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."