But this I tell you, Farree - the time will come when you shall truly know what you are and who. And it will not be an ill time - but a good!

Some of the warmth which had been among the song's notes and had flowed from the great third ring caressed him softly again. He tried to bow, though with his twisted body it was an awkward salute.

For such fa.r.s.eeing as you give me - thanks. Lady.

One does not give thanks for the truth. But there is another matter for us now. Come!

The other three who shared the dais turned as one and started away, and he fell in behind while Maelen and Lord-One Krip followed, Farree still between them. So they came into a side pa.s.sage of the hall and at last into a room which was not all austere and comfortless stone but had around two sides a bench padded with woven lengths. More such hung across the bare stone of the walls. Again by some trick of the long-ago builders there was an opening in the roof through which fed the light of the third ring to give radiance to the room, for there were crystals or gems set in patterns on the flooring now flashing rays from one to another. Parree watched them in wonder, hardly daring to step out upon such a carpeting, as they winked in subtle patterns almost like the lights upon the control board of a ship. Yet these were rocks and gems, and they were far from any off-worlder thing.

The four Elders settled themselves on one bench and motioned the other three to take that nearer the door. He settled down there between the Lady Maelen and Lord-One Krip. Then one of the male Elders pointed with his rod to a portion of the wall and it opened, coming forth from it, on a tray transported as if by wings, a tall goblet which glistened with life in the moonlight.

That was borne to Maelen. She accepted it and drank a single mouthful; then she pa.s.sed the cup to Farree and nodded encouragingly. He drank and pa.s.sed it on to Lord-One Krip. Once he, too, had accepted and drank, the goblet turned and was away again.

It seems that these off-woriders who follow the lower path are here well housed and intend to stay until they have accomplished their purpose. He who looked to be the eldest of the Elders broke the silence first.

Perhaps it is we who have drawn this trouble upon our people - The Lady Maelen spoke in answer. That we did on another world in fear for our lives, and more than just our lives, has sent ripples to Yiktor.

They were here before, the woman who had spoken to Farree said. I know not what they seek, but we have our own barriers and guards and they have not penetrated those - Save when they sought to draw us forth. Lord-One Krip spoke sharply. Those machines were tuned to one persona pattern, thus only Farree was forced to answer. Somewhere they had prepared to so cage us.

All four of the Elders inclined their heads in agreement.

Therefore the quicker we go, the less the threat - he continued. But the woman held up a hand in a gesture that silenced him.

We are the Tha.s.sa and the years lie many and heavy behind us. Nor are we the less now because we have discarded much which the off-world holds in high regard. We cannot be hunted by their hounds - Perhaps not, but you can be destroyed. And do not think that such a thing is beyond the minds of those who try to hold the gateway of your land. What they cannot take, they remove.

The faces of all four of the Elders were set sternly, and she who seemed their first speaker slowly shook her head from side to side.

Let them try. There was such confidence in her words that Farree did not know whether to accept them and be content or whether to wonder at the disbelief of those who had never been off-world and did not understand the spreading and iron-handed power of the Guild.

Their presence here can be reported. It was Lord-One Krip who offered that. The Patrol - Again her head moved right and then left. They move against the Tha.s.sa in their own lands. These come brazenly to do what they will. We are not so far from our sources even in these days that we cannot defend our own. Do you think that these would retreat even if the three of you were taken and laid at their feet?

Lord-One Krip's mouth set and his shoulders squared as if he were about to reach for a weapon.

The tales concerning the Guild are many and black. I cannot believe that any bargain they made would be honored. But there is this - time may be against them. This is not yet a world they control. Their nest in that ruin is the largest consolidation now of their power here - else we would have heard. Therefore a pact with them would buy - Nothing! Her word had the force of an aroused one's oath. We do not treat with such as these. However, they may force us back into a path we forswore long ago - that we would meet open force with open force. When we chose what lies here - she touched her forehead with the tip of her finger and then spread out her hand level and empty between them - against what we might carry thus, the balance shifted and the Scales of Molester were set anew. It is our thought that these invaders, will not be easily turned aside, bemused by illusion. You say they are mind guarded - thus our first defense is negated. Very well, if illusion cannot grip them, then we shall summon the power. These are the hours of the third ring when the power ascends, and during the height of it we must make our move. No - She looked straight at Farree and under that regard he felt like a small crouched animal without any burrow in which to hide, as if all he was was spread out before the four for their reading.

Picture, she ordered, what you know of these men.

He began with that force which had drawn him forth from shelter, compelling him to deliver himself to the enemy. He continued with his trip in the flitter, his coming to the ruins, and his imprisonment in the tower - then his meeting with the Commander and Sulve. Then, for the first time he was interrupted by a raised hand of one of the men.

This Sulve has been heard of. He is outwardly a merchant whose ship is in port for repairs.

I believe him Guild, Farree answered. They are supposed to have their men in many places - mostly unknown.

True enough, Lord-One Krip agreed.

It matters not what he seems to be. The woman sounded impatient now. Let us know the rest.

So he told the story of his two interrogations, one under a machine which would prove the truth or falsity of his answers. There was a shade of another expression on the face of the Elder, one Farree could not read.

So they depend always on machines. They have no trained Deliverer with them, she commented. This machine - she spoke now to the Lord-One Krip - such are in use off-world?

The Patrol are said to have them, and they are used by the law on several worlds. But what is known to the law sooner or later comes into Guild hands.

I do not think, the Lady Maelen said, that they could read Tha.s.sa.

They will not get a chance! Again the male Elder flashed with some heat.

Can you, Farree began slowly, one part of him struggling against the other which was all sober reason, equip one who is not Tha.s.sa with false information and plant him to be retaken?

For a long moment that seemed to stretch and stretch there was quiet in the room. He wanted to cry out he did not mean what he had said, that there was no way he was going to be trapped into returning into the hands of the Commander. For there would be no games played then - his very mind might be peeled and segmented so that the false would be made plain enough to those whose powers he had feared and held in awe all his life.

I think . . . not! That was Maelen. There is Yiktor itself to work for us.

Perhaps. The woman made a dismissing gesture with her hand. But the full story is not yet told. What happened then, little one?

He told of the coming of the bird with Toggor, of how by the smux's help he had set up the trap for the guard. Toggor, as if he knew well he was being discussed, came out of Farree's shirt to sit upon one of those k.n.o.bby knees, his eyestalks well up and all turned in the direction of the Elders.

For the rest Farree hurried over his climb to the tower top and the nest there. When he spoke of finding the small box, the man among the Elders who had not yet spoken leaned forward and demanded: There were symbols on this box - you could read them?

Farree shook his head. It was very old - That it was! the man agreed. We knew not that such still existed. But if it was there, what else may still be ready to hand?

How did you know how to use it? again he asked Farree.

I did not. It was very old and worn. I forced it open, and the powder in it touched the dried nest stuff and aflamed.

So. The Scales dipped in your favor then. This is something to be thought on. Only yet your story has no end - give us that, little one.

Farree spoke of his improvised weapons of bone and the a.s.sault on his perch, of the strange cloud of smoke which, instead of being wafted away by the wind, had sunk into the courtyard. Then he ended with the message of hope and the coming of the flitter to bear him away.

Well enough, the Elder who had questioned him about the box said when he finished. You gave them the truth and it did not serve them; you have escaped them, therefore their wrath, or that of their leader, will be great. I know that we may look forward to some new attack on their part. And since you are not Tha.s.sa and so vulnerable to what they may launch in the form of controls . . . He hesitated.

Farree moved a little on his seat. Uneasiness and wariness arose within him. He had half offered, in spite of all good reason, to be bait, even as the Guild had thought to use him. But they had not accepted that from him. Now - now he must make them understand.

What if they set some control on me and I prove a key to open your fortress?

Forewarned is forearmed, Lord-One Krip made answer. His hand closed about Farree's upper arm and he kept a grip there as if he feared that the hunchback was about to take off forthwith to tempt the Commander and his men into the open.

There are none that can touch you here now. The Tha.s.sa Elder spoke with such conviction that Farree was compelled to believe her. We have a defense which has not grown any the lesser through the years but stronger, as we have learned more and more concerning our own powers of self.

They will not give up, Lord-One Krip said slowly. Even if we see them evacuate the ruins and seemingly depart, we may be sure they have not given up.

Nor shall we. There will be eyes aloft and eyes afield. Those who go on two wings and those who trot on all fours will keep them ever under eye.

Farree drew a deep breath. The bird which had brought Toggor, Yazz, other animals either linked by mind to - or even exchanged with - a Tha.s.sa. What if all the Tha.s.sa became one with the birds and the animals of this world? How could those still in human guise know or prepare to defend themselves against such an overthrow of all which was natural by their own thinking? Hand clutched on hand before him. What would it be like to have a fine, well-shaped body like Yazz - to be free of the miserable itching burden always on his back? Could this be done for him? His life as a humanoid had not been such that he would not willingly relinquish it for this other and freer guise.

Not so! She had read him, this Tha.s.sa Elder. It is not given for all to make great change. Even the Tha.s.sa cannot do that as they please. Would you condemn Yazz to your body then?

Farree set teeth on his lip and bit hard. All his thoughts had been for himself, that was the truth. No, he could not ask that any - animal or man - take on the burden that he wore.

You must be a Singer. The Lady Maelen must also have caught those thoughts. And there must also be to hand one furred or feathered who needs the strength of man - one hurt in mind or greatly beloved to the Singer. It is not an easy thing like putting off one kind of clothing and a.s.suming another. She was kind, but he did not need her kindness, he thought sourly for that moment.

I have been thinking upon this matter of the Eor-fog, the other Tha.s.sa man spoke. That such a weapon was left in a grok nest is a mystery beyond all mysteries. It has been so many tens of tens of tens of seasons since the last of the weapons was destroyed. Certainly these ruins were built even later as an outpost for the Lord Janger's land. Where did the grok find that? There was nothing else? He looked to Farree.

This - the hunchback drew the knife from his belt - and a sword - I, think it was a sword - which was rusted past use. Some sc.r.a.ps of leather which might once have been a belt. And bones - many bones.

If Janger had come across any such arms, the woman Elder commented, he would not have been overrun during the march of the clans. But there remains no record of usage. Who knows where the grok came upon it? They are easily attracted to all bright and shiny things. The c.o.c.k brings them to the nest to attract a hen to what he has built for her.

The grok do not range too widely, answered her companion. This was a better hunting land then. And the nest was old. It might well have been built in the first year Lord Janger set his own masons to work. These lordlings look for omens and fortune favors. The Lord Janger's war sign was a screaming grok - he would have never had such driven from his own inner keep. No, the box came from somewhere near.

You are saying?

Saying that perhaps there are other supplies here in the heart of Tha.s.sa holdings - only waiting to be found!

There was the surrender of all! the woman Elder protested.

Something might have been overlooked. I would advise that, instead of setting all the seers upon actions of the enemy, we put some to hunt those places where we have not walked hereabouts - to see what time itself may have hidden for future finding.

Moonglow was gone with the deepening of the dawn. Farree stood in the valley of the Tha.s.sa watching a mustering of the clans and then an outspreading of men, women, and even children-each small group heading toward one of the carved doorways in the cliffs. But he remained with Lord-One Krip and the Lady Maelen and their place was apart: up the throat of that canyon which led to the valley and to the edge of the plain on which still stood the ship that had brought them. By them danced Yazz on impatient feet, ready to be gone; while Bojor hunched from side to side, swinging his heavy head aloft as far as nature would allow it to reach, the nostrils wide above the tooth-fringed muzzle as the creature tested the air.

That the Guild would have reason to explore their ship was something they all agreed upon. Though there was nothing within it that could possibly give any service to the Commander's force - not now. Star maps, yes, but Yiktor had been their true goal and on Yiktor they had landed. Whatever other voyage tapes were in stock within would lead only to false trails, and so perhaps would serve better now than weapons to confuse the enemy.

They did not enter the ship itself as that could prove a trap, but took places behind the fallen rocks which lapped about the foundations of the cliffs and so set themselves to wait and watch. This waiting and watching left the mind open to thought, and thought now plagued Farree. He kept returning to that dream - released memory - the one of Lanti. Who was he, and how had he come into the hands of that discredited and disgraced s.p.a.cer? For, thinking back, it was plain that Lanti had had some reason to keep apart from the others of his kind who came to enjoy the tawdry pleasures of the Limits. The hunchback fought hard to fix on some point further back in time than the s.p.a.cer's confrontation with the big man, striving to picture better that glittering sc.r.a.p of something which had brought that one to hunt out Lanti and his captive. For he was certain that he, Farree, had not been with the s.p.a.cer of his own will.

Only, when he struggled so to remember, he came always to a dark wall. What was sealed thereby he had no way of telling. Perhaps it was best that he did not know. Yet, no matter how many times he told himself that, the same number of reasons for remembering followed. Until he became aware of something else.

From behind the rock which he had chosen for his vantage point he could see the Lady Maelen and crouched behind her, his jaws moving rhythmically as if he chewed upon cud, was Bojor. There was a stir - not from them, rather in the warmth of the desert air itself.

Down from the sky wheeled a flying thing which was wide-pinioned and descended in a spiral, with only a few flaps of wings to keep it on course. It was black, yet the light struck rainbow points of color from the sleek fur on its body and along its wings, which appeared clad in skin and hair instead of feather wreathed.

It landed on the very rock behind which the Lady had taken refuge, and he could see that its head had no bill, rather a sharp muzzle with a show of teeth to suggest that it was a hunter and a formidable one. It was very large, perhaps its head would near top Farree's were they to stand side by side. It's second pair of limbs, which had been folded tightly across the upper section of its body, unfolded and reached out, naked claws showing, as if to menace the woman it now faced.

There was a shrill cluttering sound and the wings flapped noisily as if the creature wished to take off and was compelled against its will to remain. Maelen's hands moved as had the claws. Not reaching for the winged one but in a kind of pounce and retreat pattern as if she played with some prey in a cruel fashion.

There was mind send - but of such a pattern as Parree could not follow. The thing took tiny steps that with the beat of the wings raised it a fraction from the rock only to let it drop again to its perch. Large eyes gleamed a brilliant gem-flash green and the overlarge ears twitched back and forth.

At length one of those uneasy jumps did take it into the air, and it beat its way up, to hang overhead, a wild flutter of wings keeping it steady above the rock on which it had perched. The Lady Maelen's right hand moved in a half circle and the thing wheeled out, circling about the silent tower of the star ship, once, twice, thrice before it was gone, soaring up until it was only a speck in the sky, a speck which headed toward the distant ruins if Farree could judge aright. He believed that so another pair of eyes had been added to their own scouting mission.

It was hot and grew hotter as the sun arose. This was a barren land, where even the patches of bleached gra.s.s looked dead on the root and fought a retreat against sand, gravel, and rock. Toggor had early made plain his opinion of their station by retreating into Parree's shirt, drawing in his eyestalks and apparently going to sleep. The hunchback also discovered that watching monotonously while nothing happened was a base for drowsiness. Since the departure of the winged one there had been no movement beyond the cliffs of the Tha.s.sa.

Thus it was almost with relief that he did see a dot in the sky - the creature the Lady Maelen had dispatched? No - there was no mistaking the sound. There was a flitter on the wing.

Surely the s.p.a.ceship and flitter would draw any attention, whether it was the Guild who came now or some other cruiser - perhaps even a local planet guard. He knew very little of Yiktor save what he had learned from the Tha.s.sa, but they were only a small handful now and kept to their own barren land.

The flitter did not approach the downed ship straight, but circled. Though, Parree noted, it kept its circle from invading the air over the cliffs.

C-2 double 3: Reply. Are you in trouble? It was not the clear mental call of the Tha.s.sa, but rather an actual voice out of the air overhead. Surely a Guild detachment would not use that approach! This flitter must serve some local form of the law.

Parree looked questioningly to the Lady Maelen. She had not moved. When he turned his head cautiously, he could see no trace of motion in the Lord-One Krip. Whoever these newcomers were, the Tha.s.sa wanted no contact with them. C-2 double 3: This is port command. Are you in trouble? The newcomers, lower now, could certainly see that the downed ship's landing ramps were out.

This is a type four planet. C-2 double 3 - landing is allowed at the control port only. What is your difficulty? That encircling approach the flitter had made was very much closer to the ship now. The smaller craft was preparing to set down. Farree saw movement ahead, a small body flitting from one tangled growth of gra.s.s or standing stone to the next, working its way purposefully toward the silent ship and the newcomer. Too small for Yazz - and besides, that prancing champion could not have made such a stealthy advance. It must be some other one of the animals the Lady Maelen could and did command. It squatted finally not far from the ramp of the s.p.a.ceship, and when it was still it melted so into the background that Farree could not distinguish it at all.

The flitter set down and a figure got out, a stunner, plain by the length of its barrel, in hand.

We are coming in. This is control from Central Port.

The voice rang loudly. Farree thought that it came from the flitter rather than the man who had landed, and was magnified to a shout by some instrument on board.

There were two aground now. They did not advance toward the ramp together but separated, weapons in full sight. One remained at the foot of the entrance ramp while the other climbed inside. There was a wait - the intruder must be investigating the ship with caution. In time he returned and gestured with an outflung arm so that his companion started back to the flitter.

He did not make a straight track but swung in and out across his first path, apparently in search of some track that might have been left on the ground. Though it would take an expert tracker, Farree was sure, to find any such.

The searcher halted and beckoned. His fellow ran down the ramp to join him. Farree felt that as long as the control men were present there was to be no attempt to attack the Tha.s.sa. The Guild would lie low. Oddly enough, he felt no confidence from this belief. Part of him wanted to front the Guild again, to have done with the suspense.

The strangers inspected the ground thoroughly, one of them even getting down on hands and knees as if he possessed Yazz's sense of smell and would hunt along their last trail - day old as it was. Finally the two gave up and returned to the flitter, which took off - but not soon enough to miss the return of the flying creature Maelen had sent out earlier. The thing saw them and shied to the north, sailing to a greater height, apparently making for cover.

It need not have feared. The flitter arose easily and turned to go back the way it had come. Farree realized the gravity of the craft's visit. Any ship that did not planet at the port probably was, in their eyes, outside the law. They might continue to fly patrols in this direction, waiting for the crew of the deserted s.p.a.ceship to return. Thus the Guild would not move, nor could the Tha.s.sa show outside their valley for fear of questioning. And all knew that the Tha.s.sa had nothing to do with off-world ships. Not all the Tha.s.sa - Farree wondered. Who knew about Lord-One Krip, who had been a Free Trader? And what of the Lady Maelen? Surely their story had caused talk on this portion of Yiktor. But just as surely they had nothing to fear from the laws of this or any other world. It was the Guild who must go underground.

Perhaps - Lord-One Krip's mind touch came almost as clearly as had the voice from the flitter. Yes, my story is known - probably to far too many here. Also what happened on Sehkmet. The Guild have their own ties with the law. We are better without allies.

As the flitter disappeared in the distance the Lady Maelen straightened in her hiding place and Bojor moved back to give her room. She leaned against the rock that sheltered her, both palms against its rough surface, her head turned to the north where the creature of the skies had disappeared.

Scrambling over the smaller rock came the furred one Farree had only glimpsed when it had gone forward to scout the landed flitter. It leaped for the Lady Maelen and she caught it in her arms, cradling it against her breast as if it were the child whose size it matched. Again Farree caught only broken words of whatever message it delivered, as its sending range was far above his own thread of mind exchange.

It is true - Now came her own send verifying. Ista 'read' them. Those were not Guild, nor do they even know that this is the heart of Tha.s.sa territory.

What do they know? Lord-One Krip broke out sharply.

What they shall learn by their path of return flight. She was smoothing the dark fur gently. Ista put it in their minds to swing northwest a little.

The ruins - the Guild. Farree voiced what Lord-One Krip must also be thinking. They will see - All which is open, Lady Maelen agreed.

Which may be nothing, he returned. The Guild will have their own precautions and hidey-holes.

Perhaps. I would like to know how swiftly they can take to cover and whether they now have their flitters in hiding. There is little place there to conceal those. This may well bring another player into the game.

It would seem, however, that the visit and retreat of the guard flitter was not to end their own attending to the empty ship, for neither the Lady nor Lord-One Krip moved to withdraw. And waiting without any prospect of someone coming was a tedious thing, Farree discovered.

Toggor crawled out of his shirt and made raids where he could crook a claw under a stone and turn it over, scooping up grubs and insects so exposed. Farree ate his own rations and drank sparingly from his water flask.

It was the coming of the winged one for the second time that broke the dullness of the afternoon. Circling down, it perched on a rock which brought it eye-to-eye in height with the woman. This time Farree was not even able to catch the faintest wave of whatever message pa.s.sed between them. The creature bobbed its head twice and a moment later took to the air again.

Then came the Lady Maelen's send: There has not been grok here for as long as the memories of the jam exist - ; which means during at least one of our generations. But there is a height in the north where they had a second nesting place. Near that are caves. Also - now she spoke slowly, almost as if she were thinking her way through a problem - those in the ruins have been seen twice scouting in that ; direction, and what they must so seek is - A storage place! Lord-One Krip was quick to answer.

There are none - or so I would have sworn. The Tha.s.sa destroyed all that existed when they turned their backs on the old knowledge and took to the roads and open places.

A man would have said that Sehkmet was an empty world also - until raiders and the Guild proved that untrue, Lord-One Krip replied. They have access to machines which can give them readings. They may even have a sensitive among them.