yetheknewthatnothingcouldbetakenforgranted.Adisplayofweaponsmightbetakenamiss,yettoleavethembehindwastobegfortrouble.
Araftloadedwithgoods,fourpeople,oneawoman—atemptationtheCandarishmightnotbeabletoresist.
"Goifyouwant,Iduna.I'llstayhere."
Shewasbackwithinthehour,herbootssoiled,grimeonherhandsandface.Withoutawordshewashed,usingwaterfromacanteen.Then,pickinguparifle,checkedtheload.
"Trouble?"
"NothingIcouldn'thandle.Ayoungbuckthoughthehadtherighttotouchme."
"And?"
"Itaughthimdifferently."Shesmiledathisexpression."Don'tworryaboutit,Earl.Ionlyhurthispride."
Perhapstheworstthingshecouldhavedone,assheshouldhaveknown.Dumarestpickeduphisrifle.
"Stayhere,"heordered."Don'tleavetheraftuntilIreturn."
Afirehadbeenlitbeforethehouses,agreatpileofbrushwoodwhichhadbeensettodryinthesun.Itthrewaruddy,dancingglowinwhichthefeeble,oil-burningwickswithinthehousesweredimmedtopalesplotchesofluminescence.Dumarestheadedawayfromthefire,movinginawidecircle,
luminescence.Dumarestheadedawayfromthefire,movinginawidecircle,eyesnarrowed,earstensefortheslightestsound.Hecaughtthepadofnakedfeet,theinhalationofbreathanddropped,theriflelifting.
Thesoundsdied,butinstinctwarnedhimthathewasnotalone.Hemoved,carelesslysilhouettedagainsttheglowofthefire,droppingassomethingflashedoutofthedarknesstowardshim.
Aspearwhichslicedtheairabovehim,tolandwithadullthudinthedirtbehind.Anothercame,heldbyapairofhands,thepointstabbingwherehelay.Herolledover,slammedthebarreloftherifleagainstnakedshins,roseasthemanfell,screaming.
"Earl?"
Heignoredthewoman'scall.Withhisbacktothefire,heretainedhisnight-vision.Thosewhofacedhimwouldloseit.Againstthathemadeacleartarget,trustingtohisspeedtodefeatanyattack.
Itcameimmediately.Twomen,young,strong,facesbathedinthefirelight,rosefromthegroundtoleaptowardshim.Oneheldaclub,theotherastaff.Oneattackinghigh,theotherlow.
Dumarestfired,aimingtokill,dodgingasthestaffaimedtowardshisskull.Hefiredagain,runningasthemanfell.
"Iduna!Lifttheraft!Liftit!"
"What'shappening?"Chaqueappearedatthedoorofahouse,JalchMoorepeeringoverhisshoulder."What'sgoingon?"
"Gettotheraft!Move!"
Dumarestfiredagainasfiguresappearedoneachsideofthemen.Onefell,bloodgushingfromhismouth,hislungsrippedbythemissile.Theother,luckier,spunandfellnursingabrokenshoulder.
"Anattack?"Chaquewasquicktograspwhatwashappening."Theraft,quickly!"
Dumarestcoveredthemastheyran,menpouringfromthehousestogoafterthem,spear-pointsglintinginthefirelight.Onehittheguideontheforearm,cuttingintofleshbeforethespeardroppedfree.Thenhereachedthehoveringraft,hadflunghimselfovertheedge,Moorefollowingclosebehind.
"Earl?"
"Coming!"Dumarestranforward,emptyingthemagazine,throwingtherifleintotheraft,leapingtograbtheedgeasitrose.Withinseconds,hewasaboard.
"Whathappened?"Moorelookedstunned."Weweretalkingquietlywhenweheardascream,thenshots.You,Earl?"
"Yes."
"Haveyougonemad?Doyourealizewhatyoudid?Iwasabouttolearnsomething,afactofgreatimportance,andyouruinedeverything.Iduna!Returnatonce.Wecansmooththingsout."
Shesaidnothing,increasingtheirheight,thefirenowadistantpointbelow.
NursinghisarmChaquesaid,"Becareful,girl.Setusdownassoonasyoucan.Itwouldbestupidtorunfromspearsandsmashintoamountain."
*
Theylandedinashallowdellinaplacehighandfarfromthevalley,Idunasettingdowntheraftgently,guidedbytheblazingglowofaflare.BythelightofalanternDumarestexaminedtheguide'sarm,findingonlyashallowgash,bindingitwithmaterialstakenfromamedicalcabinet.JalchMoorewashardertoplease.
"Youruinedeverything,"heaccused."Whydidyouhavetofireatshadows?ItrustedHausiandItrustedmyownconvictions.Inbothcases,apparently,Iwaswrong.Oristheresomereasonwhyyoudon'twantmetofindtheKheld?"
Paranoia,tremblingonthebrinkofcompleteinsanity.Dumarestsaid,patiently."Itwasatrap.Theyintendedtosurpriseus.Whileyoutwowerekeptinconversation,weweretohavebeenkilled.Ianticipatedthem,that'sall."
"Idon'tbelieveit!Chaque?"
"It'spossible,"admittedtheguide."Asmallpartycarryingafortuneingoods,yes,it'spossible.Wewouldn'thavebeenthefirstexpeditiontobelostinthemountains."
"Buttheinformationhewasgoingtogiveme—"
"Words."saidDumarest."Emptytalktokeepyouoccupied.Youunderestimatetheoldman.Heonlytoldyouthingsyouwantedtohear."
"No!"
"Youwerewithhimforoveranhour.Whatdidyoulearn?Nothing.Anentirehour—thatalonemademesuspicious.WithpeopleliketheCandarishyoutradefirstandtalkafterwards."AthingChaqueshouldhaveknown,butDumarestdidn'tmentionthat.Therewasnoroomforrecrimationinsuchasmallparty."We'lleat,"hedecided."Eatandrest.Inthemorning,we'llfigureoutwhattodo."
"Thereisnoquestionaboutthat,"saidMoorecoldly."Wegoon."
"Towhere?"
"Here!"Mooreunfoldedamapandtappeditwithhisfinger."Towardstheeastandupwardstothisplateau.ThereismentionofitintheEldrainSaga.Therecouldbesigns,symbols,evidenceoftheKheld.TheCandarishcouldhavehelpedus—butit'stoolateforthatnow."
Andperhapstoolateformanythings.Thwarted,JalchMoorecouldturnvicious.Dumaresthadnotedthebulgeunderhisblouse,theweightofalaser.Defiedhewoulduseit,killingwithoutconsideration,damagingtheraftbeyondrepair,strandingthemall.AndEarlstillhadtofindtheobjectofhisownsearch.
"IftheKheldexistwe'llfindthem,"hepromised."Now,Iduna,howaboutthatfood?Chaque,you'dbetterchecktheraftwhileIlookaround."
thatfood?Chaque,you'dbetterchecktheraftwhileIlookaround."
Thedellwassetonthesummitofapinnacleofstone,adeadventwhichhadbecomeblockedandfilledwithwind-blownsoil.Thevegetationwasspringy,toughfibersmattedintoacompactwhole.Aplacesafefromanybutairborneattack—oneduringwhichtheywouldstarveifanythinghappenedtotheraft.
Later,ashesatwatchingthewheelofthestars,Idunacametositbesidehim.
"Earl,itwasmyfault,wasn'tit."
"Theattack?No."
"I'vebeenthinking.IfIhadn'trejectedthatyoungbuck—butIcouldn'tbearthathetouchme."
"Hewasanticipating,"saidDumarest."Ifyouhadn'tfoughthewouldhavetakenyou,hiddenyousafelyawaysomewhere."
"Forlateruse,"shesaidbitterly."Forhimandhisfriends,andanyothermanwhochosetouseme.Animals!"
"Youwerestrange.Afemalewhodressedlikeaman.He'dprobablyneverseenawoman'snakedfacebefore."
"Savages!Beasts!"
"Primitives,"hecorrected."Witharigidcultureandelaboratecustoms.Youwereoutsidetheframeworkofhisexperience.Dresslikeaman—betreatedlikeaman.Hadwebeenkilledandyoukeptalive,thewomenwouldhavestonedyoutodeath.Tothemyouwouldhavebeenunnatural.Dangerous.Athingtobedestroyed."
Shesaid,oddly,"DoyouthinkI'munnatural,Earl?"
"No."
"Somemendo.TheywonderwhatIlooklikewhennakedandhintthatmyinterestliesonlywithotherwomen.Theydon'tunderstand."
Alonelychild,perhaps.Afatherwhohadwantedonlysons,anelderbrother
Alonelychild,perhaps.Afatherwhohadwantedonlysons,anelderbrothertoemulate.And,ifshehadworkedinthefieldasshehadclaimed,thentheclotheswouldhavebeenanelementaryprecautiontohavediminishedherattraction.
"It'slate,"hesaid."Youshouldgetsomerest."
"Sleepwhileyoustandguard?"
"It'swhatI'mpaidtodo."Hewishedthatshewouldleavehim,sensingherfemininecuriosity,thedesiretoprobe.FrombehindtheraftChaquecoughed,aharshraspingsoundinthestillness.WithinthevehicleitselfJalchMooreturned,restlessinhissleep.
"Earl!"
Heturnedasshecametowardshim,herarmslifted,embracinghisneck,herhandspullinghimclosetopressherlipsagainsthisown.Foramomenthefeltthedemandingheatofherbody.Then,asJalchturnedagain,muttering,shedrewslowlyaway.
"Mybrother—heneedsme."
"Yes."
"Goodnight,Earl."
"Goodnight."
Thenightgrewold.DumarestwokeChaquetostandhisturnatwatch,thensettleddowntosleep.Hewokewiththesuddenalertnessofananimal,onehandreachinguptotheshadowloomingabove,theotherliftingtheknife.
"Earl!"Chaqueclawedatthehandwhichgrippedhisthroat,recoilingfromtheknifewhichprickedhisskin."Don't!It'sme!"
"What'swrong?"
"Something.Idon'tknowwhat.Listen."
Itcamefromabove.Athin,eeriechittering,apeculiarstridation,liketheraspofchitinouswings.Dumarestrose,therifleinhishands,eyesnarrowedashesearchedthesky.Hecouldseenothingbuttheglitterofdistantstars,thebandofthegalacticlensapaleswathlowonthehorizon.Therewasnowind,theairlikeglass.
"Iwassitting,dozingIguess,thenIheardit,"whisperedChaque."Itsweptovermeandseemedtorise.ButIcouldseenothing.Nothing!"
Itcameagain,apparentlynearer.Athin,nerve-scratchingsoundwhichfilledthenightwithapeculiarmenace.Andthen,asJalchscreamedinhisnightmare,itwasgone.
"Earl?"Chaquewasshaken,hisfaceghastlyinthestarlight."Wasthatoneofthethingswe'relookingfor?OneoftheKheld?"
"Idon'tknow."
"Ifso,Ihopeweneverfindthem."TheguideglancedtowhereIdunawassoothingherbrother."Weremainsilent,right?Wetellhimnothing."
Asoundinthedarkness,animpression—whatwastheretoreport?Yet,toJalchMooreitwouldbeproofoftheexistenceofwhathesought.Hewouldinsistonremaininginthedell,settinguphistraps,waiting,riskingalltheirlives.AndDumaresthadnointerestinfindingtheKheld.
*
Thedaysbecameroutine.Wakingtoeat,todriftdeeperintothemountains,tocampatnight,toeatagain.Twicemoretheyfoundisolatedcommunities,trading,listeningtovaguerumors.Amassofconflictingandcontradictorystorieswhichsentthemonarandompatternofsearch.Anddaily,Jalchbecamemorederanged.
"Wellfindthem,"hemuttered,crouchingoverhismaps."Here,perhaps?Orhere?Wemustheadforthehigherpeaks."HesnarledlikeananimalasChaque
here?Wemustheadforthehigherpeaks."HesnarledlikeananimalasChaqueprotested."Youclaimtobeaguide—whyareyousoirresolute?"
"BecauseIhavearegardformyskin.Thehigherwego,thegreaterthedanger.Thewinds—"
"Doyousuggestwereturn?"
"No."Dumarestleanedoverthemap.Itwasrough,inaccurate,theproductofspeculationandsurmise,butsomethingsherecognized."Here."Herestedhisringeronavalley,onetotheeast."Wecouldtrythere."
"Avalley,weneedtheheights!"JalchMoorewasimpatient."Thefoolsknownothing.Wemustclimbhighandsearchthepeaks."
Theyliftedtoosoonintheday,thermalscatchingtheraft,sendingitspinningdangerouslyclosetoanoverhang.
"He'llkillus,"saidChaqueasheclutchedattheraft'sedge."Earl,can'tyoutakeover?Stophim?"
"He'sagoodpilot."That,atleast,wastrue.Jalchcouldhandlearaft,andtoarguenowwastoinvitedisaster.Dumarestleanedovertheedge,lookingbelow,seeingasnarledjumbleofcrevasses,ridges,nakedstonewreathedwithmassedthorn.Hefeltthepresenceofthewomanathisside,thewarmlysoftimpactofherarmagainsthisown.
"Whatareyoulookingfor,Earl?Whatdoyouhopetofind?"
"Here?"
"Anywhere.You'reatraveler,alwaysmoving,alwayslooking.Why?"
"Whydoyouhuntspecimensinthefield?"
"Ajob."
"Whichcouldbedoneaswellbyothers."Heturnedtofaceher,catchingthespeculationinhereyes."Toeachtheirown,Iduna.Youhaveyourways,Ihavemine."
"You'rehard,"shesaid."Hardandcold.WhileIwishIdidn't,Idoadmireyou.Envyyoualittle,perhaps.Hasanywomaneverownedyourheart?"
Shefrownedashemadenoanswer,recognizinghissilenceforthebarrieritwas.Sincethenightonthedell,shehadmadenofurtheradvancesandhehadinvitednone.Athingwhichperturbedher,offendedherfemininity.
"Youhaveloved,"shedecided."Andyouhavebeenlovedinturn.Whathappened,Earl?Didshedie?Didyouleaveher?Doessomelonelywomansitonsomeworld,waitingforyoutoreturn?"
"Doessomemanwaitforyou?"
"No,oriftheydotheyarefools.Butnomanhaseverbeenreallyclosetome.Alwaysthereissomething,abarrier,betweenthosewhowantmeandthosewhomIwant."Sheleanedalittlefurtherovertheedgeoftheraft."Whatwasthat?Ananimal?"
Therewasnothing,oriftherehadbeenithadvanished.Adiversion,Dumarestguessed.Somethingtobreakthetrendoftheconversation,toshiftitfromwhatshecouldhaveconsidereddangerousground.HefelttheraftshiftalittleasChaquecametowardsthem.
"Iduna,you'vegottostophim."HisheadjerkedtowhereJalchsatatthecontrols."Hewantstoclimbtothesummitoftherange,thenquestalongtheentirearea.He'smad."
"Heisinchargeofthisexpedition,"shesaidcoldly.
"Evenso,heismad.Thewinds—ithasneverbeendonebefore.Hedoesn'tunderstandandwon'tlisten.Please,youmustmakehimbemorecautious.I—"Chaquebrokeoff,cursingastheraftveered."Thefool!Whywon'thelisten?"
Dumarestmovedbackfromtheedge.
"You'rethefool,"hesaidsharply."You'reunbalancingus.Getuptothefront,quickly!"
Itwastoolate.Astheguidemovedanupdraft,combinedwitheddysthrownfromtheflankofthemountain,cojoinedtocreateaturbulencewhichspunthe
fromtheflankofthemountain,cojoinedtocreateaturbulencewhichspuntheraftandsentitcrashingagainstaridge.Anearmiss,onlythebottomwasaffected,butitwasenough.
"Quickly!"Dumarestgrippedabale,threwitovertheedge,snatchedatanother."Lightentheraftbeforewedroptoolow."
Dropintoanaturalchimney,themouthofanaturalfunnel,thevortexesitwouldcontain.Thecrashhadrippedsomeoftheanti-gravityconductorsfromtheirhousings.Overloaded,mostofitsliftgone,therafttiltedasitdropped,spinninghopelesslyoutofcontrol.
"Move!"Dumarestflunganotherbaleovertheside,followeditwithsomeofthelargemetalboxes,acrateofinstruments.
"No!"Jalchabandonedthecontrols,lungingfromhisseatintothebodyoftheraft,handsclawingatthecargo."Youcan't!Ineedthesethings!Ineedthem!"
Dumareststruckhimonce,ahardblowtothejawwhichsentthemansprawlingandstunned.AsJalchfellDumarestlungedforthecontrols,grippedthem,foughttosteadytheraftwhichwasnowpitchingandtilting.HeheardChaquecryout,sawthesideofthechimneycomingclose.Then,theyhadhitwithagrindingimpact.
"Theload—dumpit!"
Chaqueobeyedastheraftveeredfromtherock,liftingalittle,droppingasithitamassofcoldair,againhittingtheslopeofthemountain.Itturnedalmostonedge,skiddeddownamassofrock,hurtledintospacetoslamagainstaboulderlowerdown.Metalrippedwithathinsqueal,andagushofacridsmokerosefromthecontrols.Baredwirestouching,energyshort-circuited,theengineitselffallingsilentastheyfell.
Felltolandinashallowravine,theimpactcushionedbymattedvegetation,whichlayinandaroundthewreckageoftheraft.
ChapterTen
Chaquegroaned,risingtonursehisarm,hishead.Theskinhadbrokenoveronetemple,bloodsmearinghischeek.Hishairwasfilledwithtornleavesandhisblousewastornatthebackandside.
"Earl?Earl,whereareyou?"
"Here."Dumareststeppedtowardstheguide.Brightflecksshowedonthescratchedplasticofhistunicandhishandsweregrimed."Howareyou?"
"Myhead!"Chaquefeltit,wincingasheprobedhistemple."Nothingbroken,Ithink,butitacheslikehell."
"Canyoumove?"Dumarestwatchedasthemantookafewsteps."Good.Let'sfindtheothers."
Idunalaytooneside,herfacepale,acheekstainedgreenandbrownfromdirtandleaves.ShestirredasDumaresttouchedher,hishandssearchingforbrokenbones.Onelegofherpantshadsplit,thecreamofathighshowingthroughthevent.Ashishandsmovedoverherwaistshesighedandopenedhereyes.
"Earl.Whathappened?"
"Wecrashed."Hisfingersranthroughhercroppedhair,findingabump,butnothingmoreserious."Wewerelucky."
"AndJalch?"
JalchMoorewasdead.Herestedhighonaslope,cradledinthetwistedbranchesofathorn,rubyleavesframinghisface,silverspinesimbeddedinhischeek,hisneck.Hiseyeswereopen,glazed,hishandsraised,thefingerscurvedasif,atthelast,hehadtriedtoclutchsomethingandholditclose.
Adream,perhaps,aforgottenhappiness.Atleasthisnightmareswereended.
Adream,perhaps,aforgottenhappiness.Atleasthisnightmareswereended.
"Jalch!"IdunastrainedagainstChaque'sholdingarm."Imustgotohim."
"Becareful,girl,"snappedtheguide."Touchthosespinesandyou'llregretit."
"Butmybrother—"
"Isdead.Hisneckisbroken."Dumarestlookedbacktowardstheruinoftheraft."Hemusthavebeenthrownoutbeforewecrashed.We'dbetterlookaroundandseewhatwecanfind."
"But,Jalch?You'renotleavinghimlikethat?"
"Whynot?Itoldyou,he'sdead.Whatdoesitmattertohimwherehelies?"DumareststeppedbeforeherasshetoreherselfawayfromChaque'shand."Youwanttoripyourselftoshredstryingtogethimdown?Andthenwhat?Canwebringhimbacktolife?Havesomesense,woman!WehavemoretoworryaboutthanJalch."
Shesaid,unsteadily,"Isupposeyou'reright,Earl.It'sjustthat,well,weweresoclose."
Andnowshewasalone.Dumarestwatchedherastheymoveddowntheslope.Therewerenotears,butherfacewashard,afirmlyheldmask.Insideshecouldbeweeping,butifshewas,nothingshowed.
"Here!"Chaquehadfoundametalbox.
"Leaveit.Weneedfoodandthemedicalcabinet.Somefabrictoo,ifyoucanfindany.Andtherifles."Dumarestlookedbackatthedeadman,atthelaserhecarriedbeneathhisarm,buttheriskwastoogreat."Lookfortherifles.Spreadoutandcarrywhatyoufindbacktotheraft."
Itwasn'tmuch;aboltoffabric,somecompressedfruits,acrateofbrokeninstruments,acanteen.Dumarestlifteditandfoundittobehalf-full.
"Wecouldlookagain,"suggestedChaque."Spendtherestofthedaysearching."
"No."Theareawastoowide,thevegetationtoothick.Thebalesandotherthingshadbeenscatteredwhentherafthadalmostoverturned.
Idunasaid,"Can'twerepairtheraft?"
"Impossible."Dumaresthadexaminedit.Theenginewasruined,theconductorsrippedanduseless."Andwecan'thopeforrescue.Chaque,haveyouanyideaofhowtogetoutofthesemountains?"
"Withoutflying,no,"admittedtheguide."ButIcantellyouwhattoexpect;crevasseswewon'tbeabletocross,wallswewon'tbeabletoclimb.Predatorsandthornsandblindcanyons.Earl,weneedthoserifles!"
"Lookforthemifyoulike,I'mmovingon."
"Movingon?"Thewomanwasincredulous."Butweneedrestand—"
"We'rebruised,"hesaidshortly."Later,we'llbestiff.Thelongerwewaitaroundheretheharderitwillbecome."Dumarestunrolledtheboltoffabricandcutoffalengthwithhisknife."Wrapthisaroundyourleg—itwillprotectyourthigh.Youtoo,Chaque,coverthoserents."
Astheyworked,Dumarestwenttotheraft.Withhisknifeheleveredoffadistortedpanel,reachedinsideandrippedlooseahandfulofwires.Thecontrolchairwascoveredinthickplastic.Hecutitfree,trimmedasmalloblongpieceandpunchedholesineitherend.Usingsomeofthewireforthongs,hemadeaslingshot.
Hetesteditwithastone,sendingthemissiletolandhighonaslope.
"Here."Hehandedthewomanhisknifeandtherestoftheplastic."Makeapouchandsomegloves.Nothingfancy,justtoprotectourhandsfromthorns."
Shelookedblanklyatthearticles."How—"
"Cutthinstripsfromtheplastictouseasthread.Usethepointtomakeholes.Thefabricwillmakeapouchandstraptosupportit.Chaque,helpmegetsomemetalofftheraft."
Theymanagedtogetthreestrips,eachaboutayardlong,aninchwide,a
Theymanagedtogetthreestrips,eachaboutayardlong,aninchwide,aquarterthick.Crudeswordswithoutpointoredge,buthavingmasswhichcouldbeusedasaclub.Thethorntreesweretoospined,thebranchestootwisted,thewoodtoohardtobeofuse.
Dumaresttoreapanelfromthewreck,stabbedholesinit,cutittoshape.Theguardswerecrude,buttheywouldprotectthehandfromanythingrunningalongtheroughblades.
"Cutlasses,"saidChaque."Ormachetes—buttheyhaven'tanedge."
"FindmeagrindstoneandI'llgiveyouone.That,orananvilandhammer."
"Whynotaskforaradiowhileyou'reaboutit.Andaraftallsetandreadytogo?"Chaqueliftedoneoftheweapons,swungit,gruntedastheenddugintothesoil."Thehuntersusehigh-poweredriflesandlasguns,"hecommented."Wehaven'tevengotadecentsword.Earl,we'vegottofaceit.Wehaven'tahopeinhellofgettingbackalive."
"Whynot?"Dumarestlookedattheguide,hiseyescold."Wecanwalk.Wecannavigatebythesunandstars.Aslongaswekeepgoing,we'llgetsomewhere."
"Notinthemountains.Youdon'tknowwhatthey'relikeand—"hisvoicelowered,"thatthingcouldcomeback.Youremember?Theoneinthedell."
"We'llworryaboutthatwhenithappens,"saidDumarest."Ready,Iduna?Let'sgo."
*
Heledtheway,pickingatrailupthesouthernendoftheravine,reachingthetoptolookdownatanexpanseofthornwhichfellgentlytoasharprim.Analmostsolidbarrierofwoodandspinewhichnothinglivingcouldeasilypenetrate.Heturnedtotheleftandfollowedtheedgeofthorntowhereitmetajuttingoutcrop;asharpwedgeofstonewhichrosealmostsheer,untilitslopedupandbacktowardstheflankofthemountain.
upandbacktowardstheflankofthemountain.
"Adeadend."Chaque'svoicebetrayedhisfatigue."Themountainsarefullofthem.We'llhavetogoback,Earl,andtrytheotherdirection."
Milesofdistanceandhoursoftimewastedtonopurpose.Energysquanderedandfatigueenhanced.Dumarestlookedatthewallbeforethem,notingitscracks,smallfissures,clumpsofvegetation.
"We'llclimb,"hesaid."Moveupandaround."
"And,ifbeyond,thereismorethorn?"Chaqueslashedattherubyleaveswithhismetalbar."Aslipandwecouldfallintoit.Oncetrapped,wecouldneverescape."
Achancewhichhadtobetaken.Dumarestloopedawirearoundthehandleofhisswordandslungitfromhisneck.Thepouch,nowfilledwithselectedstones,followed.Thegloveshetuckedunderhistunicand,withouthesitation,begantoclimb.Twentyfeetuphehaltedandlookeddown.
"Usemyhandandfootholds.Iduna,youcomenextChaque,youtaketherear."
"I'mnoclimber,Earl."
"You'llmanage.Justlookupandahead,neverdown."
Dumarestclimbedhigherastheyfollowed,fingersdiggingintocracks,bootsrestingontinyledges,theclumpsofvegetation.Oneyieldedbeneathhisweight.HeheardIdunagaspasdirtshoweredabouther,Chaque'smuffledcurseasastonehithisinjuredtemple.
"Earl?"
"It'snothing.Justkeepmoving."
Upanotherfiftyfeet,andthenhemetanoverhangunderwhichhesidledlikeacrab.Agustofwindsweptoverthethorn,stirringtheleavessotheyflashedwithchangingrubyandsilver,spinesliftingasifeagerforprey.
Thecurveoftheoutcropwassmooth,wornwithwindandweather.Dumarestedgedarounditasfarashecouldgo,thenlookedupanddown.Tenfeetbelowonthefarsideofthecurveerosionhadcausedamassofstonetofall,leavingascoopedhollowabovealedgealmostfourfeetwide.Asafeplacetorestiftheycouldreachit,andtherewasonlyonewaytodothat.
Toswing,tojump,tolandand,somehow,tomaintainbalance.Toslipwastofallandlandamongthethorn.
"Earl?Issomethingwrong?"Thewomansoundedanxious.
"No.Justholdon."
Again,Dumarestexaminedthecurve.Itwasbare,unmarredasidefromanarrowfissurewhichraninanalmosthorizontalline.ReachingbehindhimDumarestliftedthecrudeswordfromhisneck,probingaheadwiththetipofthebluntblade.Itpenetratedaninchthen,asheturnedit,slidwithinthefissureforhalfitslength.Hehammeredithomewiththeheelofhishandandthen,grippingit,swungfromhisholds,dropping,landingwithathudontheledgetoteeterontheverybrink.
Amomentofstrainasmusclesandreflexesfoughtthepullofgravity.Thenhewassafe,droppingonallfours,hislungspumpingair.
"Earl?"Idunawasabove,herfacepale,strainedasshelookedatwherehestood.Hesawherlipstightenashetoldherwhattodo.
"Earl!Ican't!I—"
"You'vegotnochoice!"Hewasdeliberatelycurt."Grabthebar,swingandletgo.I'llcatchyoubeforeyoucanfall.Hurry!Don'tthinkaboutit,justdoit!"
Shehittheedgeoftheledge,swayedandgaspedasheswunghertosafety.Chaquefollowed,unexpectedlyagile.WithoutpauseDumarestledthewaydowntowherepileddirtmadeaneasyslope,leadingpastthethorntoaridgerunningsouth,aruggedexpansedottedwithscrub.
Thefarendterminatedinacrevasseimpossibletocross.Chaquelookedatit,hiseyesbleak.
"Itoldyou,Earl.Thesemountainsaredifficulttoflyoverandimpossibletotraverseonfoot.We'llnevermakeit."
"Yougiveuptooeasily."Dumarestlookedaround,studyingthevegetation,thelieoftheland.Alreadythedaywasending,reflectedlightflaringfromthepeaks,thecrevassefilledwithsombershadow."Weneedtofindwater.Myguessisthatit'soverthere."
"Howcanyoutell?"Idunafollowedhispointinghand.
"Nothorn—itneedsaridconditions.Andseehowthoseleavesreflectthelight?Whatvegetationisthat,Chaque?"
"Frodar—ifitweretheseasontherewouldbefruits."
"Andfruitneedswater."Dumaresttooktheroughswordfromthewoman."Let'sgoandfindit."
Theyreacheditatduskafterfightingtheirwaythroughaclusterofthorn,hackingapassagewiththestripsofmetal.Athinstreamranbetweenhighbankstowidenintoapoolafewfeetacross.Dumarestheldtheothersbackastheylungedtowardsit.
"No.We'lldrinkandwashlowerdown.Idon'twanttoleaveourscent."
Later,whenhehadimmersedhisentirebodyinthestream,lavinghisclothingandboots,hereturnedtothepool.Movingaroundithesetsnaresmadeofloopedwire,hammeringpegsintothegroundtoholdthemfast.
"Predators,"saidIduna."Ofcourse,theyhavetoliveonsomething.Smallgame,Earl,isthatwhatyou'rehopingtocatch?"
"Smallorlarge,weneedtoeat."Dumaresttookherbythearmandledherfromthepooltohigherground.Chaque,ablotchinthedarkness,followed,stumblingwithfatigue.
"Doweneedtogosofar?"
"Toonearandourscentwillwarnoffthegame.How'syourhead?"
"Bad."Chaquegruntedashefelthistemple."Iwishwe'dfoundthemedicalcabinet.Icoulddowithsomethingtoeasethepain."
"Trytosleep,"saidDumarest."Itwillhelp."
"Andyou,Earl?Don'tyoueversleep?"Idunadroppedtothegroundastheyreachedapointwellawayfromthewaterandthesnares."God,I'mtired.ThewayIfeel,Icouldrestforaweek.Doyouthinkwe'lltrapanything?"
Twocreatureswereinthesnareswhentheylookedinthemorning.Smallthingsthesizeofrats,theirskinsadullgray,mattedwithfur,oilytothetouch.Dumarestskinnedandcleanedthem,cuttingthemintoportionswithhisknife.Idunalookeddistastefullyatthepiecesheheldouttoher.
"Aren'twegoingtocookthem?"
"Rawmeatgivesmorenourishmentthanwhenit'scooked.Chewitslowlyandeataswetravel."
"Isthereanypoint?"Hereyesweredull,hervoicelistless."Isn'titonlyputtingofftheinevitable?Whathopecantherebe,Earl?"
"There'shope.Avalleyshouldlietotheeastandsouth.Therecouldbepeople.Ifwereachit,wecansurvive."
"AmongbeastsliketheCandarish?"
"Amongpeople.NowtakethefoodanddoasIsay."Hisvoicehardenedasshemadenoefforttotakethescraps."It'syourchoice,woman.Eatorstarve!"
*
Theyfollowedthestreamuntilitpeteredout,climbedaridgeandcrossedasmallplateau.Thatnighttheyhuddledintheshelterofaclumpofshrub,movingonfoodless,thenextday.Aflightofbirdsappeared,wheeling.Dumarestknockeddownthreewithhissling,losingoneasitfellintothorn,managingto
savetheothers.Theyweremostlybeakandfeather,thefleshgritty,hardtochew,distastefultoswallow.
Thethornthickened,metinabarrierahundredyardsthick,thinningontheothersidetoarisetoppedbypinnaclesofnakedstone.Abarrierwhichrantoeitherside,asfarastheeyecouldsee.
FromwherehestoodonDumarest'sshouldersChaquereported,"It'snogood,Earl.We'llhavetogoback."
"Back?"Idunahadslumped,sittingwithshouldersbowed,herfacedrawnwithfatigue."Youmeanwe'vedoneallthisfornothing?"
Shewasdispirited,onthevergeofdefeat.Toreturnnowwouldbetobreakherwilltosurvive.Dumarestfrownedastheguidedroppedtothegroundbesidehim.Themountainswerelikeamaze,promisingpathsendingintormentingbarriers.Hewatchedasagustofwinddriedriffledthespinedleaves.
Awindwhichblewfrombehindthem,sweepingfromtherisingground.Ifitlasted,theywouldhaveachance.
ChaquewatchedasDumarestknelt,frettingapieceofthegaudyfabricintoamoundofscrappedfibers.
"Ifyou'rethinkingoffire,Earl,itwon'twork.Thethornisslowtoburn."
"Notthewood,theleaves."Dumarestselectedastonefromhispouch,struckthebackofhisknifeagainsttheflint.Sparksflew,somesettlingonthetinder,smolderingtoburstintominuteflame."Getmesomethingtoburn.Hurry!"
Therewasgrass,sun-dried,stillcontainingsapbutreleasingheataswellassmoke.Scrapsofbranchfollowed,somerubyleaveswhichDumaresttorefreewithhisknifeandglovedhands.
"Keepbuildingthefire,"heordered."Makeitashotasyoucan."
AsChaquecrouched,coughingovertheglowingembers,Dumarestexaminedthebarrier.Towalkthroughitwasimpossible,buttherehadtoberoomatthefootofthebolesandthesmallanimalsmusthavemadetrails.Hefoundone,anothermuchlarger,andhedroppedtostareintoit.Theedgeswere
foundone,anothermuchlarger,andhedroppedtostareintoit.Theedgeswerethickwithleaves,theopeninglow.Smokepassedhim,blownbythewind,streamingintothewindingtunnel.
Dumarestpiledfireintothetunnelmouth,watchingasthesilverspinescurledandfell,therubyleavessmolderingandreleasinganacridsmoke.
Withoutthewindthefirewoulddie,theleavesandwoodproofagainsttheflame.But,asthegustsstrengthened,theflamesgrew,streamingbackintothetunnel,sharppoppingscomingfromwithin.IdunalookedupasDumaresttoretherestofthefabricintostrips.
"Earl?"
"Windthesearoundyourheadandneck.Makecertainthatnofleshisexposed.Youtoo,Chaque."
Thewinddied,thefirewithit,thinstreamsofsmokeliftingtodieagainsttheazureofthesky.Thegroundwasbarelywarm,buttherimofspinedleaveshadgoneleavingonlyblackenedash.
MuffledfromheadtofootDumarestthrusthiswayintothetunnel,thecrudeswordextended,bodyflat,elbowsandkneesedginghimforward.Twentyyardsandtheeffectofthefireended.Buthere,deepinthebarrier,theleaveswererelativelyhighabovetheground.Thegloomwasintense,sunlighthiddenbythemassedleaves,theairfilledwithadimrubysuffusion.
Hemovedon,hisbodymakingapassagetheotherscouldfollow,theleavesthickeningashenearedthefarsideofthebarrier.Hefelttheraspofleavesonhisbackandshoulders,spinestearingattheplastic,butunabletopenetratetheprotectivemesh.Somecaughtatthefabricaroundhishead,torethematerialaroundhiseyes.
Herolled,thrashing,movingon,themetalstripprobing.Ittouchedwood,somethingwhichsquealedandran.Thenhehadbrokenthrough,toroll,toturnandslashattheopening,tohelptheothersthrough.
"Wemadeit!"ChaquestoodstillasDumarestunwoundthefabricfromaroundhishead.Thematerialwasthickwithbrokenspines."Earl,wemadeit!"
Atricktheycouldn'trepeat.Thefabricwasripped,useless,loadedwithpoison.Dumarestleftitwhereitlayasheheadedon,uptherise,pastthesparingpinnaclesofstonetowhereashallowcanyonranbetweensheercliffs.Itwasopenatthefarend,givingavistaofskyandfleecycloud.Ableakplace,dottedwithhugeboulders,thegroundroughandpatchedwiththornandscrub.
Theywerehalf-wayalongitwhenthepredatorattacked.Itcamefrombehindaboulder,long,low,limbstippedwithsickle-likeclaws,thetailknobbedwithaspine,theheadplated,thejawsfilledwithcurvingfangs.
Dumarestsawit,adrab-coloredshapewhichsprangfromthetopofaboulder,itsfurthebleakreddishgrayofstone.Aglimpseonly,butitwasenoughtosavehislife,tosendhimlungingforward,tofall,hissidenumbedbytheblowwhichhadrippedawaythepouchofstones.Heroseasthebeastlanded.
"Iduna!Getbehindaboulder!Chaque!Onguard!"
Theguidewasslow,fumblingwithhismetalstrip,hisfacepale,mouthgaping.Ifthebeasthadattackedhimhewouldhavefallenaneasyprey,butthecreaturehadmindonlyforitsoriginaltarget.
Itcrouched,adryhissingcomingfromitsopenmouth,theknobbedtaillashing.Theplatesofbonearmoringitsheadprovidedadefenseagainstthethorn.Theeyesshonebehindtransparentlids,deep-set,overhungwithbonyridges.Theshoulderswerebroad,thebodytapering,thickfurmattedovermorenaturalarmor.Awedgeofsavagedestructionintentonthekill.
"Chaque,helphim!HelpEarl!"
Dumarestignoredthewoman,concentratingonthebeast.Heheldthecrudeswordinhisrighthand,feetpoised,readytoleapinanydirection.Hadhethetimehewouldhaveusedtheslingtotryandblindthegleamingeyes,buttherewasnotime.
Withoutwarningitsprang.Itlungedforwardwithanexplosionofenergy,dirtliftingbeneaththeclawsofitsrearlegs,frontpawsextended,theclawsgleaminglikeivory.Dumarestdartedtohisright,thebladelifting,fallingasthecreaturepassed,themetalbarslammingagainsttheslopingside.Atruesword
creaturepassed,themetalbarslammingagainsttheslopingside.Atrueswordwouldhavecut,dragged,severedtendonandbone,openedveinsandarteriestoreleaseafountainofblood.Thebarhit,bruised,thejarstingingDumarest'shandandarm.
Thebeastlanded,hissing,turnedtospringagain.Athrownstonebouncedfromitsshoulderasitlefttheground,amissiletoosmallandtooweaklythrowntobeofuse.Dumarestdropped,ducking,feelingthetouchofsomethingonhisheadasheswungthebaratarearlegwithallhisforce.
Acrippling-blow,thebesthecoulddo.Ifhehopedtokillthebeast,firstitmustbesloweddown.Herose,bloodstreamingfromhislaceratedscalp,thetipofaclawhavingslicedtheskinasifithadbeenarazor.Hethrewthebarfromhisrighthandtohisleft,liftingtheknifefromhisboot,holdingitsword-fashion,thumbtotheblade,thepointupwards.
Aknife-fighter'shold,givingtheopportunitytoeitherslashorstab.
"Chaque!Movein!Hitwhenyoucan,butwatchoutforthetail!"
Theguidesaidnothing,standing,thebarheldlimplyinhishand.
"Chaque,damnyou!DoasIsay!"
Therewasnotimetowait,toseeifthemanwouldhelp.Dumaresttensed,crouchingalittle,anticipatingthespring.Thedamagedrearlegwouldthrowthebeasttohisleft,lesseningthedistance,theheight.Thetargetwouldbesmallandamistakewouldcosthimhislife.
Heroseasthebeastsprang,hisleftarmextended,thebarheldlikeasword,firmlyrigid.Hisaimwasgood.Theblunttipvanishedbetweenthegapingjaws,plungedintosoft,internaltissues,drivendeeperbythecreature'sweight.Fangsraspedastheybit,scrapingastheyranalongthemetaltojaragainstthehilt.Dumarestreleasedit,dropped,feelingthewindmadebyrakingclawsasstabbedupwardsattheunprotectedstomach.
Bloodshoweredashedraggedthebarfree,hot,smoking,sliminghisface,hisbody,mixingwiththedirtwhichplumedfrombeneathscrabblingclaws.
Thearmoredheadturned,bloodgushingpastthebar,fangsdentingthemetalastheyfoughtthecauseofitspain.Painwhichfilledthebeast'suniverse,which
astheyfoughtthecauseofitspain.Painwhichfilledthebeast'suniverse,whichsentittwistingtooneside,entrailshangingfromthecutinitsflesh.Itwasdying,asgoodasdead.Yet,lifeandtheferaldesiretokillstillremained.
DumarestyelledasChaquesuddenlyranforward.
"Don't!Keepclear,man!Keepclear!"
Theguideignoredhim,liftinghisbar,aimingforthepointbeforetherearlegs.Hehoped,perhaps,tobreaktheback.
Adangerouspointtohit,apositionwhichplacedhimwithinreachofthelashingtail.Itstruckasthebarlanded,theknobbedend,movinglikeawhip,smashingagainstChaque'ssideandhisspine,knockinghimdowntoscreamasaclawedfootrippedathisbody.
ToscreamandwritheasDumarestlungedforward,theknifelifted,fallinglikeaglintofsilverasitplungedintothecreature'sheart.
"Earl!"Idunacamerunningtowardshim."Itriedtohelp,"shepanted."Ithrewstones.Earl—isitdead?"
"Yes."
"AndChaque?"
Chaquewasdying.Helookedupfromafacesmearedwithdirtandblood,hiseyesfilledwithagony.Hisbackhadbeenbroken,theclawshadbaredtheboneofhisribs,revealedthespongymassofhislungs.Alreadytheywerefilling,drowninghiminhisownblood.
"Earl!"Hecoughed,spatamouthfulofcrimson."Tooslow,"hewhispered."Iwastooslow."
"Youkilledit."Alie,butperhapsitwouldgivecomfort."Yousavedmylife,Agus."
"I'mglad,Earl."Incredibly,themansmiled."Now,atleast,you'llhavesomethingtoeat.AndEarl,thewoman—"Hecoughedagain,sprayingblood."Thewoman,Earl,she—"
"Thewoman,Earl,she—"
"He'sraving."Idunastooped,herhandstouchingthetormentedbody."It'sallright,Chaque,"shesaidgently."It'sallright."
"Thepain!"Hisfacetwisted."God,thepain!"
Agonywhichbathedhimlikeaflame.Tornnervesandsinewsrelayingtheirmessage,nowthattheshockhadpassed.Agonywhichcouldlastforminutes,eachsecondaneternityofsuffering.
"Earl!Please!Thepain!ForGod'ssakehelpme!Ican'tstandthepain!"
"Allright,Agus,"saidDumarestgently.
Anddrovehisknifeintotheheart.
ChapterEleven
PhalVestaler,HighRememberancerand,byvirtueofthatoffice,HeadoftheCouncil,stoodbeforetheAlphanianAltarandcommunedwiththepast.Asolemnmomentwhichhestretchedtothefullbeforeturning,handsupraised,tofacethescoreofboysnowundergoinginitiation.
Aportentousmomentintheirlives—afterthefullcompletionoftheceremonytheywouldneverbethesame.Thedaysofboyhoodwouldbeover.Theywouldadopttheraimentofaman,undertakethedutiesofaman,accepttheresponsibilities.Theywouldmarrythewomenchosentobetheirmatesandtakefullpartintheceremonies.Theywouldlistenandtheywouldlearnand,induetime,theywouldteach.Soithadbeenfromthebeginning.
Vestalerlookedatthemfromwherehestoodonthelowdais.Alreadytheyshowedsignsoftheadultstheywouldsoonbecome.Facesyoungbutsolemn,oldfortheirage,theeyestense,thelipsfirm.Iftheyknewfear,theyhiditwell.
Andtheymustknowfear—theterroroftheunknown,rumorsenhancedbywhispers,imaginationmultiplyingdirefancies.Theyknewitashehadknownit,nowsolongago.Then,astheydidnow,hehadstoodtremblingonthebrinkofmysteries,half-temptedtorun,onlytheshameofdisplayinghisfearholdinghimfast.
Othershadnotbeenasstrong.Theyhadworntheyellowuntiltheyhadbeengivenasecondchance.Andeventhen—
Vestalermentallyshookhimself,recognizingthetrendhisthoughtsweretaking.Tobroodwasuseless,toregretthesame.Nonehadaccusedhim,yethefelthisguilt.Heshouldhaveknown.Tohimtheresponsibility—tohimtheblame.
"Master!"
Ajuniorwasathisside,thecarvedbowlfilledwithwaterinhishands.Adiscreetreminderthattimewaspassingandtherewasstillmuchtodo.The
discreetreminderthattimewaspassingandtherewasstillmuchtodo.Theinstruction,thewarning,theblessing.And,afterwards,thejourneytotheplaceofordeal.Hisvoiceheldthetonesofanorgan.
"Youareatthethresholdofbecomingmen.Tobeamanisnotsimplytogrow.Amanisnotalargechild.Heisapersonwhohasprovenhisrighttoexist,tohelp,toserve.Hehasgainedtherighttoperpetuatehislineintheproductionofchildren.Yet,howtoprovethatyouhavereachedthestateofmanhood?Totakeyourrightfulplaceamongus?Toshareasallshareinthefruitsofthesoil,thecommonlabor?"
Apauseasagongthrobbed,softthunderaccentuatinghiswords,engravingthemonmemory.
"Youaretobetakentothehighplaces.There,yonwillbeleftinsolitudeforthedurationofthenight.Thosewhoareweakofwill,haveguiltintheirhearts,areunfittedtojointhecommunityasmen,willnotreturn.Ifanyofyouholddoubtastoyourfitness,nowisthetimetospeak."
Anotherpause,anotherbeatofthegong.Thosewhospokewouldberemoved,givenfurtherinstruction,anotherchance.Mengrewoldatdifferentspeeds—sometimestheyneverachievedtruematurity.
Nowitwastimefortheblessing.Hegaveit,dippinghishandsinthescentedwater,scatteringlimpdroplets.Asymbolicraincoupledwithanactualwashing,anactwhichabsolvedhimandallfromanytaintofguilt.
Shouldanyfailtheywouldbeinnocentofblood.Andsomewouldfail.Always,thereweresomewhofailed.
Thegongthrobbedforthelasttime,softthunderechoingwithinthechamber,dyinginmurmursasitwasmutedbytheartifacts,thewalls.Inanswertothesignalthedoorsopened,armedmenstandingoutside,theescortwaitingtoconducttheinitiates.
Vestalerwatchedthemgo,lookingfromasecludedwindow.Theparentsalsowouldbewatching,remainingequallyunseen,butothershadnoreasontohide.Mengrownoldandothersnewtotheestate.Boysalmosttouchingtheageofselection,andotherswithstillmanyyearstogo.
Boysandmen,butnowomen,nogirls.Theyhadtheirownways,andeachatsuchtimesremainedapart.
AtthesideofthecolumnVargEidhalsetthepace.Hewasabigman,pronetoeasylaughter,onefondofsportandwine.Theceremoniesirkedhim,andhewasbadinthefields—twothingswhichhadpersuadedtheCounciltogranthisrequesttopatrolthefarslopes.
Itwasajobheliked.Therewasopportunitytohuntandtoescaperoutineduty.Timehadgivenhimcommandandmostly,heenjoyedthelife.Onlyattimeslikethisdidhetendtobecomeshortwithhismen.
"Keepinstepthere!"herapped."Armand,lengthenyourstride!Lambert,shortenyours!That'sbetter.Left!Left!Left,right,left!"
Oneoftheboysstumbled.
"Easy,lad."Eidhalwasunexpectedlygentle."Justkeepyourheadupandyoureyesstraightahead.Justrememberthattomorrow,you'llbeaman."
Amanoramemory—atearinawoman'seye,ahardnessinaman'sexpression.Eidhaldidn'tliketothinkaboutit.
Thehousesfellbehindastheymarchedthroughfieldsthickwithwell-tendedcrops.Afigurerosetostaretowardsthem,amandressedingray,hisfaceblank,hishandshanginglimplyathissides.Aghost,athingEidhaldidn'tliketolookatorthinkabout.Heignoredthecallfromthefigurewhichcameshamblingtowardsthecolumn.
"Wait!Iwannacome.Iwanna…"
Thegrayfigurestopped,onehandliftingtofingeritsmouth.Thehandfellas,likeanautomarum,itturnedawaytoresumetheendlesstaskofweeding.
"Sir!"Oneoftheboyshadheardthecall."Whycan'the—"
"Keepmoving,boy!"Eidhalsnappedthecommand."Later,youwillunderstand."
Thefieldspassedandnowtheendofthevalleycouldbeseeningreaterdetail.Slopesnarrowing,rising,therubyofthornthickatthecrests.Apathledupwardstowardthehighplaces,keptclearbycontinuallabor,anotherofthegrayghostsvanishingastheyapproached.
Thepacewasslowernow.Thesun,whilelow,wasstillhighenoughtograntalittleslackandEidhalwasnotamanwhotookpleasureinthediscomfortofothers.
ArmandcametowardsEidhalashecalledahaltonalevelspace.
"YouwantmetogoaheadVarg?Justincase?"
Theliftofhisspearwaseloquent.Therecouldbepredatorslyinginwait—theboyshadtohavethebestchancetheycouldget.
"Goahead.Takehalfthemenwithyouandbecareful.Yellifyouseeanything."Eidhalglancedatthesun."Icangiveyouthebestpartofanhour.Moveahead,butdon'tgopastthecrescent."
Hesighedastheyracedupthepathtothecrest,wishinghewerewiththem,butcommandhelddutiesandtheycouldnotbeignored.
"Sir!Couldyoutelluswhattoexpect?Giveusahint?"
"What'syourname,boy?"
"ClemMarish,sir.I—"
"Youshouldhaveknownbetterthantoask."Eidhalrememberedhimnow.Hehadworntheyellowforaperiod,noblameinthat,butblameenoughnowthathehadbrokentherule.
"Yes,sir.Iknow,sir.I'msorry."Terrified,afraidofwhatwastocome.
"Juststaycalm,"saidEidhal,quietly.Safeadvicewhichhemusthavereceivedalready.Nofatherwouldremainwhollysilent,despitethetradition."Keepyourhead,staywhereweputyouandberesolute."
Theboynodded,unconvinced,andEidhalrememberedsomethingelse.An
Theboynodded,unconvinced,andEidhalrememberedsomethingelse.Anolderbrotherwhohadfailedtoreturn—nowondertheladwasscared.
"Up,"heorderedbriskly.Todelaynowwouldbecruel.Fearwascontagious."Upandonourway!"
Beyondthecrest,afanofclearedthornranupagentleslopewhichroseabruptlyintoamassofslenderpinnaclesofjaggedstone.Theyraninanunevencurveforthedistanceofamile,theremainsofanoldridgewhichhadbeenshatteredanderodedineonspast.Rockswereheapedatthefootofthespires,clumpsofgrassandscrubclingingtothedetritus.Asectionhadbeencleared—thehighplacesoftheordeal.
Eidhalledthewaytowardsthem,walkingstraight,seeingthefiguresofArmandandhismenlookingsmallastheyquestedamongtherocks.
Dumarestwatchedthemcome.Heleanedagainstapinnacle,thewomanslumpedathisfeet.Idunawasclosetoexhaustion,herhairsoiled,herclothinggrimed,hereyesbruisedhollowsinthepallorofherface.
"Earl!"shemuttered."Earl?"
"Men,"hesaid."Menandboys."Headded,comfortingly,"It'sallright,Iduna.We'resafenow."
"Safe?WithanimalsliketheCandarish?"
"Withpeople."
Hemoved,feelingthenaggingacheofbruises,ofmusclesoverstrained.Thelacerationonhisscalpwasafesteringburn.Despitehisreassurance,hewasbeingcautious.Ifthesemenwerefromthevalleyhehadsearchedfor,theycouldhaveashortwaywithstrangers.Apeoplewhowantedtoremainsecretcouldnotaffordtoarousecuriosity.HesteppedbehindthepinnacleasIdunarosetostandbesidehim.
"Boys,"shesaidwonderingly."Whyaretheyhere,Earl?Whataretheydoing?"
Thepartyhadhaltedbeforeoneoftheclearedfingersofstone.Astheywatchedaboyclimbedit,reachingthetoptoclingawkwardlytothejagged
watchedaboyclimbedit,reachingthetoptoclingawkwardlytothejaggedsummit.Oncesettled,theothersmovedawaytoanotherpinnaclewellawayfromthefirst.
"Earl."
"Arite,"hesaid."Aninitiation.Thoseboyswillhavetostayupthereallnight.Theywillhavetostayawake,hangingon,waituntilthedawn.Theycouldbeuptherefordays."
"Butwhy?"Shehadspokenwithoutthinking,tootiredtocorrelatefactsintoananswer."Whatisthepoint?"
"Atribalcustom.Oncetheyhavepassedthetest,theywillbecomemen."Dumarestglancedattheparty,thequestingscouts.Asyettheywereunobserved."We'vearrivedatabadtime."
"Willtheykillus?"
Itwaspossible.Strangers,inasacredplace,observerswhodidnotbelong.Itwouldbebettertohide,towaituntilnight.Butevenso,therecouldbeguardsandcertainlytherewouldbepredatorsofonekindoranother.Beastswaitingfortiredhandstoslip,youngbodiestofall,easyfeedinginthissavagewilderness.
"Madness,"shesaid,toonumbtofollowherquestion,todemandananswer."Totreatchildrenlikethat.Whydotheydoit?"
Toweedouttheunfit,totestcourage,tomakemanhoodaprizedestate.Acrudemethod,perhaps,butonewhichworked.Dumaresthadseenitbefore,testsbyfire,water,theabilitytogowithoutfoodandtoliveofftheland.Ameanstoensurephysicalstamina,toeliminatedestructivegenesfromtheline.
Nosmallcommunitycouldaffordtocarrytheburdenofthehandicapped.Nosensibleculturewouldpermitdestructivevariationsinthegeneplasmtosurvive.
HadLeonrefusedtoparticipate?Running,avictimofhisownterror?Itwaspossible—ifhehadcomefromthevalleywhichlaybeyond.IfthevalleywasNerth.
"Earl!"
HespunatIduna'scry,seeingamultileggedthing,spinedtailupcurved,mandibleschamping.Ascorpion-likethingafootlong,whichscuttledforwardtowardsherfoot.Itsquelchedbeneaththeimpactofhisheel,butthedamagehadbeendone.
"Eidhal!Here!"
Armandcamerunning,spearleveled,menathisback.Dumareststooped,pickeduptwostones,fist-sizedrockswhichheheldineachhand.Hethrewonetoeitherside,waitinguntiltheyfell,theirrattledistractingtheguards.Then,astheyhesitated,hesteppedforward,handsuplifted,palmsforwardintheunmistakablesignofpeace.
Armandthrewhisspear.Itwasaslendershaftfivefeetlong,thetipcruellybarbed.Sharpmetalwhichglintedasitflashed,straightandfasttowardsDumarest'schest.Hishanddropped,caughtitasheturned,continuingthemovementsothathespuninacompletecircle,runningashefacedthemanbeforehim.
"Eidhal!"
Armandsteppedback,caughthisfootonastone,andfellasDumarestlungedtowardshim.Hesawtheface,tense,smearedwithdirtanddriedblood,thevicioustipofthespearflashingtowardshisthroat.Hefeltthesharpprickasitcametoresttouchinghiswindpipe.
"No!"
"Hold!"Eidhalcamerunningtoward."Don'tkillhim!Youmenthere!Holdyourspears!"
HehaltedclosetoDumarest,lookingatthemanontheground,thedropofbloodshowingbeneaththepointofthespear.
"Pressonthatshaftandyoudie!Iswearit."Hiseyeslifted,sawIduna,tookherforaman."Bothofyoudie."
"Youwouldkillawoman?"
"Youwouldkillawoman?"
"Awoman?"Eidhallookedagain,caughttheswellofbreastsbeneaththestainedtunic,thecurveofthehips."Shetoo,ifyoukillArmand.Youholdthreelivesinyourhand."
Neatlyput—andhemeantit.Dumarestlookedattheringofguards,thescaredandwonderingfacesoftheboysyettoclimbthepinnacles.Theywerewell-trained,notonehadmoved,andguardshadremainedattheirstation.
"Icameinpeace.Ishowedemptyhands,yethetriedtokillme.Why?"
ArmandswallowedasDumarestliftedthespearfromhisthroatalittle.
"Isawmovement.Therearepredators—andyouweargray."
Themarkofaghost,hewasnottoblame.EidhalglancedatDumarest,sawhisface,rememberedtheincrediblespeedwithwhichhehadavoidedthethrownspear.Noghostthis,nomatterwhathewore.
Oneoftheguardsclearedhisthroat.
"Varg,theboys?"
Atimelyreminder,alreadyshadowsweregatheringinthehollows.Unlesstheinitiationwascanceled,theywouldhavetomovefast.
"Continue.Splitupthemenandworkatspeed."AgainEidhalstudiedDumarestandthewoman.Strangers—andtherulewasclear.Buttheboyswouldbewatchingand,asyet,theywerenotmen."Whereareyoufrom?"
"Thatway."Dumarestjerkedhisheadashesteppedback,stillholdingthespear.
"Fromthere?Thenorth?"Eidhalwasincredulous.Nothinghumancouldhavecomefromthatdirection.
"Wewereonaraftandhadanaccident.Threesurvived.Onediedwhenwewereattackedbyabeast."
EidhalsuckedhishisbreathasDumarestdescribedit.
EidhalsuckedhishisbreathasDumarestdescribedit.
"Atirran!Andyoukilledit?"
"Rilleditandlivedonitsflesh."Dumarestlookedatthepinnacles,theyoung,watchingfaces."Don'tyougetthemhere?"
"Rarely.ThelastoneIsawwasyearsago,andIcountedmyselffortunatethatitdidnotattack."Eidhallookedatthepairwithrespect."Herewegetcodors—smaller,butjustasviciousintheirway."Toovicious,buthedidnotliketothinkofthat.Andhisdutyremainedtobedone.
Downtowardsthevalley,hedecided.Onthelevelplaceinthepath.Theboyswouldnotbeabletoseetheswiftexecution,andthebodieswouldhavevanishedbydawn.Apity,themanheldstrength,andthewomancouldprovidehealthychildren.Therulewassometimeshard.
"Youhadbestcomewithme,"hesaid."Theboysmustwaitalone.Armand,yourspear."
Dumarestretainedit,lookingfromonetotheother,judgingdistance.Hecouldkillatleasttwo,perhapsmore,butifhefoughtnowtheendwouldbeinevitable.Andtherecouldbenoneedtofight.HelookedatEidhal,thegreenhewore.
"Aquestion,youwillanswerit?"
"Yes."Aman,soontodie,shouldbetreatedwithcourtesy.
"IamlookingforNerth,haveIfoundit?"Hesawtheblankexpressionandfeltamomentaryunease.Yet,iftheseweretheOriginalPeopletheywouldbereluctanttoadmitit.Hesaid,quickly,"IcomebearingamessagefromLeonHarvey.Youknowhim?"Withoutwaitingforananswerheproducedthephotograph."Iwillgiveittoher."
*
TherewasacomfortintheCouncilchamber,asiftimeitselfhadbeenhaltedandtrappedinthethickstoneofthewalls,themassivebeamsoftheroof.Thicklaminationsofwoodconstructedwithlovingcare.Signsoftheancientswereonallsides,facescarvedintimberwhichseemedtomoveandshiftinthedancingflamesoflanterns,tosmile,nodand,sometimes,tofrown.
Afantasy,PhalVestalerknew.Inanimatethingscouldnotpassjudgment,butifthestonescouldspeaksurelytheywouldprotestnow.Thethudofhisgaveldemandedsilence.
"Gentlemen,youwillpleaserememberthatyouconstitutetheCouncil.Wearenotatfestival,butatdeliberation.Aryan,youmayspeak."
Themantookhistime.Askilledoratorheknewthevalueofsuspenseand,thoughtVestalergrimly,hadmuchsupportfromotherslessgifted.
"Aryan?"
"Withrespect,Master,Iwasassemblingmythoughts."Rising,ascustomdemanded,sothatallcouldseeeveryplayofexpressionAryanclearedhisthroat."Thematter,asIseeit,isbasicallysimple.Infact,IamsurprisedthattheCouncilhasbeenconvenedtodealwithitatall.Strangersarenotallowed.Allcomingwithinthevicinityaretobedestroyed.Thesetwoarestrangers.Therefore,theyshouldhavebeendestroyed.VargEidhalfailedinhissworndutyandshouldbepunished."Pausingheadded,"Itistherule."
Aryanknewthevalueofbrevityinmakingatellingpoint.AshesatVestalersaid,"Croft?"
"IagreewithallthatAryanhassaid."Croft,asmallman,waseagertogainheightbybackingwhathethoughtwasthewinningside."Thepurposeoftheruleistoensureourisolation.Onlybysecrecyhavewemanagedtoremainapartandabletofollowourancienttraditions.Oncethatisbrokenwewillbesubjecttodisruptiveinfluences,theextentofwhichwecaneasilyimagine."
"Usdon?"
"ItseemsthatcertainmembersoftheCouncilaremissingthepoint.WearenotheretodetermineEidhal'sguilt,ortodeterminehispunishment.Personally,Ithinkthemanactedwithintelligentappreciationofthesituation.Thefailureto
Ithinkthemanactedwithintelligentappreciationofthesituation.Thefailuretokillisanerrorsimpletorectify.Themainobjectofconcern,surely,isthemanDumarestandthemessageheclaimstobecarrying."
Senseatlast,andVestalerallowedhimselftorelaxalittle.Aryanandhissupporterswereevidenceofadisturbingtrend,aninward-turnedconcernwithminutiaandtradition.Blindedtothefact,thoughisolated,Nerthstillexistedinalargeruniversethanthatofthevalley.
Forgetting,too,theimportofthemessageDumarestmightbear.IfhehadmetLeon,andiftheboyhad—butthatwastohopefortoomuch.
Heglancedatthephotographlyingbeforehimonthetable,thesmilingface.Zafra'sface,youngerthanitwasnow.Hehopedthatshewouldbesparedmorehurt.
"Master?"
ItwasByrute.HeroseatVestaler'snod.
"Whycan'twesummonthemananddemandthathegivesusthemessage?"
"Heinsistsongivingittoonepersononly."
"Wecoulddemand—"
"Andberefused."Vestalerwassharpinhisinterruption."Wearedealingwithnoordinaryman.Themerefactofhissurvivalisproofofthat."
"Hecouldhavelied,"saidByrutestubbornly."Theremayhavebeennoraft,nocrashasheclaimed."
"Ihaveconsideredthepossibility,buthowelsecouldhehavereachedus?Andthereisnodenyingthephysicalconditionofbothofthem.Thewomanwassoneartocollapsethatshehadtobecarriedonalitter.Dumarestwasinneedofmedicalattention,andthestateofhisbodyprovesthathehadsufferedinamannerconsistentwithwhathesayshappened.Toquestionhimnowwouldgainuslittle.Therefore,Iproposethatbothheandthewomanbegrantedalimitedfreedomuntilafinalresolutioncanbemadeastotheirfate."
Thevotewascarriedasheknewitwouldbe.Theentiresessionhad,inasense,beenawasteoftime.Yet,theformalitieshadtobeobserved.Acommuneworked,notondictatoriallines,butoncommonagreement.Noonemancouldeverbeallowedtobecometrulythemaster.Thetitlehehadwonwasbycourtesy,notbyright.
LaterUsdonjoinedhim,enteringtheAlphanianChambertowalktowardsthealtar,tostandlookingatwhatitcontained.
Hesaid,fornoapparentreason,"Threefailed,Master."
"Iknow."
"Oneofthemwasmydaughter'sson."
Theextensionofhisline,ametaphoricalcontinuationofhisbody.Vestalerrememberedtheboy.Sharpandbrightandimpatienttobecomeaman.Hispinnaclehadbeenemptyatdawn.
"Hewasn'tweak,"saidUsdonfiercely."Hewasn'tfullofguilt.Therewasnoreasonforhimtohavefailed."
Vestalerremainedsilent.Atsuchtimestherewasnothingtosay.
"Iwish—"Usdonreachedoutandtouchedtheartifactbeforehim."NowIwishthat—"Heshookhishead,amanhurt,helplesstoeasehispain.Hefoundrefugeinagreaterhurt,amorepoignantloss."DoyouthinkitpossiblethatDumarestcanhelp?"
Theoddswereagainstitandyet,hopestillsurvived.Hope,butVestalercouldonlybehonest.
"Idoubtit,Marl."Hishandfelltotheshoulderofhisfriend."Ican'tseehowhecould."
ChapterTwelve
Dumareststretched,remembering.Therehadbeenfoodanddrink,hotwaterinwhichtobathe,acupofsomethingpungent,abedinwhichtofall.Andtherehadbeenpain,asearingagonyinhisscalp,handswhichhadheldhimfast,avoicewhichhadmurmuredsoftinstructions.
Hishandliftedtotouchhisscalp,thefingersrestingonapatchofsomethingsmooth.
"Don'ttouchit,"saidavoice."Youwillaggravatethewound."
Dumarestsatupright,lookingataroomhebarelyremembered.Small,thewallsofstone,thewindowheavilybarred.AdoorofwoodenplanksheldthegrillofaJudaswindow.Thebedwassolid,themattressfirm,thecoversofthick,patch-workmaterial.Redsandgreensanddiamondsofyellow.Blueandambersquares,andtrianglesofpuce,purpleandbrown.
"Wehadtocleanandcauterize,"saidthevoice."Theinfectionwasdeep."
Shesatonachairsethardagainstthewall,apositionbeyondtherangeofhisvisionuntilheturned.Awomannolongeryoung,onewithblondehairheldbyafilletofmetal.Theeyeswereamber,thefacestronglyboned.
"IamZafraHarvey."
"Leon'smother?"
"OnceIhadason."Hervoicewasdistant,asifshespokeofanotherlifeatanothertime."Youclaimedtohavesomethingtotellme.Amessage."
"Itcanwait."Dumarestrosehigherinthebed.Hewasnaked."Didyoutakecareofme?"
"Yes,Iamskilledinhealing."
"Adoctor?Anurse?HowisIduna?"
"Yourwomaniswell.Shewassufferingonlyfromexhaustion.Nowthatshehaseatenandslept,shewillbefine."
"Sheisn'tmywoman,"saidDumarest.HelookedatZafra'sface,seeingthemeshoftinylinesatthecornersoftheeyes,theagingofthelips,theneck."Howlonghasitbeensincethatphotographwastaken?"
"Alongtime.Inhappierdays."
"Here?"Andthen,asshemadenoanswer."Inthetown?DoyouoftenleaveNerth?"
"Nerth?"
"Thevalley.Doyou?"
"WecallitAyat.No,weneverleave."
Thenametheywouldusetoothers—andthewomanhadlied.
Shesaid,"Please.Themessage?"
"Later."
"ButLeon—"
"Yourson?"Dumarestnoddedashecaughtherfaintinclination."Whathappenedtohim?Whydidherun?"
"Heisdead.Wedonottalkofhim."
Asymbolicaldeathperhapsattendedbyappropriateceremonies,hisnamestrickenfromanyrecordstheremightbe,hisverymemoryerased.Anamethatshouldnotbementioned.AcustomwithwhichDumarestwasfamiliar,onewithwhichhehadnopatience.
Butshewasawoman,amother,andhehadnoreasontohurther.
"Iknewhim,"hesaid."Weworkedtogether,traveledtogether.Hetoldme
"Iknewhim,"hesaid."Weworkedtogether,traveledtogether.Hetoldmeofthisplace.Hesaidthatyoucouldhelpme."Alie,butbarely.ThephotographhadtoldhimthatandLeonhadcarriedit.Headded,gently,"Iamsorrytotellyouthatheisdead."
Shesatasifmadeofstone.
"Whathappened?"heurged."Didhefailhistest?Runbecauseofshame?"
"Theshamewasnothis.Heworetheyellow,butthatwasunderstood.Butthen,whenthetimecameagain,hewasnottobefound."
"Heran,"saidDumarest."Buthow?Withwhom?"
"Nonewentwithhim."
"Araft?Atrader?"
Shemadenoanswerandheknewhewouldgainnofurtherinformationatthistime.Risinghestood,fightingamomentarynausea,thenmovedtoatablewhichstoodagainstawall.Itheldhisthings,theknife,theidolhehadcarriedtuckedbeneathhistunic,otherthings,hisclothes.Theyhadbeencleanedanddippedintosomethingwhichhadleftapurplefilm.Herubbedit,seeingitleaveamarkonhisthumb.
"Grayisthecolorwornbyghosts,"sheexplained."Green,thosewhoareherebyright.Thepurplewillsaveyoufromembarrassment."
"That'sconsiderateofyou."Dumarestpickeduptheknifeandscrapedcasuallyattheidol."AmIunderrestraint?Ifso,itwillgivemeanopportunitytoworkonthis."
"Youarefreetomoveatwillamongthehousesandimmediatefields.Noworkwillbedemandedofyou.Youmayeatwiththesinglemenandwidowers."
"Noguards?"
"Youwillbewatched.Andnow,ifyouplease,givemethemessageyouclaimtohavebrought."
"You'vehadit,apartofitatleast.Leonisdead.Ithoughtyouwouldliketoknow.Hediedbravely,aherotothosewhoknewhim."Anunqualifiedliethistime,butonewhichcoulddonoharmandcouldgivecomfort.Dumarestfolloweditwithanother."Hediedinmyarms.Hementionedyouandaskedmetobringyouhislove.Therestofwhathetoldmeisforotherearsthanyourown."
"Didhemention—"Shebrokeoffasifconsciousthatshewasaskingtoomuch.Thatshecouldbeabrogatingtheauthorityofothers,demandingmorethanwasherdue.
"Youweresaying?"
"Nothing."Rising,shemovedtowardsthedoor.
"Takecareofyourwound.Ifthepainshouldincrease,letmeknowatonce.Ifyoufeelfeveredordizzy,thesame.Itwouldbewiseforyoutoconserveyourstrengthforthenextfewdays."
Goodadvice,andhemightfollowit—ifhewasallowedtolivethatlong.
*
Itwaslateafternoon,andDumarestguessedthatthedrughehadbeengivenhadmadehimsleepforthirtyhoursormore.Alongrestwhichhehadneeded,andnowhewashungry.
Heateinahutwithascoreofothers,menwhowatchedbutsaidnothing.Noteventheyoungsterswho,atleast,musthavebeencurious.Thefoodwasgood,asteamedmassofbeansandmeatflavoredwithherbs.Apuddingofnutsandhoney,darkwithsmall,crushedbodies.Insectsperhaps,orseeds,orevenmaggotsbredtogiveaddedprotein.Dumarestatewithoutworryingaboutthenatureofthefood.
Themealendedwithamugoftisane,hotwaterwhichhadbeensteepedwithacridherbs.Acrude,medicinalcompound,butonewhichapparentlyworked.
acridherbs.Acrude,medicinalcompound,butonewhichapparentlyworked.Themenhecouldseelookedhealthyashadtheboys,theguards.Henoddedatafamiliarface.
"Hello.Areyouoneofmywatchers?"
VargEidhalgrunted,hesitatedforamoment,thenmovedtoplumpdownonthebenchatDumarest'sside.
"Youatewell,"hecommented."Thatisgood.Afightingmanneedstobuildhisstrength."
"Theboys,howmanyfailed?"
"Three."Eidhalwasgrim."Twowhovanishedandonewhowillbeaghost."
"Three—isitalwaysthathigh?"
"Sometimesmore,rarelyless.Neveristhereatimewhenallreturn."
"Andyoudon'tmind?"
"Itistherule."
Therule,thelaw,thecustomwhichgovernedtheirlives.Oneofaskeinofsuchregulations,andDumarestcouldonlyguessatwhattheywere.
Hesaid,"Ifyouaretowatchme,youhadbetterstayclose.Youcanshowmearound."
Aguideinmoresensesthanoneand,perhaps,anallyincaseofneed.Asmallhope,theconditioningofalifetimewouldnotbethrownasideinamoment,butDumarestcouldnotaffordtoneglectanyopportunity.
Thehouseswereinteresting,stronglybuilt,solid,patternedonthosehehadseeninthetown.Allcarriedsomeformofdecoration,abow,abull,thedesignofacrab,others.Fromasmithycamethesoundofhammering,abrawnymannoddingasEidhalhaltedintheopendoorway.
"Thespear-headswillbereadysoon,Varg.NowImustfashionknivesforthenewmen."
thenewmen."
"Couldn'ttheywait?"
Thesmithgrinnedasheswunghishammer."Rememberyourowntime,Varg.Couldyou?"
Aknife,thebadgeofmanhood,edgedandpointedsteelwornproudlyinthebeltforalltosee.Dumaresthadwonderedwhyhehadbeenallowedtoretainhisownweapon.Nowheknew.
Theymovedon,pasthousesclosedandsnug,otherswithopenfrontsinwhichwomensatspinning,turningpottery,grindinggrainintoflourwiththehelpofmenwhosweatedastheyturnedtheheavymillstones.Abusy,activecommunityinwhichallsharedthelaborandthereward.
Dumarestlookedthoughtfullyatalong,low,heavily-shutteredbuildingwhichstoodapartfromtheothers.
"Whatisthat?"
"TheAlphanianChamber."
"Andthatis?"
"Thespecialplacewhereceremoniesareconducted.Wherethepastisremembered."
Whererecordswouldbekept,anditemsrenderedsacredbyrarityandtimewouldbehoused.Alphanian…alpha…awordDumarestknewmeantthebeginning.
"Varg,whatdoyoupeoplecallyourselves?"
"WeareofAyat."
"And?"Dumarestpressedthequestionasthemanremainedsilent."AreyoutheOriginalPeople?"
"I—letmeshowyouthefields."
Notanadmission,butadmissionenough.Andyet,amysteryremained.Thename,Ayat,acoverperhaps.ButwhyhadLeonclaimedhecamefromNerth?
Thefieldswerewellkept,therowsofbeansclearofweeds.Othersheldripeninggrain,rootcrops,bushesyieldingnutsandfruit.Domesticanimalswouldbekeptatthelowerendofthevalley.Dumarestwatchedasboysandyounggirlsshooedawaybirds.Onlywhenolder,andpubertyexerciseditsdemands,wouldtheybekeptapart.
Eidhalpausedasamancameshamblingdownthepath.Hewastall,big,shoulderswidebeneaththedrabgrayofhissmock.Hisfacewasvacuous,theeyesemptyofintelligence,hismouthwetwithspittle.ThelipstwistedintoaninanegrinashehaltedbeforeDumarest.
"Give…yougive…"
"Hewantssomethingsweet,"saidEidhal.Herummagedinapocketandfoundadriedfruit."Givehimthis."
Asplayedhandsnatchedthemorselandthrustitintotheslaveringmouth.
"That'sall,Odo,"saidEidhalasthehandreachedoutagain."Getbacktoyourwork."
"Give…yougive…"
"No!Toworknow!"
"Odowant…"
"Odowillbebeatenifhedoesnotdoasheistold."Eidhalwasfirm,butgentle."Comeon,now,backtowork."
Dumareststoodtoonesideastheguardconductedtheidiotbackintothefields.
"Aghost,"Eidhalexplainedashereturned."Achildwhowillneverbeaman."
"Howdidithappen?"
"Howdidithappen?"
"Ithappens."Eidhalwasgrim."Sometimesaboygrowsinbody,butnotinmind.Heisgiveneverychance,asthatoneisthere."Hepointedtowhereaboyworeayellowsash."Ifaladthinksheisunreadyfortheordeal,heisallowedtowaitandnoshamecomestohim,ortohisparents.Ifstillherefuses,thenhewearsgray."
"Domanyrefuse?"
"Inmylifetime,onlyone.Hewassenttoclearthornandliveinisolation.Hediedbyhisownhand."
"AndOdo?"
"Hewasabrightlad,smart,keenandeagertobecomeaman.Theprideofallwhoknewhim.Iwasondutyatthetime.Whendawncame,hewasasyouseehimnow."Headded,bleakly,"Itwouldhavebeenbetterhadhevanished."
Anidiotcondemnedtoalifeofunendinglabor,castratedtoavoidthecontinuationofhisline,amanwhohadbecomelittlemorethanananimal.Despised,rejected,yetneededasanessentialsourceoflabor.Aghost.
Andyet,Eidhalhadbeenkind.Dumarestwonderediftherewassomerelationshipbetweenthem.Itwasmorethanlikely;inanyclosedcommunityblood-tieshadtobeplentiful.Hisson,perhaps,orthesonofasister,acousin.
Kind—yethewouldhavebeenmoremercifulhadhethrusthisspearintoOdo'sheart.
*
Idunawaswaitingastheyreturned.Sheranforward,eyesanxiousastheylookedatthedressingonDumarest'sscalp.
"Earl!Iwassoworried.Yourhead?"
"Isfine.Andyou?"
Shehadlosttheghastlypallorofexhaustion.Herhairwasasmoothrussethelmetaboutherskull,theeyesclear,herskincarryingthefaintsheenofhealth.
Likehimselfsheworepurple,newgarmentswhichaccentuatedthelinesofherfigure.
Shefellintostepbesidehim,VargEidhaldiscreetlyfallingback.He,likethemall,thoughthertobeDumarest'swoman.
"I'vebeenlistening,"shesaid."ThewomantalkedwhentheythoughtIwasasleep.Earl,theydon'tintendtoletusgo!"
"Didtheysaythatinsomanywords?"
"Theydidn'thaveto.TheytalkedofwhatIcoulddo,andhowIcouldbefittedintotheircommunity.Theyevenspeculatedonaprobablemate."Hervoicecarriedundertonesofdisgust."AsifIhadbeenabroodmare—goodonlytoprovidenewchildren.Mybodyusedtoincreasetheirnumbers."
Andtoprovideanewsourceofgenes.Acrosswouldproducehealthyoffspring.
"Earl,whatarewegoingtodo?"
"Wewait."
"Forhowlong?Don'tyouunderstandwhatI'msaying?Theyspokeofme—notyou.WhetherIhadanyskillsinweaving,potterymaking,cooking,sewingofskinsandcloth.Alldaythey'vebeenatit,questioning,probing,andneveroncedidtheymentionyou.Theydon'tneedyou,Earl.Ithinktheyintendtokillyou."
And,probably,her.Thewomenhadbeengossiping,speculating,butthedecisionwouldnotbetheirs.
Hesaid,"Whentheytalked,didtheymentionaname?"
"Aname?"
"Aname?"
"Thatofthisvalley.Nerth."
"No."Shewaspositive…"Iaskedthemwherewewereandtheywouldn'tanswer.Butlater,IheardonetellanotherthatthesewereexcitingtimesinAyat."Herfingerstightenedonhisarm."Earl,I'mafraid.Wemustescapebeforeitistoolate."
Escapeintoawildernesswithoutfood,amap,orweapons.Ashortstartwithguardsfollowing,readywiththeirspears.
"Wehavetowait,"hesaidpatiently."Takeeachthingasitcomes.Whenourchancecomes,we'lltakeit."
Emptywords,buttheyseemedtogivehercourage.
"Wait,"shesaid,brightening."Yes,Earl,wemustwait.Butbecareful.Don'tletthemhurtyou.Promisethemanything,doanything,butstayalive!"
Anunexpectedreaction,buthecouldguessatherlatenthysteria.AsabellbegantotollfromtheAlphanianChamber,Eidhaledgedforward.
"Thecurfew,"hesaid."Andthesummons.Itistimeforyoutoreturntoyourquarters."
Them,butnotothers.Dumarestwatchedwithinterestasastreamofmenandwomenmadetheirwaytowardstheenigmaticbuilding.Toparticipateinceremonies,perhaps.Todwellonthebeginning,ifthenameoftheplacemeantwhathesuspected.
Later,hestoodatthewindowofhisroomandlookedatthestars.Itwaslateandhecouldhearnosoundofmovementoutside.Thebarswerefirmandresistedhistug.Thedoorwaslocked—apailhadbeenprovidedfornaturalneeds.Onlytheroofremained.
Dumarestexamineditashestoodontheendoftheupturnedbed.Thickrafterswerecrossedbythinnermembers,supportsforthetileswhichclosedthebuildingagainstthesky.Withhisknifeheeasedonefree,setitgentlyonthefloor,climbeduptoremoveotherswhichhesetoutside.Withinminuteshehadaholelargeenoughtopasshisbodythrough,onewhichhecouldsealagain
aholelargeenoughtopasshisbodythrough,onewhichhecouldsealagainfromwithin.
Aweaknessinhisprison,butthoseaccustomedtoregardingonlydoorsandwindowsasameansofegresswouldhaveoverlookedtheobvious.Andanyprisoners,heldinthisplace,wouldprovidetheirownmentalchains.
Hejumpedfromtheroof,landingaslightlyasacat,freezing,crouchingtospotthesilhouetteofanyguardagainstthesky.
Hesawnothing.Eithertherewerenoguards,ortheywereontheothersideofthebuildingfacingthedoor.
Rising,heranquicklytowardstheAlphanianChamber.Itrestedasasomberbulkbeneaththestars,afitfulgleamofyellowlightshowingthroughthecracksofshutters,thejoinofthegreatdoubledoor.
ItwasheldbyasimplelockwhichyieldedtothepointofDumarest'sknifeandhepushedoneoftheleavesopen,slippinginsidetocloseitbehindhim.
Turning,helookedatamuseum.Achurch.Itheldsomethingofboth.
Therewerealcovesinwhichwerepainteddesignsfashionedofgleamingpoints,joinedandsurroundedbyatraceryoflines.Thedepictionofanimals,awoman,scales,ascorpion.Twelveofthem,eachfacedbyathinstreamofincenserisingfrombowlsofhammeredbrass.
Therewerecasesinwhichrestedancientbooks,strangeartifacts,rocksandscrapsoffabric.Therewaswhatcouldonlybeanaltar,ahighplacesettotherearofalowdais.Apaintingofawoman,weeping.Anotheroffierydestruction.Athirdofsomethingbrightandwonderfulemergingfromashatteredegg.
Thewallbehindthealtarwascovered.Thecurvecontinuedasitrosetomergeintoasmoothdome,ahemispherebrokenonlybythemainpartofthechamber.Beneathit,setinpreciserelationshiptotheapexofthedome,restedasquatconstructionwhichgleamedwithpolish.
Dumarestgavetheplaceonequickglance,founditdesertedoflife,andmovedaroundthewallsstudyingthedesigns.Thefiguresmatchedthemnemonichehadlearnedsolongago,theRam,theBull,theHeavenlyTwins…
mnemonichehadlearnedsolongago,theRam,theBull,theHeavenlyTwins…theCrab,theLion…Thesignsofthezodiac.
Thethingforwhichhehadbeensearching.Anduseless.
Theyweretooabstract,thepointswhichcouldonlyhavebeenstars,toonumerousanddevoidoftruerelationship.Hehadhopedforsetconstellationseasilyremembered,signpostsintheskywhichwouldpointthewaytoEarth.Instead,helookedatartisticimpressionswhichcouldhavenoassociationwithreality.Againhewalkedalongthewalls,looking,studying,tryingtoremember.
Hadtherebeenanarcherintheskies?Amanwiththebodyofahorsedrawingabow?Awomanemptyingapotofwater?Apairoftwins.Asetofscales?Acrab?
Notactualrepresentations,butapatternofstars,brightpointswhichiffollowedwithamarkerwouldhaveleftsuchdesigns.Herememberednothing,andsuchrudimentaryportraitscouldnothavebeenforgotten.
Impatiently,Dumarestmovedtothebookswithinthecases.Thedoorswereclosedandheforcedone,leafingthroughavolumewhichsmeltofmold.Thepageswerefaded,stained.Arecord,asfarashecouldsee,ofnames,births,deaths,matings.Anotherhelddetailsastoplantings,yields,typesandvarietiesofvegetation.Athirdheldroughdesignsofprimitive,hand-operatedmachinery,grinders,scrapers,apotter'swheel.
Hereplacedit,closedthedoors,movedtowardsthealtarandtheodddeviceitcontained.Here,perhaps,hewouldfindtheanswer.ThelostbutallimportantcoordinatesbywhichEarthcouldbefound.
Asheneareditheheardthesoundofmuffledvoices,thecreakoftheopeningdoors.Dumarestlookedupwards,searchingforaplacetohide,butthedomewasunbroken.
Torunwastofight.Tofightatthistimewastodie.WhenPhalVestalerenteredtheAlphanianChamberattendedbyascoreofguards,hefoundDumarestkneelingbeforethealtar,hisheadbowed,handsclaspedinanattitudeofsupplication.
ChapterThirteen
"Communing?"Aryan'svoiceheldincredulity."Itisn'tpossible!HeisunawareoftheMysteries."Hesatatthetable,annoyed,irritableathavingbeensummonedsolate."Itwasapretense,arusetosavehislife."
Thetruth,butDumarestdidn'tliketohearitstatedsodogmatically.Hestoodattheendofthetable,uneasilyawareoftheguardsatsidesandrear.Tothem,hehadcommittedanunpardonablecrime.Theywouldnothesitatetomoveinshouldthewordbegiven.Hislife,heknew,hungonathread.
Andyet,hehadanally.FromwherehesatattheheadofthetableVestalersaid,quietly,"ItoldyouwhatIhadfound.Nothinghadbeendisturbed."
Hehadsaidnothingaboutthematteroftheforcedbookcase.
"Andwhatifyouhadn'tsentforhim?Discoveredhisescape?"Aryanflungtheaccusationslikemissiles."Andwhydidyousendforhimatall,Master?"
ThequestionVestalerhadbeenexpecting.AryanwouldnottakekindlytotheintentionofaprivatetalkwithDumarest,butthemandidnotknowwhatZafrahadreported.Thehopeherwordshadaroused.
Amistake,hethought,butonedonenowandimpossibletoignore.Yet,ifhehadn'tsentforDumarest,discoveredhimmissingandgonewiththeanxietyofexperiencedirectlytotheAlphanianChamber—whatthen?
Hisrankandtitle,certainly.Hispositionandallthatwentwithit.Shameandpunishment,reducedtomeniallabor,shunnedanddespisedasifhehadbeenaghost.
Allthat,ifthemanhadlied.Ifhecouldnotconvincetheothersthathehadenteredthechamberforreasonsotherthantorob.
"Killhim!"snappedAryan."Killhimandhavedone."
"Wait!"Usdon'shandslammedagainstthetable."Atleast,letushearwhathehastosay."
"Hewillspilllies,"sneeredCroft."Heknowsnothingand—"
"Youarecertainofthat?"Dumarest'svoicerosetofillthechamberashesteppedforward,haltingashisthighstouchedtheedgeofthetable.Acalculatedmovedesignedtodemandattention."Doyouthinkyouarealoneintheuniverse?Theonlyoneswhoholdtheancientbeliefs?"Hisvoicedeepened,grewsolemn."Fromterrortheyfledtofindnewplacesonwhichtoexpiatetheirsins.OnlywhencleansedwilltheraceofManbeagainunited."ThewordshehadheardfromLeon,wordshehadheardbefore.
Hefellsilent,lookingfromfacetoface.Aryan,Croft,Vestaler,Usdon,Barogwhoasyethadsaidnothing.Anoldmanwhowatchedandvoted,butwhorarelyspoke.
Nowhesaid,slowly,"Doyouclaimtobeoneofournumber?"
"Ofyournumber,no.Ofyourfollowing,yes.Doyouthinkyouaretheonlyoneswithsuchacreed?Thereareothersonahostofworlds.DoyouregarditasimpossiblethatIamoneofthem?"
Croftsaid,sharply,"WearethetrueOriginalPeople.Othersmayclaimthat,buttheylie.Theyusemachines."
"Youhaveaforgeusingbellows,"saidDumarest."Yougrindcornwiththeaidofamillstone,weavewithaloom,fashionpotswithawheel.Thesethingsarealsomachines."
"Buttheydonotusethedemonofpower."
"Andsoyouconsideryourselfjustified.Apeculiarinterpretationofthecreed.Thecleansingmentionedhasadeepersignificance."
"Youdaretocondemnus?You?"
Aryansaid,"YouhavestillnottolduswhyyouenteredtheAlphanianChamber."
Totaketheopportunitybeforeitwastoolate.Tolearnwhathecouldwhilehewasable,butDumarestcouldn'ttellhimthat.
"Iamfarfrommypeople,"hesaidquietly."Astranger—andIknowtherule.Inmyposition,wouldn'tyouhavedonethesame?"
Agoodanswer,thoughtVestaler,butCroftwasn'tsatisfied.Heleanedforwardonthetable,stillbroodingovertheimaginedinsult,thesensehehadreceivedofbeingcorrected.Machinesweretheproductofevil;becauseofthemManhadbecomediversified.Howcouldanyonewhofollowedthecreedbelieveotherwise?
Hesaid,curtly,"Istillthinkyoulie."
"AneasythingtosaywhenyousitinCouncilbackedbyyourguards,"saidDumarest."Woulditbeaseasyifwestoodfacetofaceoutside?Butthen,ofcourse,youdon'tbelieveinpersonalcombat.Leontoldmethat."
"LeonHarvey!Thatrenegade?Thatcoward!"
"Coward?"Dumarestshookhishead."Callhimwhatyoulike,butnevercallhimthat.Considerwhathedid.He,alone,leftthevalleyandventuredthroughthewildernesstothetown.Aboydoingthatandmore.Hefoundwork,kepthimself,gainedmoney,traveledtoanotherworld.Coward?"Hisvoicetookonachillingnoteofcontempt."FromwhereIstand,itisyouwhoarethecoward,nothe."
"Master!"
"Youprovokedhim,"saidVestalershortly.
"ButLeon—"
"WeknowwhatLeonHarveydid.Therecanbenoexcuse,thatIagree."
"Andyetthismandefendshim!"Croftwasrepulsiveinhisanger."Theyaretwoofakind.Hashecomeheretorobusfurther?Amanwhoclaimstohavebefriendedaboy?Thatisenoughtocondemnhim.Isayheisacriminalanddeservestodie.Theruledemandsit!"
Therule,alwaystherule,theironbarrierwhichDumaresthadyettobreak.CroftwasafanaticaswasAryan,buthopecouldliewiththeothers.Atleasttheyhadnotdemandedhislife.
Hesaid,slowly,"HaveanyofyoueverstoppedtothinkwhyLeonran?"
"Cantherebeanydoubt?"UsdonspokebeforeCroftcouldfurtherventhisanger."Hecouldnotfacetheordeal."
"Theordeal,"saidDumarest."Toclimbtothesummitofapinnacle,tositthereduringthenight,afraidtosleepincaseoffalling,listeningtothepredatorsbelow,thethingswhichclimbandsting.Ahealthyladshouldhavenotroubleinstayingawake.Afitonetohangon.Agreed?"
Usdonnodded.
"Thenwhy,always,dosomefail?"
"Guilt,"snappedAryan."Fear.Aknowledgeoftheirownweakness.Aproofthattheyareunfittosurvive."
"No!"saidUsdonsharply."My—"Hebrokeoff,unwillingtomentionhisownrecentloss.
AreluctanceDumarestrecognized.Afortunatecircumstancewhichwouldbackhisgamble.
"Wespokeofcleansing,"hesaidtoCroft."Yousneeratotherswhobelieveasyoudo,butwhousemachines.Usethem,butarenotdominatedbythem,thatistheimportantdifference.Power,initself,candonoharm.Itislikeaspearwhich,initself,isausefultool.Itisthemanusingitwhichmakesitevil.Aspear,aknife,agun,alltools,allformsofpower.Anyformofpowercanbemisused.Theordealisaformofpower.Thepoweryouhaveovertheyoung.Apoweryouhavemisused."
Heheardthesharpintakeofbreath,theinstinctiveprotestatwhattheyconsideredtobeaninsanelyunfairaccusation.Bluntlyhepressedon.
"Aboyranfromtheonlyhomehehadeverknown.Helefthismother,hisfriends,hispeople.Heplungedintotheunknown—andyetsomeofyoucallhim
friends,hispeople.Heplungedintotheunknown—andyetsomeofyoucallhimacoward.Youneverevenconsideredthathemighthaveareason.Andnoneofyouseemtocareabouttheboyswhovanish,ortheoneswhoarefoundturnedintoghosts.Doyouwanttocontinuesacrificingyouryoungsters?Doyouenjoythetearsoftheirmothers?Themisuseofyourpower?"
"Itisatest,"rappedAryan.
"Aninitiation.Wehavealwayshadit,"echoedCroft.
Barog,moreobservantthantheothers,lessblindedbypridesaid,"Youmisjudgeus.Wearenotevilmen."
"Youknow,"saidUsdon.Helookedathishands,theyweretrembling.Toolate,hethoughtbleakly.Nomatterwhathappenednow,itwastoolate.Shamwasgone—nothingcouldbringhimback.Nothing.Andyet,otherscouldbesavedifDumaresthadnotlied.Ifhecouldprovehisaccusationtobejust."Youknow,"hesaidagain."Knowwhathappenstotheboys,whatrobstheirbrains."
"Yes,"saidDumarest."IknowandIwilltellyou—foraprice."
*
Idunashiveredasshesteppedfromthedoorofthehouse,areactioncausedlessbythechillthanthesightofarmedmenloominginfrontofherinthestarlight.Thewakinghadbeenabrupt,atouchandawhisperedcommand,herdemandforexplanationignored.Perhaps,now,shewastobetakentosomesecludedplace,theretobequietlydisposedof,spearedtodeathandburied.
VargEidhal'svoicewasarumblingreassurance.
"Don'tworry,wemeanyounoharm.ItisjustthatyouarewantedintheCouncilChamber."
"Why?"
"Justwalkbesideus."
"Justwalkbesideus."
Toamockeryofatrial,questionswhichcouldhavenoanswers.Asentencewhich,somehow,shehadtoavoid.
Shestumbledalittleassheenteredthewarmlylitchamber.Eyes,accustomedtotheouterdarkness,unabletoseedetailimmediately.Thenshesawmenseatedatatable,moreguards,thetallfigureofDumarest.
"Earl!What—"
"It'snothingserious,Iduna."Hewas,shesaw,relaxed,apparentlyincommandofthesituation.Shedrewadeepbreathofrelief."Ijustwantyoutoanswersomequestions."HenoddedtowhereVestalersatattheheadofthetable."Thetruthnow,thereisnoneedtolie."
HewatchedtheringoffacesassheverifiedwhathehadalreadytoldtheCouncil.Yes,shehadaccompaniedherbrotheronanexpedition.Theyhadcrashed.Hehaddiedinthecrashandtheirguidehadalsobeenkilled.Byabeast?Well,yes,inaway.
"Inwhatway?"Aryanwasquicktonotethehesitation.Hefrownedassheexplained."SoDumarestkilledhim.Areyouaccusinghimofmurder?"
"No,themanwasbadlyhurt,dying,ingreatpain.Therewasnothingelsewecoulddo."
"We?"
"He,Dumarest,hewasmerciful."
Atypeofmercytowhichtheywereunaccustomed,andVestalerfrowned.Yet,thepointwasnotworthpursuingatthistime.
"TellusoftheKheld."
"TheKheld?"SheglancedatDumarest."Why,we,thatismybrother,thoughttheycouldbefoundinthemountains.Anancientformoflifenativetothisworld,whichatonetimehadthreatenedthetown.Mybrother,"sheadded,"wassufferingfromstrain."
"wassufferingfromstrain."
"Hewasderanged?"
"No."
"Deluded,then?"Vestalerrappedthetableasshehesitated."Youmustanswerthequestion.Wasyourbrotherwhollynormal?"
"Yes.ItwasjustthathehadthisdeterminationtofindtheKheld."
"Didhe?"
"No."
"Haveyouanyproof,anykindofproofwhatsoever,thatsuchcreaturesexist?"
Againshehesitated,notknowingjustwhattosay,wonderingwhattheassemblywasallabout.TolieandperhapsdamnherselfandDumarest,ortotellthetruthandperhapsdothesame.
"ShallIrepeatthequestion?"
"No,thatwillnotbenecessary."Thetruth,Dumaresthadsaid.Forwantofabetterguidesheobeyed."No,Ihavenot."
"Youhaveneverseenthem?TheKheld,Imean."
"No."
FromwherehesatCroftsaid,harshly,"Alie.Iknewit.Anothertoaddtotherest."
Alogicalsummation,butUsdonwasn'tsatisfied.Astubbornhope,perhaps.Aconfidenceintheboywhichhadneverbeenshaken.Shamcouldnothavefailed.Therehadtobeanexplanation.
Dumarestgaveit.
"Idunadidnotsharemyexperience,"hesaid."Shewasasleepatthetime.I
toldyouthat,butyouinsistedonquestioningher."
"Withreason,"saidAryan."Yourstoryispreposterous.Aninvisiblesomethingwhichyouheard,butdidnotsee.Thestuffoflegends,storiestoterrifychildren.Iftheyexist,whyhaven'tweseenthem?"
"Orheardthem?"saidCroft,triumphantly."Answerthatifyoucan."
Hewastrapped,thoughtVestalerbleakly.Dumaresthadbargainedwell.Hislifeandthatofthewoman,tobesparedforthesakeofhisinformation,theproof.Theinformationhehadgiven,thelackofproofwouldsnapshutthejawsofatrapofhisownmaking.
"Youhaven'tseenthem,"saidDumarest,quietly,"becauseifyouhad,youwouldhavebecomeaghost.Asforhearingthem,perhapsyouhave.Think,"heurged,"remember.Youhaveallundertakentheordeal.Didnoneofyouhearathinsoundintheairthen?Achittering?Feelanimpressionofmenace?"
Hewaitedforananswer,butitwastoolongago.Eveniftheyremembered,nonewouldadmitit.Perhapswithcause.Tobethefirsttobackhisclaimwouldbetosharehisimpliedguilt.
"TheKheldareold,"hesaid."Perhapsnowveryfewinnumber.Theymustbeanaerialformoflife,andsowouldneverenterthevalleys.Theupdraftwouldbetoostrong.Thepinnaclesarehigh,ideallyplacedforthecreaturestoreach.Onthemyousetboys,easytargetsforsuchpredators.Theycome,takewhattheyneed,leavewithouttrace."
"Ifwhatyousayistrue,thenwhyarenotalltheboysaffected?"
Ashrewdquestion,Barogwasnofool.
"Isaidtheywerefew,"remindedDumarest."Perhapstheymaintainaterritorialarea,perhapseachboyprovidesfoodformorethanone.Frankly,Idon'tknow.ButIcanguesswhathappens.Theboysarelone,afraid,eachapreytohisownfearsandimagination.AndthentheKhelddrawnear.Ihaveheardthesound.Itnumbs,clogsthebrain—andIamagrownman.Aboywouldbeterrified.PerhapstheveryemotioninducedbytheKheldiswhattheyfeedon.That,orsomeformofnervousenergy—againIamnotsure.Butthereisaway
tofindout."
"Andthatis?"
"Youareallgrownmen.Proveit."
Usdonsuckedinhisbreath,quicktounderstand.
"Proveit,"snappedDumarest."Dowhatyoudemandchildrendo.Undertaketheordeal."HisfingerrosetopointatAryan."You!"AtCroft."You!"Attheothers,oneaftertheother."Provethatyouaremen—ifyoudare!"
*
Eidhalwasaboyagain,achildwhoclungtothesummitofhispinnacleandtriedtoforgetalltherumorsandinflatedtales,thefears,thememoriesofthosewhohadundertakentheordealandhadnotreturned.Ayounglad,aloneandfrightened,ashewatchedthewheelingofthestars,heardthesoftsoughofthewindasitrosefromthevalley.
Anillusion,hewasnotachildandhewasnotalone.Aryansatonthefingerofstonetohisright,Croftbeyond,Dumaresttohisleft.Twoothervolunteersfromtheguardsfurtherdown,Usdonbeyondthem.
Abadplacebuthehadinsisted,insistedtoothattherebesevenofthem,thesmallestnumbertoundertaketheinitiation.TheothersoftheCouncilwereadmittedtobetooold.Barogwouldneverhavemanagedtheclimb,Vestalerhadbeenoverruled.
AscrabbleandEidhalkicked,amultileggedbodyfallingtotheground.Trusttheildentoscentprey.Anuisancemorethananythingelse,butastingcouldburn,causeahandtoslip,abodytofall.Below,thecodorswouldbewaiting.
Herelaxed,forcinghimselftoeaseaninnertension.Therewasnothingtoworryabout.Hehaddonethisbeforeandremainedunscathed.True,fourothers
worryabout.Hehaddonethisbeforeandremainedunscathed.True,fourothersofhisbatchhadfailedandanotherhadturnedintoaghost,butthathadbeenyearsago.Yet,theyhadbeenasstrongashe.Hadhesurvivedonlybecauseoftheluckofthedraw,asDumaresthadsuggested?OneofthosewhohadnotbeenattackedbythemysteriousKheld?Wouldhehavesurvivedifhehad?
Odo,hehadbeenstrongtoo,avirileladwithazestforlife,quickatgames,thedelightofhismother,theprideofChart.Hehaddiedayearlater,slowtolifthisspear,wantingtofindacleanend,perhaps.Lydalsohadnotlastedlong.Shehadmournedherhusbandandthenhadgonetowalkamongthepredatorswhichhadtakenhim.Eidhalhadfollowedher,toolate.Shehaddiedinhisarms,hisonlysister—whywaslifesounfair?
Hestiffenedasheheardafaintsound.Thewind?Itwaspossible.Thesoftbreezecouldplaytrickswithastrainingear.Helistenedagain,concentrating,hearingathin,highclutteringwhichdiedassoonasitregistered.Afamiliarsound,onehehadforgotten,hisskinpricklingasherecalledthepast.Eventhenhehadnotbeensure,dismissingitasafigmentofimagination,rememberingtheadvicehehadbeengiven.
"Remaincalm,keepyourhead,beresolute."Advicehehadpassedon.
Apuffofwindandagaintheweird,eeriesound,thistimeaccompaniedbyanother.Thesoftimpactofclimbingboots,theraspofahumanbreath.
"Varg—canyouhearit?"
Dumarest,clingingtothestone,lookingupwards,hisfacediminthestarlight.
"I'mnotsure.I—"
"Comedown.Quietly.Youcanhandlethepredators?"
"Yes."GladofactionEidhalclimbeddownthehighpinnacle,stoodatDumarest'sside."Whatisit?"
"Overthere.WhereCroftis.Don'tmakeanoise."
Hemovedtotheright,soundless,Eidhallikeashadowathisside.Hehadexpectedthegroundtobethickwithcodors,butnonewereinevidence.A
expectedthegroundtobethickwithcodors,butnonewereinevidence.Achittinousbodycrushedbeneathhisfoot,proofoftheirstealth.Thethingswerenormallywary.
"Listen!"
Dumaresthadhalted,lookingupwardstowhereCroftsatperchedonhisfingerofstone.Themanwasvisibleonlyasabluragainstthestars.Ablurwhichmovedastheairfilledwithafaintstridulation,achitteringwhichgrewstronger,lowered,seemedtohoveroverthedimshape,toengulfit.
Croftmoaned.Itwasasoundbarelylouderthanasigh.Areleaseofbreathfromconstrictedlungs,aprolongedexhalation.Thechitteringincreasedinvolumeandthen,abruptly,stilled.
"God!"Eidhalfelthisstomachcontract,hisskincrawlashelookedupwards."Whatthehell'shappening?"
Onthepinnacle,somethingwasfeeding.Itwasdiaphanous,athingofgauzymembraneswhichcaughtthestarlightandreflecteditinwispyshimmers.Awebofnear-invisiblefilamentswhichcouldridethewind,fallingasitcondensed,risingasitextended.Awebwhichwasformedofadiffusedkindoflife,alientohumanexperience.
"Croft!Wemust—"
"No!"Dumarestheldthemanfast.Therewasnothingtheycoulddo—andapointhadtobeproven."He'sgone,"hesaid."It'salreadytoolate.Ifhedoesn'tfallandkillhimself,he'llbeaghost."
ChapterFourteen
"Croft."Vestalershookhishead,consciousofhisguilt,hisreliefthatithadnotbeenUsdon.Winestoodonthetableandhepouredhimselfameasure,sipping,hiseyesthoughtfulashestaredovertherimofthegoblet."Why?"hedemanded."WhyCroft?"
"Hewasafraid,"saidDumarest."Hisownfearkilledhim."
Hisownterror,thesweatoffearperhaps,attractingtheKheldtoitsscent.Usdon'sfacedarkenedasherememberedwhathehadseen.Ithadbeenamercythemanhadfallen,crushinghisskullashelanded,toliehelplessforthepredators.
Theyhadbeendeniedtheirprey.Thebodywastaken,buriednowwithallhonors.AceremonyCrofthaddeserved.Byhisdeath,hehadsavedthelivesofothers.Nolongerwouldtheordealbeheldinthehighplaces.Theinitiationwouldbechanged,younglivessaved,theuneasypresenceoftheghostseliminatedforalltime.
Usdonpouredwine,handedDumarestagoblet,liftedhisowninsalute.
"Forwhatyouhavedone,wethankyou,"hesaidwithformalcourtesy."Mayyourlifeamongusbelongandpleasant."
Thenextbarrierwastobesurmounted.HeandIdunaweresafe,butstillconfinedtothevalley.Aproblemtobesolved,butDumarestsaidnothingashereturnedthesalute.
Thewinewasstrong,richwithflavor,comfortingtohisstomachandeasinghisfatigue.Thejourney,thevigil,thereturn—andhisfullstrengthhadyettoreturn.
"Howdidyouknow?"askedVestaler."DidLeontellyou?"
"No,hebetrayednoneofyoursecrets.Butwhatmusthavehappenedwas
"No,hebetrayednoneofyoursecrets.Butwhatmusthavehappenedwasobvious.Hewascuriousandmusthavesneakedclosetothehighplacestowatchtheordeal.Hesawsomething,orheardsomething,anditfrightenedhim.Heworetheyellowtogaintimeand,whenitranout,hecoulddonothingbutrun."Dumarestloweredtheemptygoblet."Inhisway,hewasverybrave."
"Youlikedhim,"saidUsdonwithsuddenunderstanding."Heremindedyouofsomeone,perhaps."
Ofhimselfwhenyoung,traveling,working,movingon.Alittlebewilderedandunsure,astrangerinaconstantlychangingworld.ButLeonhadlackedtheonethingDumarestpossessed,theluckwhichhadenabledhimtosurvive.
There,butforthegraceofGod,wentI!Asoberingthought.
"WhatIcan'tunderstandishowyoumanagedtoescapetheKheldthefirsttimeyouexperiencedthem,"saidVestaler."Whenyouwereonyourjourney."
"Therewerefourofus,"saidDumarest."Wewereclose.ChaqueandIwereawakeandabletogiveeachotherstrength.AndIhavemetoddlifeformsbefore."
"Andyouarenotpronetofear,"saidUsdon."Yourcouragesavedtheothers."
"Perhaps."Dumaresthelpedhimselftomorewine."ButIthinkJalchsavedus.Hewasdreaming,experiencinganightmare,andhewoke.Perhapshisthoughts,hishate—whocantell?"
"Yetyouwenttothehighplacesknowingwhatcouldhappen.Theactofabraveman."Again,Usdonliftedhisgobletinsalute."Youandyourwomanwillbreedfinechildren.They,inturn,willaddtothestrengthofothers."
"Sheisnotmywoman."
"NotoftheOriginalPeople?"Usdonfrowned,thenshrugged."Itisnotimportant.Shecanbeindoctrinatedintothemysteries,taughtthethingsweknow,thepastwhichhastoberemembered.Itisunusual,butitcanbedone.Weoweyouthatandmore."
Therewouldbeahouseandaposition,rankwhichwouldgaininstatureastheyearspassed.Therewouldbeworktoengagehishandsandmind,boystotrain,mentoteach.Hewouldtellthemstoriesofotherworldsandexpandtheirhorizons,farbeyondthatofthevalley.Giventimehecouldchangetheirways,introducemachines,encouragetrade.Givethemlife.
Alreadytheyweretooinbred,youngfacesbearingasimilarstamp,linesofweaknesslyingclosebeneaththesurface.Freshbloodwouldrevitalizethem,hisownandthatofothers.Themountainscouldholdmineralsandgems,thepredatorscouldprovideskinsandfurs.EventheKheldcouldbesnaredandsoldtozoos.Aworthytaskforanymanandhere,maybe,hewouldcomeascloseasheeverwouldtohome.ToEarth.
Atemptation.Asnareloadedwithenticingbait;authority,respect,security,thepowertomanipulatelives,toguidethedestinyofapeople.Iduna.
*
Sheenteredthechamberasifatasignal,comingdirectlytowardshim,herhandsextended,featuresradiatingpleasure.
"Earl!I'vebeensoworried!ThankGodyou'realiveandwell!"
"Andyou?"
"Theykeptmewithinahouse.TherewasaloomandsomeofthewomentriedtoteachmehowtouseitEarl,it'snotforme."
Hesaid,flatly,"Theysaythatwehavetostayhere.Youwillhavetoweave,bakebread,makepots,dowhattheotherwomendo.Matewithme,"headded."Bearmychildren."
"Earl!"
"Doestheprospecthorrifyyou?"
"No,whyshouldit?"Hereyeswerecandidastheymethisown."Ifwehaveto,thenwemust."
"Yourbodyagainstmine,"hesaiddeliberately."Hotaswemate,yourwombfilledwithchild,growing,swelling,latertofeedthenewlife.Andnotjustonce,Iduna,butmanytimes.Weshalleattogether,sleeptogether.Yourbodywillprovidemypleasure,myhands—"Hebrokeoff,eyesnarrowed,searching."Youdonotobject?"
"No."Sheswallowed,thenmanagedtosmile."Ofcoursenot.Youareafineman,Earl.Nowomancouldaskforbetter.Wecanbehappyhere,youandI.Thevalleyisaniceplace,thepeoplekind.When—"
"Now!Today!"
"Youmeanthattonight—?"Again,sheswallowed."Butwhythehurry?Earl,youmustgivemealittletime,afewdaysatleast.Mybrother—Ican'tforgetJalchsosoon."
"Hewasyourbrother,Iduna,notyourhusband.Ishallbethat."
"Yes,Earl,ofcourse.Evenso,Ineedalittletime."Herlaughwasstrained."Youdon'tunderstand.I—youwillbethefirst.Please,Earl!Please!"
Shesaggedashenodded,herreliefobvious.AssheleftDumarestsaid,dryly,"AsItoldyou,sheisnotmywoman."
"Butshewillobey."Vestalerhadwatchedfromwherehestoodagainstawall."Shemustobey.Thereisnoalternative."
"Idisagree,"saidDumarestquietly."Wecouldalwaysleave."
"Thatisimpossible.Noonecanleavethevalley!"
"No?"Dumarestlookedfromonetotheother,fromUsdontoVestaler."LikeZafra,youlie.MenleftthevalleytogosearchingforLeon.Hesawthemandtheyfrightenedhim.That'swhyhetookpassageonthefirstvesselhecouldfind."
"He—"
"He—"
"Ran,"interruptedDumarest."Weknowwhy,buthedidnotleaveemptyhanded.Hetookthreethingswithhim.Amapwhichhehadtohaveinordertofindhiswayfromthemountains.Somethingofvaluewhichhecouldsellinordertoobtainpassagemoney—whatwasit?"
"Anancientseal,"saidUsdonbitterly."Madeofpreciousmetalandgems.Ithasbeenwithussincethebeginning."
"Andthephotograph,"saidVestaler."Theoneyoubroughtwithyou.Itisofnoimportance."
Dumarestsaid,quietly,"Iwasn'tcountingthephotograph.Therewassomethingoffarhighervalue.Asafeguardincaseheshouldbecaught.Withit,hecouldbargainforhislife."
"TheEye!"UsdonturnedtoVestaler."Master,heistalkingoftheEyeofthePast!"
Heknew!Hehadtoknow.ForamomentreliefmadeVestalergiddy,sothathehadtoclutchatthetableforsupport.Thebrooding,theregretwasover.Now,atlast,hecouldsleepeasilyatnightinsteadofspendingendlesshoursinself-recrimination.Heshouldhaveknown,suspected.Buthowtoevenimaginethepossibilityofsuchanevent?
Foraboytoactso!Theveryconceptwasincredible.
Hesaid,fightingtocontrolthetenorofhisvoice,"Youknow?Hetoldyou?"Andthen,asDumarestremainedsilent,heshouted,"Ifyouknowwhereitis,man,tellus!Ibegyou!"
"Iwill,"saidDumarest."ThemomentIreachthetown."
*
Theprice—alwaysthereseemedtobeaprice.First,hislifeandthatofthe
Theprice—alwaysthereseemedtobeaprice.First,hislifeandthatofthewoman.Now,thedemandtoleavethevalley,totravelsafelyunderescorttothecity.Tobetakentothefieldwhereshipslandedanddepartedforotherworlds.
Adanger.Athingcontrarytotherule—yethowcouldherefuse?
Vestalerfeltthathisworldhadoverturned,consciousthathedealtwithamanaccustomedtothingsbeyondhisexperience.Onewhohadearlylearnedtotakeadvantageofeverychancelifehadtooffer,togainanyedgeinordertosurvive.
"TheEye,Phal,"urgedUsdon."TheEyeofthePast."
Themostsacredobjecttheypossessed.Onewhichhadbeenstolenandnow,byanincredibleseriesofevents,couldberegained.
IfLeonhadn'tmetDumarest.Ifhehadn'tdied.IfDumaresthimselfhaddiedinthecrash,orinthemountains—surelyfatehadguidedhim.
Or—hadhelied?Itwaspossible.Vestalerstrainedhismind,tryingtorememberifhehadgivenanyclue,anyhintwhichcouldhavebeencaught,inflatedandbouncedbackasaboywouldbounceaballagainstawall.Thephotograph?Threethings,Dumaresthadsaid.Hadthephotographbeenoriginallyoneofthem,thestorychangedashedismisseditsimportance?HadUsdonspokentooquickly?Providedtheessentialclue?
Vestalergropedforthewine,filledagobletwithtremblinghands,winespillingasheliftedittohismouthandgulpeditdown.Howtobesure?
"TheEye,haveyouseenit?"
Dumarestremainedsilent.
"Howlargeisit,then?"Usdonwasmoredevious."Youcanseethatweneedproofofwhatyousay."
"Itisn'tverylarge—andyouneednoproof.IwilldeliveritonceIreachthetown."
SoitwasonShajok!AgainVestalerreachedforthewine,haltinghishandas
ittouchedthejug.Nowwasthetimeforaclearhead,andheregrettedwhathehadalreadytaken.
"Soitisinthetown,"hesaid."Youcouldtelluswhereitisand,whenwehaverecoveredit,youwillbefreetoleave."
"No."
"Youdoubtmyword?"
"It'smylife,"saidDumarestharshly."Toomanyaccidentscouldhappenonthejourney.Wedoitmyway,ornotatall."
Animpasse,butUsdonhadasuggestion."Thewoman,areyouwillingtoleaveherbehind?"
"Tojoinmelater?Yes."
Apossiblewayout,yetwouldDumarestreallycareifshejoinedhimatall?Achancetheyhadtotake,andtherewouldbearmedmenaccompanyinghimwithfirminstructionstokillifheshouldattempttoeludethem,orfailtodoashepromised.
"Verywell,"saidVestaler."Letusmakethearrangements."
Idunaglancedatthemastheyleftthehouse.Shestoodseveralyardsaway,facingtheendofthevalleyawayfromthemountains.
ShestiffenedasDumaresttouchedher.
"Earl!Youpromised—"
"ToleaveyoualoneandIshall.I'llbeleavingsoon.Youwillfollowinafewdays."
"Leaving?No,Earl,youcan't!Youmustn'tleavemeherealone!"
"You'llbesafe,Iduna."Hisvoicehardenedatherexpression."There'snohelpforit.Ithastobethisway."
"Youcouldwaitanotherfewdays."
"Waitforwhat?"
"For—"Hereyesmovedfromhisface,focusedonthesky,grewalightatwhatshesaw."Forthat,Earl.Forthat!"
Araftwhichdroppedquicklytotheground,tosettleclose.Araftwhichheldtwofiguresdressedinflamingscarlet,oneholdingalaser,bothadornedwiththegreatsealoftheCyclan.
ChapterFifteen
HsidominatedtheCouncilchamber.Hestoodlikealivingflameattheendofthetable,theacolyteathisside.Thecyber'svoicewasacarefulmodulation,onlythewordsheldanimplacablethreat.
"Ihaveadeviceburiedwithinmybody.ShouldmyheartceasetobeatasignalwillbesentandreceivedbythosetowhomIbelong.TheywillknowwhenandwhereIdied.Ifitisinthisvalley,thentotaldestructionwillfollow.Everyman,womanandchild,everyplant,everyanimalwillbeburnedtoash."
"Youwouldn'tdare,"saidVestaler."Youhaven'tthepower."
"Itwouldbeamistakeforyoutothinkthat,"saidHsievenly."Ihavenoconcernforyouinthisvalley—onceIdepartyoumaycontinueyourlifeasbefore.MyonlyinterestliesinEarlDumarest."
Andhehadhim,finallycaught,unabletorun,preventedfromkillingbyhisconcernforothers.Aweaknesswhichnocyberwouldbeguiltyof.Hsifeltthewarmsatisfactionofmentalachievement,theonlyrealpleasurehecouldknow.
"Youfollowedme."
"Ofcourse,OnceyouhadbeenlocatedonTradum,yourcapturewasinevitable.DidyoureallythinkyoucouldcontinuetoeludetheCyclan?"
"Theboy,"saidDumarest."Youfoundhim."
"Asimpleprediction.Hewasaninnocent,adreamerwhotriedtogetclosetoyoubytheuseofaname.Nerth—thereisnosuchplace,butthenamewascloseenoughtoanothertoarouseyourinterest.Hemusthavepickeduparumor,oroverheardyoutalking,thedetailsareunimportant.Thedrugsoldyoubytheapothecarywasuseless.Aharmlesssedative.Youruseoftherafttogainaccesstothefieldwasingenious."
Dumarestsaid,dryly,"Iwasinahurry."
Dumarestsaid,dryly,"Iwasinahurry."
"Withreason.Youwouldhavebeencaughtwithinthehour.Asitwas,CaptainShwarbknewwhattodo."
Bribed,aseveryothercaptainhadbeenbribed.
"YoutoldtheboywhatshipIwason,"saidDumarestharshly."HecameaboardafterIdid.AndyoupaidDinokandtheengineertolieabouthisplanetoforigin.Leonhadtobekilled,ofcourse—youredswine!"
"Hewasexpendable."
"YousentmetoShajok,"saidDumarestbitterly."OfferedmeabaitIcouldn'trefuse.Ishouldhaveguessed."
"Everymanhasaweakness,"saidHsi."Andnomancanhavethekindofluckforeverwhichhassavedyousooften.Theaccidentofchanceandcircumstancewhich,coupledwithyourquickthinking,hasenabledyoutoescapetheCyclanuntilnow."
"Whydidyouwaitsolong.YouknowwhereIwasheaded.Youcouldhavehadareceptioncommitteewaitingatthefield."
"Timewasagainstus.Shipsfewandfarbetween.Andprecautionsweretaken."
"Yes,"saidDumarest.Helookedatthewoman."Whatdidtheypromiseyou,Iduna?"
"Earl?"
"AtfirstIsuspectedChaque.YourbrotherwastooobviousandtheCyclanareneverthat.Chaquewasalast-minutereplacement.Then,whenhewasdying,hetriedtotellmesomethingaboutyou.Whathappened?Didheseeyouusingaradioinyourtentonenight?Spotsomethingelsewhenhewaswatchingyouundress?Threatentobetrayyouunlessyousawthingshisway?"
"Idon'tunderstand."Shelookedathim,puzzled."Earl,whatareyousaying?Weweretobemarried.YouknowIwantedtobewithyou.YouknowthatI
loveyou."
"Likehellyoudo!"
Shecriedoutashisknifeflashed,cut,thematerialofherblousefallingaparttorevealhigh,fullbreastsheldandmoldedbydelicatefabric.Hecutagainanddrewtheseveredbandfromaroundherwaist.Athinbelt,barelyaninchwide.Metalshowedatthecutends.
"Asignalbeacon."Dumarestthrewittooneside."Youknewhelpwouldbecoming.That'swhyyouinsistedonwaiting.Butyou'reabadactress,Iduna.Youcan'tpretendwhatyoudon'tfeel.Andyoucan'tmaskwhatyoudofeel.That'swhatmademecertain."
Herrecoilingwhenhehadtouchedher,herexpressionwhenhehaddescribedtheirfuture,thedeliberatecrudityanddetailedanticipation.
"AndChaque?"
"Hewasananimal,"shesnapped."Hewantedtouseme."
"Andyousufferedhim.Youhadnochoice.Why,Iduna?DidtheCyclanpromisetohealyourbrother?WasJalchthatimportanttoyou?"
"Hewasinsane!Afool!"
Amanwho,incredibly,hadbeenright,butDumarestdidn'tmentionthat.Northekissshehadgivenhim,theproofthatshesometimescouldact.
"Whatthen?"heurged."Togiveyouthebodyofaman?"Hecaughtthebetrayingflickerofhereyes."Sothatwasit.Toridyouofthefemalefleshyouwear.Thebodyyouhate.Apity,youcouldbebeautiful."
"Beautiful!"Shealmostspat,herfaceugly,distortedbyanger."Athingtobeusedbymenfortheirown,selfishpleasure.God,whywasIbornawoman?Icandoanythingamancando,anddoitbetterthanmost.YetbecauseIhavethis—"herhandstouchedhernakedbody,"Iamconsideredtobeanamusingnovelty.Atoy.Canyouguesswhatitisliketohatewhatyouare?Iwoulddoanything,anythingtobeaman."
Shewasinsane,herealized,likeherbrotherobsessed.Yet,wherehehadbeenprovenrightshewasdemonstrablywrong.Herconvictionofinferioritywasaproductoftheparanoiawhichhadturnedherintoasexualcripple.
Hesaid,cruelly,"Areyousosuretheycandeliverwhattheypromised?"
"What?"Idunaglancedtowherethecyberstood,tall,impassive,theacolytewatchfulathisside."Theymust!Theywill!"
"Whyshouldthey?YonheardwhatHsisaidaboutLeon,theboywasexpendable.And,now,soareyou.You'vedoneyourjob,guidedhimtome.Fromnowon,youareunnecessary."
Hisvoicewasahammerbeatingattheweakfabricofhermind,feedingtheparanoiashesharedwithJalch.
"Can'tyouseetheyhaveusedyou?Promisedmorethantheycandeliver?Playedonyourweakness?Youwillneverbeaman,Iduna.Thelifeyouhopedforisadream."
"No!"
"Tellher,Hsi.Behonest.Acyberhasnoneedtolie.Youcan'tdowhatshewantsandyouknowit.Tellher!"
Hsisaid,evenly,"Thethingcanbedonegiventime.Youknowthat."
"Time?"Idunafacedhim,takingastepforward,madnessinhereyes.Ananimalpoisedandtense,readytospring,totearandkill."Youlied,"shesaidthickly."Damnyou—youlied!"
"Ega!"
Theacolytefiredasshesprang,thebeamofthelaserhittingherbetweentheeyes,searingaholethroughskin,fleshandboneintothebrainbeneath.Oneshotandthentheacolytewasfallingtoo,equallydead,thehiltofDumarest'sthrownknifeared-rimmedprotrusioninthesocketofaneye.
"Earl!No!"
DumarestignoredUsdon'sshout.Asthebladelefthishandhesprang,handlifted,stiffened,fallingtoslamagainstthecyber'stemple.Asthemanslumpedhetoreatthewidesleevesoftherobe,rippedfreethelaserhehadknownwouldbethere.
"You'vekilledhim!"Vestalerstaredhishorror,shockedbythesuddendeathwhichhadenteredthechamber."Thevalley!"
"Heisn'tdead.NowfetchOdoandhurry!"
*
Hisstirred,sittinguprightonthetableonwhichhehadfallen.Theblowhadbarelystunned,andhefeltnopainfromthebruisedflesh.Foramomentheremainedsilent,lookingatthetwodeadfigures,atDumarestnowaloneinthechamber.
"Thatwasunnecessary,"hesaid."Youwouldnothavebeenharmed."
"No?"
"Yourlifeisimportanttous,asyoumustknow."
"Mylife,yes,"admittedDumarest."Butyourdefinitionofharmandminearenotthesame.Youcouldhaveburnedmylegs,myarms.Becausemybrainwouldremainundamaged,toyoutherewouldhavebeennoharm.Mybrainandtheknowledgeitcontains."
"Knowledgewemusthave.Itisours,stolenfromtheCyclan.Theaffinitytwinwasdevelopedinourlaboratory."
"Oldhistory,"saidDumarest."Possession,now,isallthatcounts.Ihaveitandyoudonot.Thatmakesmethemaster."
"Afool.Giveusthecorrectsequenceofthefifteenunitsandyouwillberewarded.ThatIpromise."
"Money,aplaceinwhichtolive,luxury,goodfood,mentoobeyme,security—forhowlong?No,Hsi.WebothknowthatIremainaliveonlybecauseyouneedme.Onceyouhavethesecret,Iwillfollowothers.Derai,"saidDumarestbitterly."Kalin,Lallia—IhavereasontohatetheCyclan."
Hate,anemotionunknowntothecyberaswereallothers.Love,fear,pity,greed,ambition,hope—allthingswhichweakenedlessermen.
"Mistakeshavebeenmade,"admittedHsi."Youwereanunknownfactorincorrectlyassessed.Thosewhofailedhavepaidthepenalty.ButIshallnotfail.Ihaveyouandyoucannotescape."
"No?"
"Youcannotkillme,yourconcernfortheinhabitantsofthisvalleypreventsyou.Youcannotescape—myraftwillrespondonlytomypersonalcontrol.Youcouldcrippleme,butwhatwillthatserve?No,Dumarest,foryouthisistheend.Theverypeopleyouprotectwillholdyouprisonerinordertosavetheirlives.Logic,surely,dictatesthatyouaccepttheinevitable."
Thesummationofknownfactswhich,tothecyber,ledtoonlyoneconclusion.Dumarestwouldnotkill,hecouldnotrun,hecouldonlywait.Soonnowhewouldbeheldinasecretlaboratory,hisbrainprobed,theessentialsequenceoftheunitsdiscovered.
"Logic,"saidDumarest."Thecoldcalculationsofamechanicalmind.Well,perhapsyouareright.Weshallsee."
Hemoveddownthechamber,turning,fumblingbeneathhistunic,fingersbusyathisbelt.Whenheturned,heheldsomethinginhishand.Asmallmetaltube,thewallsthick,strong.
"Theaffinitytwin,"hesaid."Youwantedit—yonmayhaveit."
"Thesequence—"
"Issomethingelse."Dumarestraisedhisvoice."Odo?"
Hestumbledasheenteredthechamber,Vestalerathisside,Usdonathis
Hestumbledasheenteredthechamber,Vestalerathisside,Usdonathisrear.Catchinghisbalancetostand,hewasdrooling,eyesblankashelookedatthedead.
"Odowant,"hemumbled."GiveOdosomethingnice."
Driedfruitswhichhestuffedintohismouthtostandchewing,spittledribblingoverhischin.Vestalerwasuneasy.
"Earl,whatdoyouintendtodo?Ifyoukillthecyber,weshallalldie.Ifyoudonot—"
"Hecouldhavelied,"saidUsdon."Didhe?"
"No."
"Then,ifhedies,weshallallbedestroyed?"
"Yes."
"SoitisinyourinterestthatIbekeptalive,"saidHsievenly."More,thatIbeobeyed.Dumarestmustbeheldfast,firmlyboundandguarded.Youwilldothat.Hewillbeplacedinmyraft,togetherwithmentowatchhim."Herosefromwherehesatattheendofthetable."Ishallleaveimmediately."
UsdonglancedatVestaler."Master?"
"Wehavenochoice,"saidVestalerbitterly."Iamsorry,Earl,butwehavetodoasthecybersays."
Doashehadpredicted,buttheachievementwasminor,thementalpleasuresmall.
Dumarestsaid,"Wait.Thereisanotherway."
"Thevalley—"
"Willnotbeharmed.ThatIpromise."Themetaltubepartedinhishands,revealedtwosmallsyringes,onetippedwithred,theothergreen."Red,"hesaid,showingittoHsi."Thesubmissivehalfoftheaffinitytwin."
"So?"
"Youwantedit—hereitis!"
Dumarestmovedwithasuddenreleaseofenergy,crossingthedistancebetweenthembeforetheotherrealizedwhatheintended,thecyber'shandlifting,touchingthesyringenowburiedinhisneck.
"No!You—"
"Havesolvedtheproblem,"saidDumarestharshly."Thinkaboutit,cyber—ifyoucan!"
Ifthemancouldstillthinkatall.Hisintelligencewastrappedbythebiologicalunitnownestlingatthebaseofhiscortex,totallydivorcedfromthecontrolofhisbody,themachineryofhismind.Aware,perhaps,asifinadream.Lostinatimelesslimbo.
"Heisn'tdead,"saidDumarestastheothersmovedtowardshim."Thinkofhimasacupwaitingtobefilled."Hemovedagain,thistimetowardsOdo,thegreensyringeplungingintotheidiot'sflesh.Amomentanditwasdone.
"Odo!"Vestalerlookedathim,thelimpbodysupportedbyDumarest'sarms."Idon'tunderstand,"hesaidblankly."Whathashappened?"
"Odoisasleep,"saidDumarest."Youmusttakegoodcareofhim.Hecanbefed,washedandkeptwarm,buthecandonothingforhimself."Heloweredtheheavybodytotheground.
"Andthecyber?"
Hsilookedathishands.Heturnedthem,peering,mouthopen,slackintheskull-likecontoursofhisface.Hiseyeswereempty,vacuous,theblankwindowsofadesertedhouse.Fromhislipscameathindrone.
"Odowants…giveOdo…Odogood…"
Theintelligenceoftheidiotnowdominantinthebodyofthecyber.Thetransferofegowhichwasthemagicoftheaffinitytwin.Dumaresthandedhimascrapofdriedfruit.
scrapofdriedfruit.
"Whathappened?"Usdonwasbaffled."Isaw—whathappened?"
"Theychanged,"saidVestaler."ThecyberbecameOdo.IsOdo.Earl!"
Dumarestcaughtthenoteoffear,recognizeditscause.
"Youhavenothingtoworryabout,"hesaid."Hsi'sbodyisaliveandwell.Nosignalwillbesentandnoretributionturnedagainstyou.I'lltakehimwithmewhenIleaveinhisraft.Thebodyoftheacolytewillbedumpedinthewilderness."
Dumped,buthisroberetained.WearingitDumarestwouldaccompanytheapparentcybertothecity,takepassageonavessel,leavethepatheticcreatureonsomefarworld.Hewouldbefound,takencareof—theCyclanlookedafteritsown.
ButbeforethathappenedDumarestwouldhavevanished,movedon,losinghimselfintheinfinityofspace.
Vestalersaid,dully,"AndtheEye?TheEyeofthePast?Isupposeallyousaidaboutthatwasjustalieinordertoescape."
"No,"saidDumarest."Itwasn'twhollyalie."
*
Hehadlefttheidolinhisroom,goingtofetchit,returningwithitinhishandtotheAlphanianChamberwheretheotherswaited.ForalongmomentDumarestlookedatthedesigns,thescrapsofvariousmaterialsinthecases,thebooks.Thenhefacedtheotherswheretheystoodbeforethealtar,theidolinhishand.
"Leoncarriedthis,"heexplained."Ahobby,perhaps,butIneversawhimworkonit.Thematerialisthesameaswasusedbythewomanpotterforwhomheworkedinthecity.Aconvenientsubstancetocoversomethinghemighthave
heworkedinthecity.Aconvenientsubstancetocoversomethinghemighthavewantedtohide.Somethinghecouldhavestolen."
"TheEye?"Vestaler'shandtrembledashetouchedthecrudedepiction."Inthere?"
ForanswerDumarestliftedit,smashedithardagainstthestonefloor.Itshattered,lumpssplittingapart,fragmentsflying,aheapofgranulesdullintheyellowlight.Amongthem,somethinggleamed.
"TheEye!"Vestaler'svoicewasashoutofjoy."TheEyeofthePast!"
Itwassmall,round,alensofcrystalfilledwithablurofformlessdesigns,flecksofcolorblendedinwildprofusion.Vestalersnatcheditup,wipeditclean,tearsofthankfulnessrunningoverhiswitheredcheeks.
TheEyereturned!Onceagaininitsrightfulplace!Theimpossibleachieved!Hismindswamwithagiddyrelief.
"Whatisit?"saidDumarest."Whatisitfor?"
Themanhadarighttoknow—withouthimtheachewouldstillexist,thehurtremain.Fatemusthavedirectedhim,theancientonesstrivingintheirimmutablefashion,Howelsetoexplainit?
Usdonsaid,quietly,"Phal,hehasearnedtheright."
Theinitiation,thesafetyofthevalley—yes,hehadearnedtheright.Morethanearnedit,yettraditionmustbemaintained.
Vestalersaid,formally."Usdon,doyouproposethatEarlDumarestbeshowntheinnermysteries?"
"Master,Ido."
"Andyou,EarlDumarest,soontoleaveus,doyouswearthatnever,ever,willyoubetraytootherswhatyouareabouttosee?"
"Iswear."
"Youarewithus,ifnotofus.WeoftheOriginalPeopleacceptyou.Now
"Youarewithus,ifnotofus.WeoftheOriginalPeopleacceptyou.Nowcomewithme,watchandbehumble."
Vestalerturnedandapproachedtheenigmaticmachinesetinthefloorbeneaththedome.HestoopedoveritasUsdonmovedsoftlyaboutthechamber,extinguishingthelanterns.Whenonlyoneremainedatthefarendofthechamber,hecametostandbesideDumarest.
"Now,"saidVestaler."Witnessthegloriesnowlosttous.Thepastwemustremember."
Hetouchedsomethingand,suddenly,lightandcolorfilledthedome.
Apattern.
Ascene.
ApartofancientEarth.
Dumarestknewit,feltit,sensedthatitcouldbenothingelse.Itwasallaroundhim,streamingfromthemachine,lightdirectedthroughtheEye,thelenswhichheldholographicimages.
Apark,neatlycroppedgrass,trees,birdswhichhunglikejeweledfabrications.Intheforeground,asoaringmonumentofweatheredstone.Anobeliskwithapointedtip.
Ablur,anotherscene.Abridgewhichseemedtofloataboveariver,strandslikethoseofaspider'sweb.Inthewater,theshapesofassortedvessels.
Thefacesofsolemngiantscarvedonthesideofamountain.
Avastcanyon.
Agreatwaterfall.
Oceans,ice,deserts,endlessfieldsofripeninggrain.Massivepyramids,citieswhichstretchedtothehorizon,soaringbuildingswhichreachedforthesky.
Sceneafterscene,eachfillingthedome,allbuildingtoaculminationof
Sceneafterscene,eachfillingthedome,allbuildingtoaculminationofawesomemajesty.
Oneplanettohaveheldsomuch!
Earth!
ButnottheworldDumaresthadknown.Herewerenosignsofdreadfulscars,thearidbleaknesshehadknownasaboy.Nogapingsores—thiswasaworldatpeace,burstingwithenergyandlife,aplanetinitsprime.
Heblinkedasthescenesended,darknessclosingin,momentarilydisoriented.
"Thethingswemustremember,"whisperedVestaler."Ourancientheritage,losttousbecauseofheinousways.Oneday,whenwearecleansed,itwillbeoursagain."
Dumarestturnedtomoveaway,feltUsdon'sgriponhisarm.
"Wait.Thereismore."
Aflickerandthedomeshonewithstars.Blazingpointsoverlaidwithnamesandnumbers—Sinus8.7,Procyon11.4,Altair16.5,EpsilonIndi11.3,AlphaCentauri4.3…
Signpostsinthesky!Dumareststaredatthem,impressingthedataonhismemory.Namesandnumberswhichhadtobedistances.Arelationshipcouldbeestablishedbyacomputer,thecommoncenterdetermined,themoderncoordinatesfound.
"Earl?"Usdonwasbesidehim,hisvoiceanxious."Yourface—isanythingwrong."
Dumarestdrewadeepbreath.Theraftwaswaiting,soonhewouldbeonhisway.Now,itwouldbeonlyamatteroftimebeforehissearchwasover.
"No,"besaid."Nothingiswrong."