The Project Gutenberg EBook of Star Born, by Andre Norton This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: Star Born Author: Andre Norton Release Date: May 27, 2006 [EBook #18458] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STAR BORN *** Produced by Jason Isbell, Greg Weeks, Sankar Viswanathan, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
ANDRE NORTON STAR BORN ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. 1120 Avenue of the Americas New York, N.Y. 10036 "Whatofourchildren—thesecondandthirdgeneraitonsbornonthisnewworld?Theywill havenomemoriesofTerra'sgreenhlilsandblueseas.WliltheybeTerrans—orsomething else?" —T AS K ORDOV , Record of the First Years 1 SHOOTING STAR Thetravelershadsightedthecoverfomthesea—anarrowbtieintotheland,thefirstbreakintheclffiwall whichprotectedtheinteirorofthiscontinentrfomthepoundingoftheocean.And,atlhoughtiwasslitlbut midatfernoon,Dalgardpointedtheoutirggerintothepromisedshetle,rthedipofhissteeirngpaddleswinging inharmonywiththatwieldedbySssuriinthebowoftheirnarrow,wave-irdingcratf. Thetwovoyagerswereneitherofthesameracenorofthesamespecies,yettheyworkedtogetherwtihout words,asiftheyhadestabilshedsomebondwhichgavethemarapportrtanscendingtheneedforspeech. DalgardNordiswasasonoftheColony;hiskindhadnotoirginatedonthisplanet.Hewasnotastallnoras heavliybuitlasthoseTerranoultawancestorswhohadlfedpoilitcalenemiesacrosstheGalaxytoestabilsha foothold on Astra, and there were other subtle differences between his generation and the parent stock. Thinandwiry,hisskinwasbrownrfomthegentletoastingofthesummersun,makingthefairnessofhis closelycroppedhairevenmorenoitceable.Athissidewashislongbow,carefullywrappedinwater-resistant lfying-dragonskin,andfromthebetlwhichsuppotredhisshortbreechesoftannedduocornhideswungatwo-footblade—halfwood-knfie,halfsword.TotheeyesofhisTerranforefathershewouldhavepresenteda barbaric picture. In his own mind he was amply clad and armed for the man-journey which was both his duty andhisheritagetomakebeforehetookhisplaceasafulladutlintheCouncilofFreeMen. InconrtasttoDalgard'ssmoothskin,Sssuriwascoveredwithalfuffypetlofrainbowt-ippedgrayfu.rInplace of the human's steel blade, he wore one of bone, barbed and ugly, as menacing as the spear now resting in thebottomoftheoutirgger.Andhisroundeyeswatchedtheseawiththefamiliatiryofonewhosenatural home was beneath those same waters. Themouthofthecovewasnarrow,butatfertheynegotiatedittheyfoundthemselvesinapocketofbay, shelteredandcalm,intowhichrtickledalazysrteam.Thegray-blueoftheseashoresandwasonlyafirnge beyondwhichwastufrandgreenstuff.Sssur'isnosrtlilfapsexpandedashetestedthewarmbreeze,and Dalgardwasbusycataloguingscentsastheydraggedtheircratfashore.Theycouldnothavefoundamore perfect place for a camp site. Oncethecanoewassafelybeached,Sssuirpickeduphisspearand,wtihoutawordorbackwardglance, wadedoutintothesea,disappearingintothedepths,whliehiscompanionsetabouthisshareofcamp tasks.tIwassitllealryinthesummer—tooealrytoexpecttoifndirpefruit.ButDalgardrummagedinhis voyager'sbagandbroughtoutahalf-dozencrystalbeads.Helaidtheseoutonalfatt-oppedstonebythe stream,seatinghimseflcrossl-eggedbesideit. Totheonlooketirwouldappearthatthertavelerwasmeditaitng.Awide-wingedlivingsplotchofcolorfanned byoverhead;therewasadistantyapofsound.Dalgardneitherlookednorilstened.Butperhapsaminute laterwhatheawatiedarrived.Ahoppei,rtsred-brownfursleekandgleaminginthesun,itseternalcuriostiy drawingi,tpeeredcauitouslyrfomthebushes.Dalgardmademindtouch.Thehoppersdidnotreallythink —alteastnotonthelevelswherecommunicaitonwaspossibleforthecolonists—butsensaitonsoffirendship andgoodwillcouldbebroadcas,tpirmiitveideasexchanged. Thesmallanimal,tishumanlikefrontpawhandsdangilngovertiscreamyvest,cameoutfullyintotheopen, blackeyesflickingrfomthemoitonlessDalgardtothebrightbeadsontherock.Butwhenoneotfhosepaws shotouttosnatchthetreasure,thetraveler'shandwasarleadycuppedprotectinglyoverthehoard.Dalgard formedamentalpictureandbeameditatthetwenty-inchcreaturebeforehim.Thehoppe'rsearstwtiched nervously,itsbluntnosewrinkled,andthenitboundedbackintothebrush,aweavingilneofmovinggrass markingitsrertea.t Dalgardwtihdrewhishandfromthebeads.ThroughtheyearstheAstrancolonistshadcometorecognizethe vitruesofpaitence.Perhapsthemutationhadbegunbeforetheyletftheirnativeworld.Orperhapsthe change in temperament and nature had occurred in the minds and bodies of that determined handful of refugeesastheyrestedinthefrozencoldsleepwhiletheirshipborethemthroughthewide,unchatred reachesofdeepspaceforcentuiresofTerranitme.Howlongthatsleephadlastedthesurvivorshadnever known.ButthosewhohadawakenedonAstraweredifferen.t And their sons and daughters, and the sons and daughters of two more generations were warmed by a new sun,nouirshedbyfoodgrowninailensoi,ltaughtthemindcontactbytheamphibianmermenwithwhomthe spacevoyagershadmadeanealryirfendship—eachsucceedingchildmoreattunedtothenewhome,less tied to the far-off world he had never seen or would see. The colonists were not of the same breed as their fathers,theirgrandfathers,orgreat-grandfathers.So,withothergifts,theyhadalsoavas,ttime-consuming patience,whichcouldbeaweaponoratool,astheypleased—notforgettingtheinstantaneouscalltoaciton whichwastheirolderhertiage. Thehopperreturned.Ontherockbesidetheshiningthingsitcoveted,tidroppeddiredandshirveledrfu.ti Dalgard's fingers separated two of the gleaming marbles, rolled them toward the animal, who scooped them upwithachirpofdeilgh.tButtididnolteave.Insteaditpeeredintentlyattherestofthebeads.Hoppershad theirownformoifntelligence,thoughitmightnotcomparewtihthatofhumans.Andthisonewasenterpirsing. Intheendtideilveredthreemoreloadsoffruitrfomitsburrowandtookawayallthebeads,bothpaitreswell pleased with their bargains. Sssuirsplashedoutotfheseawtihaslttileadoashehadentered.Ontheendofhisspeartwistedaifsh.His fur,slickedflattohisstronglymuscledbody,begantodryintheairandlfuffoutwhilethesunawokepirsmaitc lightsonthescaleswhichcoveredhishandsandfee.tHedispatchedthefishandcleaneditnealt,ytossing theoffalbackintothewate,rwheresomeshadowythingsarosetotearattheunusualbounty. "This is not hunting ground." His message formed in Dalgard's mind. "That finned one had no fear of me " . "Wewereirghttheninheadingnorth;thisisnewland."Dalgardgottohisfee.t Onetiherside,thecilffs,wtihtheiratlernatebandsofred,blue,yellow,andwhtiesrtata,walledinthispocket. Theywouldmakefarbetteritmekeepingtothesealanes,whereitwasnotnecessarytoclimb.Anditwas Dalgard'scheirshedplantoaddmorethanjustaninchortwototheexplorers'mapintheCouncilHall. Each of the colony males was expected to make his man-journey of discovery sometimes between his eighteenthandtwentiethyea.rHewentaloneor,fiheformedanattachmentwithoneofthemermennearhis ownage,accompaniedonlybyhisknifebrother.Andrfomknowledgesogainedthestill-smallgroupofexlies addedtoandexpandedtheiirnformationabouttheirnewhome. Cautionwasdirlledintothem.FortheywerenotthefirstmastersofAstra,norweretheythemastersnow. ThereweretheruinsletfbyThoseOthers,theracewhohadpopulatedthisplanetuntlitheirownwarshad completedtheirdownfal.lAndthemermen,withtheirtradiitonsofslaveryanddarkbeginningsinthe expeirmentalpensoftheolderrace,continuedtoinsistthatacrossthesea—ontheunknownwestern conitnent—ThoseOtherssitllheldontotheremnantsofadegenerateciviilzaiton.Thustheexplorersfrom Homeport went out by ones and twos and used the fauna of the land as a means of gathering information. Hopperscouldrememberyesterdayonlydimly,andinsitncttookcareoftomorrow.Butwhathappenedtoday spedrfomhoppertohopperandcouldwarnbymindtouchbothmermanandhuman.fIoneofthedread snake-devlisoftheinteriorwasonthehunitngtrali,thehoppersspedthewarning.Theirvastcuriositybrought themtotherfingeofanydisturbance,andtheypassedthereasonfortialong.Dalgardknewtherewerea thousandeyesathisservicewheneverhewantedthem.Therewasillttechanceofbeingtakenbysurpirse, nomatterhowdangerousthisjourneynotrhmightbe. "The city—" He formed the words in his mind even as he spoke them aloud. "How far are we from it?" Themermanhunchedhissilmshouldersintheshrugofhisrace."Threedays'rtave,lmaybefive.Andti" —thoughhisfurredfacedisplayednoreadableemoiton,thesensationofdistastewasplain—"wasoneof theaccursedones.Tosuchwehavenotreturnedsincethedaysoffallingifre—" DalgardwaswellacquaintedwiththeruinswhichlaynotmanymilesfromHomepotr.Andheknewthatthat sprawling, devastated metropolis was not taboo to the merman. But this other mysterious settlement he had recenltyheardofwasstlilshunnedbytheseapeople.OnlySssuirandafewothersofyouthfulyearswould considerajourneytoexplorethelongf-orbiddensectiontheirrtadiitonslabeledasdangerousland. The belief that he was about to venture into questionable territory had made Dalgard evasive when he reportedhisplanstotheEldersthreedaysearlie.rButsincesuchtirpswere,byrtadition,alwaysthrustsinto theunknown,theyhadnotquesitonedhimtoomuch.Allinall,Dalgardthough,twatchingSssuriflakethefirm pinkfleshfromthefish,hemightdeemhimseflluckyandthisquestordained.Hewentofftohackout armloadsofgrassandfashionthesleepmatsfotrhesun-warmedground. They had eaten and were lounging in content on the soft sand just beyond the curl of the waves when Sssuri liftedhisheadfromhisfoldedarmsasifheilstened.Likeallthoseofhisspecies,hisvesitgialearswere hidden deep in his fur and no longer served any real purpose; the mind touch served him in their stead. Dalgard caught his thought, though what had aroused his companion was too rare a thread to trouble his less acute senses. "Runners in the dark— " Dalgardfrowned."Itisstllisunitme.Whatdisturbsthem?" TotheeyeSssuriwasstillilsteningtothatwhichhisfriendcouldnothea.r "Theycomefromafa.rTheyareonthemovetofindnewhuntinggrounds." Dalgardsatup.ToeachandeveryscoutrfomHomepotrtheunusualwasawarning,asignaltoalertmind andbod.yTherunnersinthenight—thatfurredmonkeyraceofhunterswhocombedthemoonlessdarkof Astrawhenmostotfhehigherfaunawereasleep—wereverydistantlyrelatedtoSssu'irsspecies,thoughthe gapbetweenthemwasthatbetweenhighlyciviilzedmanandthejungleape.Therunnerswereharmlessand sh,ybuttheywerenotedalsoforcilngingstubbornlytoonepaitrculardistirctgeneraitonatfergeneration.To findsuchaclanonthemoveintonewterrtiorywastobefrontedwtihapuzzletimightbewelltoinvestigate. "Asnake-devil—"hesuggestedtentativel,yformingamindpictureoftheviciousreptiliandangerwhichthe colonistsrtiedtoklilonsightwheneverandwhereverencountered.Hishandwenttotheknfieathisbetl.One metwithweaponsonlythathissinghatredmoitvatedbyabrainlessferoctiywhichdidnotknowfear. ButSssurididnotacceptthatexplanaiton.Hewassttiingup,facinginlandwherethethreadofvalleymetthe cilffwal.lAndseeinghisabsorption,Dalgardaskednodisrtacitngquesitons. "No,nosnake-devli—"afterlongmomentscametheanswer.Hegottohisfeet,shufilfngthroughthesandin thecuriouslttilehalfdancewhichbetrayedhisagitationmorestronglythanhisthoughtshaddone. "The hoppers have no news," Dalgard said. Sssuirgesturedimpatientlywtihoneoutlfunghand."Dothehopperswanderfarrfomtheirownnestmounds? Somewherethere—"hepointedtotheleftandnorth,"thereistrouble,badrtouble.Tonightweshallspeak wtihtherunnersanddiscoverwhattimaybe." Dalgardglancedaboutthecampwtihregret.Buthemadenoprotestashereachedforhisbowandstirpped offtisprotectivecasing.Withthequiverofheavy-dutyarrowsslungacrosshisshoulderhewasreadytogo, followingSssuiirnland. Theeasyvalleypathendedlessthanaquarterofamilerfomthesea,andtheywerefrontedbyawallofrock withnootheroptionthantocilmb.Butthewesteirngsunmadeplaineverypossiblehandandfootholdontis surface. Whentheystoodatlastontheheightsandlookedaheadti,wasacrossabrokensrtetchofbarerockwtihthe greenofvegetationbeckoningrfomatleastamliebeyond.Sssurihestiatedforonlyamomentortwo,his round,almostfeaturelessheadturningslowly,untliheifxedonanotrheasterlycourse—srtikingoutunerringly asfihecouldarleadysightthegoa.lDalgardfellinbehind,lookingoverthecountrywithawaryeye.Thiswas justthetypeoflandtoharborlfyingdragons.Andwhliethosepestsweresmall,theirlightning-switfattack rfomabovemadethemfoesnottobedisregarded.Butallthelfyingthingshesawweretwomothbirdsof deilcatehuesengagingfaroverthesun-bakedrockinoneotfheirgracefulwingeddances. Theycrossedtheheightsandcametotheinlandslope,adroptowardthecentralinteirorplainsofthe conitnen.tAstheyplowedthroughthehighgrassesDalgardknewtheywereunderobservaiton.Hoppers watchedthem.Andoncethroughabreakinalineoftreeshesawasmallherdofduocornsraceintothe shetlerofawood.Thepresenceofthosetwo-hornedcreatures,soilkethepictureshehadseenofTerran horses,wasinsurancethatthesnake-devlisdidnothuntinthisdisrtic,tfortheswif-tfootedduocornswere neverfoundwtihinaday'sjourneyoftheirarchenemies. LateafternoonfadedintothelongsummertwilightandstillSssuirkepton.Asyettheyhadcomeacrossno tracesofThoseOthers.Herewerenoneofthedomedfarmbuildings,themonorailrtacks,theotherreilcs onecouldfindaboutHomepotr.Thiswide-openlandcouldhavebeenalwaysawilderness,lefttotheanimals ofAsrtafortheirown.Dalgardspeculatedupontha,thisbusyimaginaitonsupplyingvariousreasonsforsuch tract.Thenthevoicelesscommunicaitonofhiscompanionprovidedanexplanaiton. "This was barrier land." "What?" Sssuirturnedhishead.HisroundeyeswhichbilnkedsoseldomstaredintoDalgard'sasifbytheintenstiyof that gaze he could drive home deeper his point. "Whatliestothenotrhwasprotectedinthedaysbeforethefallingifre.EvenThose "—the distorted mermen symbolforThoseOtherswassharpenedbytheveryhartedofallSssuri'skind,whichhadnotpaledduringthe generationssincetheirescaperfomslaverytoAstra'sonet-imemasters—"couldnotventureintosomeof theirownprivateplaceswithoutspecialleave.Iitsperhapsrtuethatthectiyweareseekingisoneofthose restrictedonesandthatthiswlidernessisaboundaryfori.t" Dalgard'spaceslowed.Toventureintoasecitonoflandwhichhadbeenusedasabarriertoprotectsome secretofThoseOtherswasahighlyirskyaffair.TheifrstexpedtiionsentourftomHomepotratferthelanding oftheTerranrefugeeshiphadbeenshotdownbyrobot-conrtolledgunsstillsetagainstsomelong-dead invade.rWouldthisterritorybesoguarded?Ifsotheyhadbettergocarefullynow— Sssurisuddenlystruckoffatanangle,headingnotnotrheastnow,butdirectlynotrh.Thebrushlandsalongthe footofthecffilsgavewaytoopenfields,bareexceptforthegrassrippledbythewind.Itwasnotthetypeof counrtytoatrtactthenightrunners,andDalgardwonderedailttle.Theyshoulddiscoverwater,preferablya shallowstreamfi,theywantedtoifndwhatthemonkeycreaturesilkedbest. Wtihinaquatrer-hourheknewthatSssuirwasnotgoingwrong.Cradledinasuddendipinthelandwasthe streamDalgardhadbeenlookingfor.Ahoppeilrtfedadirppingmuzzlerfomtheshoreirpplesandstaredat them.Dalgardcontactedtheanimal.Itwasitsusualcuiroussefl,nothinghadalarmedorexctieditsinterest. Andhedidnorttytoestabilshmorethanacasualcontactastheymadetheirwaydownthebanktotheedge ofthesrteam,Sssuirsplashinginankle-deepforthesheerpleasureoffeelingilquidculrabouthisfeetand legs once more. Waterdwellerslfedfromtheirpassingandinsectsbuzzedandhovered.Otherwisetheymovedthrougha desertedwolrd.Thestreambedwidenedandsmallislandsofgravel,swepttogetherinunitdypilesbythe springlfoods,arosedrytopped,somearleadyshowingthegreenofventuresomeplants. "Here—"Sssuristopped,thrusitngthebuttofhisspearintotheshoreofonesuchisle.tHedroppedcross-leggedonhischoice,theretoremainpatienltyuntilthosehesoughtwouldcomewiththedark.Dalgard withdrewalilttewaydownstreamandtookupasimliarpost.Therunnerswereshy,noteasytoapproach.And they would come more readily if Sssuri were alone. Herethemurmurofthesrteamwasloud,irsingabovetherustleofthewind-drivengrass.Andthenightwas comingfastasthesun,hiddenbythecilffwall,sankintothesea.Dalgard,knowingthathisnightsightwasfar inferiortothatofthenaitveAsrtanfauna,resignedlysetltedhimseflforanal-lnightstay,notwithoutasecond regreftulmemoryofthesnugcampbytheshore. Twliightandthennigh.tHowlongbeforetherunnerswouldmaketheirappearance?Hecouldpickupthe sparksofthoughtwhichmarkedthecomingandgoingofhoppers,mosthurryingofftotheirmud-plastered nests,andsometimesaflickerrfomthemindofsomeothernightcreature.Oncehewassurehetouchedthe avidr,aginghungerwhichmarkedalfyingdragon,thoughtheywerenotnaturallyhuntersbydarkness. DalgardmadenomovetocontactSssur.iThemermanmustbeletfundisturbedinhismentalquestforthe runners. Thescoutlaybackonhisminiatureislandandstaredupintothesk,ytryingtosotroutallthemyriad impressionsofilfeabouthim.Itwasthenthathesawti.... AnarrowoffirestreakingacrosstheblackbowlofAsrta'snightsk.yAilghtsovivid,soailen,thatitbrought himtohisfeetwtihachllipirckleofapprehensionalonghisspine.Inallhisyearsasascoutandwoodsman, inallthestoriesofhisfellowsandhiseldersatHomeport—hehadneverseen,neverheardotfheilkeoftha!t Andthroughhisownwonderandalertalarm,hecaughtSssur'isaddedpuzzlemen.t "Danger—" The merman's verdict fed his own unease. Dangerhadcrossedthenightf,romeasttowest.Andtothewestlaywhattheyhadalwaysfeared.Whatwas going to happen now? 2 PLANETFALL RafKurb,ilfitterpilotandtechneer,layonthepaddedshockcushionofhisassignedbunkandstaredwith wide,dislilusionedeyesatthesrtetchofstark,graymetaldirecltyoverhead.Hertiedtoclosehisearstothe mutterofmeaninglesswordscomingfromacrossthenarrowcabin.Rafhadknownfromthemomenthis namehadbeendrawnascrewmemberthatthewholetirpwouldbeagamble,awlidgamblewtihtheodds allagainstthem.RS 10 —thoseverynumbersonthenoseoftheshiptoldpatrofthestor.yTenexploirng ifngersthrustinturnoutintotheblacknessofspace. RS 3 's fate was known—she had blossomed into a pinpointoflfamewithintheorbitofMars.AndRS 7 hadclearlygoneoutofcontrolwhlieinstrumentsonTerra couldslitlpickupherbroadcasts.Otfherest—well,nonehadreturned. Buttheshipswerebuli,tmannedbylotfromthetrainees,andsentout,oneeveryifveyears,wtihallthathad beenlearnedrfomthepreviousjob,eachreifnementtheengineerscoulddiscoverincorporatedintothelatest to rise from the launching cradle. RS 10 —Rafclosedhiseyeswtihwearydistaste.Aftermonthsofbeingtrappedinsideherever-vibraitng shell,hefetlthathekneweachandeveryirvet,seam,andplateinheronlytoowell.Andtherewasnoreason yettobelievethatthevoyagewouldeverend.Theywouldjustgoonandonthroughemptyspaceunitldead menmannedadrfitinghulk— There—topicturethatwasadangersignal.Wheneverhisthoughtsreachedthatparitcularpoint,Rafrtiedto think of something else, to break the chain of dismal foreboding. How? By joining in Wonstead's monologue of complaint and regret? Raf had heard the same words over and over so often that they no longer had any meaning—exceptasaseiresofsoundshemightmissifthemanwhosharedthispocketweresuddenly stirckendumb. "Should never have put in for training—" Wonstead's whine went up the scale. Thatwasunoirginalenough.Theyhadallhadthatideatheminuteatferthesorterhadpluckedtheirnamesfor
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crew inclusion. No matter what motive had led them into the stiff course of training—the fabulous pay, a real interestintheproject,theexploringfever—Rafdidnotbeilevethattherewasasinglemanwhoseheatrhad notsunkwhenhehadbeenselectedforilfgh.tEvenhe,whohaddreamedallhisilfeofthestarsandthe wonderswhichmightilejustbeyondthebigjump,hadbeenhonestlysickonthedayhehadshoulderedhis bagaboardandhadfirsttakenhisplaceonthismatandwatied,drymouthedandshiveirngf,orblas-toff. Onelostallsenseoitfmeouthere.Theyatesparingl,ysleptwhentheycould,rtiedtowhlieawaytheendless hoursartiifciallydividedintosetperiods.Butstlliweeksmightbemonths,ormonthsweeks.Theycouldhave been years in space—or only days. All they knew was the unending monotony which dragged upon a man until he either lapsed into a dreamy rejection of his surroundings, as had Hamp and Floy, or flew into murderousrages,suchaskeptMorirsinsolitaryconfinementatpresent.Andnoforeseeableendtothe flight— Rafbreathedshallowl.yTheairwasstale,hecouldalmosttaste.titIwasdfiifcutlnowtorememberbeingin theopenairunderask,ywtihrfeshwindsblowingaboutone.Hetiredtopictureonthatdullsirtpofmetal overheadastretchofgreengrass,artee,eventheblueskyandlfoaitngwhtieclouds.Butthepatchremained stubbornlygra,ythemurmurofWonsteadwentonandon,adroneinhisachingears,thethroboftheship's filebeatthroughhisownthinbod.y Whathadtibeenilkeonthoselegendaryearlylfights,whenthesecretoftheoverdirvehadnotyetbeen discovered, when any who dared the path between star and star had surrendered to sleep, perhaps to wake againgenerationslate,rperhapsnevertorouseagain?Hehadseenthefewdocumentsdiscoveredfouror ifvehundredyearsagointheraidedheadquartersofthescienfiticoultawswhohadlfedtheregimentedworld government of Pax and dared space on the single hope of surviving such a journey in cold sleep, the secret of whichhadbeenlos.tAtleast,Rafthough,ttheyhadescapedtheactualdiscomfotrofthevoyage. Hadtheyfoundtheirnewwolrdorworlds?Theendoftheirventureshadbeendebatedthousandsoftimes since those documents had been made public, after the downfall of Pax and the coming into power of the Federation of Free Men. InfacttiwasthepublicationofthepaperswhichhadgiventheaddiitonalspurtothebulidingoftheRS armada.Whatmanhaddaredoncehecoulddareanew.Andthepursutiofknowledgewhichhadbeenso longforbiddenunderPaxwasheadyexcitementforthewolrd.Researchanddiscoverybecamefeverish avenuesofendeavo.rEventhesilmhopeofasuccessfulstarvoyageandthereturntoTerrawithsuchrich spolisofinformationwasenoughtoharnessthreequartersoftheplane'tsenergyforclosetoahundred years.wasAndnotsuccesfisful,therethevoid,unlesssomenewerandmoreintriguingexperimentdevelopedtocenterpubilcimaginaitoninanother direction. Raf'seyesclosedwearli.ySoonthegongwouldsoundandthisperiodofrestwouldbeoiffciallyended.Butti washardlywotrhirsing.Hewasnotintheleasthungryfortheconcentratedfood.Hecouldrepeatthe informationtapestheycarrieddullwordfordullword. "Nothingtosee—nothingbuttheseblastedwalls!"AgainWonstead'svoicearoseinquerulousprotest. Yes,whileinoverdirvetherewasnothingtosee.Theportsoftheshipwouldbesealeduntiltheywerein normalspaceoncemore.Thatis,ifitworkedandtheywerenotcaughtupforeverwtihinthisthicktrapwhere therewasnoitme,ilght,ordistance. Thegongsounded,butRafmadenomovetoirse.HeheardWonsteadmove,sawrfomthecornerofhiseye theother'sbulkheaveupobedienltyrfomthepad. "Hey—mess gong!" He pointed out the obvious to Raf. Withasightheotherleveredhimsefluponhiselbows.Ifhedidnotmove,Wonsteadwascapableof repotringhimtothecaptainforsrtangebehavior,andtheywerealltooalettroadivagationwhichmightmean trouble.HehadnodesiretoendinconifnementwithMorirs. "'Imcoming,"Rafsaidsullenl.yButheremainedsiittngontheedgeofthepadunlitWonsteadleftthecabin, andhefollowedasslowlyashecould. Sohewasnotwtihtheotherswhenanewsoundtorethroughtheconstantvibratinghumwhichfliledthe narrowcorirdorsoftheship.Rafstiffened,theicytouchoffeartensinghismuscles.Wasthattheredalarmof disaster? Hiseyeswenttotheilghtattheendoftheshotrpassage.Butnoblinkofwarningredshownthere.Not danger—then what—? Ittookhimafullmomenttoreailzewhathehadheard,notthesignalofdoom,butthesoundwhichwasto heraldtheaccompilshmentoftheirmission—thesoundwhichunconsciouslytheyhadallgivenupanyhopeof everheairng.Theyhadmadeti! Thepliotleanedweaklyagainstthewal,landhiseyessmarted,hishandswerertembilng.Inthatmomenthe knewthathehadneverreally,honeslt,ybelievedthattheywouldsucceed.Buttheyhad!RS 10 had reached the stars! "Srtapdownforturnout—srtapdownforturnout—!"Thedisembodiedvoicescreamingthroughtheship's speecherwasthatofCaptainHobart,buttiwasalmostunrecognizablewtihemoiton.Rafturnedand stumbledbacktohiscabin,staggeredtothrowhimselfoncemoreonhispadashefumbledwiththesrtaps he must buckle over him. HeheardratherthansawWonsteadblunderintofollowhisexample,andfortheifrsttimeinmonthstheother wasdumb,notutteirngawordashestowedawayforthebreakthroughwhichshouldtakethembackinto normalspaceandthestarwolrds.Raftoreanailonafastening,muttered. "Conditionred—conditionred—Srtapdownforbreakthrough—"Hobatrchantedatthemfromthewalls. "One, two, three"—the count swung on numeral by numeral; then—"ten—Stand by—" Rafhadforgottenwhatbreakthroughwasilke.Hehadgonethroughittheifrstitmewhensitllundertake-off sedaiton.Butthiswasworsethanheremembered,somuchworse.Hetiredtoscreamouthisprotest againstthetotrurewhichtwistedmindandbod,ybuthecouldnotutterevenaweakcr.yThis,thiswas unbearable—a man could go mad or die—die—die.... Hearousedwiththelfatsweetnessofbloodonhistongue,asplittingpainbehindtheeyeshertiedtofocus onthetoofamiliarscrapofwall.Avoiceboomed,receded,andboomedagain,ifillngtheairandatlast makingsense,intiaringofwildtirumph! "Made!tiThisisit,men,we'vemadeti;So-lclasssun—threeplanets.Wel'lsetanorbtiin— " Raflickedhisilps.Itwasstliltoomuchtoswallowinonementalgulp.So,theyhadmadeti—halfoftheir venture was accomplished. They had broken out of their own solar system, made the big jump, and before themlaytheunknown.Nowtiwaswtihintheirreach. "D'youheartha,tkid?"demandedWonstead,hisvoicenolongeranaccusingwhine,moresteadythanRaf everrememberedheairngti."Wegotthrough!We'llhitdirtagain!Ditr—"hiswordstraliedawayasfihewere sinkingintosomebilssfuldaydream. Therewasadfiferentfeelingtotheshipherself.Thesteadydronewhichhadachedintheirears,theirbones, assheboredherwaythroughthealienhyper-spacehadchangedtoapurrasfishe,too,wererejoicingat thesuccessoftheirdesperatert.yFortheifrsttimeinwearyweeksRafrememberedhisownduiteswhich would begin when the RS 10 came in to a flame-cushioned landing on a new world. He was to assemble and readythesmallexplorationflye,rtomantisconrtolsandtaketiupandou.tFrowning,hebegantorunoverin his mind each step in the preparations he must make as soon as they planeted. Informationcamedownrfomconrtol,wherenowthepotrswereopenonnormalspaceandtheengineswere underconrtolofthespace'rspliot.Theirgoalwastobethethirdplanet,onewhichshowedsignsof atmosphere,ofwaterandearthreadyandwaiitng. Thosewhowerenotonflightdutycrowdedintotheitnycentralcabin,wheretheyelbowedeachotherbefore theviewe.rTheballofalieneatrhgrewrfomapinpointtothesizeofanorange.Theyforgottimeinthe wonderwhichnonehadeverthoughtinhishearthewouldseeonthescreen.Rafknewthaitncontrolevery secondofthiswasbeingrecordedastheybegantoestablishabrakingorbti,whichwtihluckwouldbring themdownonthesufraceotfhenewwolrd. "Ciites—thosemustbecities!"Thoseinthecabinstudiedtheplatewithaweastheinformaitonflitered throughthecrew.Lable,ttheirxenobiologist,satwithhisifngersirgidonthelowerbarofthevisaplate,so intentthatnothingcouldbreakhisvigil,whlietherestspeculatedwildly.Hadtheyreallyseencities? Rafwentdownthecorirdortothedoorofthesealedcompatrmentthatheldthemachineandthesuppliesfor whichhewasresponsible.Theselasthoursofwaitingwereworsewtihtheirnaggingsuspensethanallthe timewhichhadgonebefore.fItheycouldonlysetdown! Hehad,ontrainingirtpswhichnowseemedveryfarinthepast,trodtherust-reddesetrcountryofMars, waddledinabulkyprotecitvesuitacrossthepeakedrangesofthedeadMoon,knownsomethingofthe largerasteroids.Buthowwoulditfeeltotreadgroundwarmedbytheraysofanothersun?Imaginaitonwith whichhissupeirorsdidnotcredtihimbegantosit.rTratisinheirtedrfomamixtureofracesweretheretobe summoned.Rafrerteatedoncemoreintohiscabinandsatonhisbunkpad,staringdownathisowncapable mechanic'shandswtihoutseeingthem,picturinginsteadallthewonderswhichmightliejustbeyondthenext fewhours'imprisonmentinthismetallicshellhehadgrowntohatewithadullbutabidingharted. AtlhoughheknewthatHobatrmustbefullyaseagerasanyofthemtoland,itseemedtoRaf,andtheother impatientcrewmemberst,hattheywereverylonginenteirngtheatmosphereofthechosenworld.tIwasonly whentheordercametosrtapdownfordeceleraitonthattheywereinameasuresatisifed.Pullofgravity,ship beaminginatananglewhichswepttifromnighttodayornightagainasitencircledthatunknownglobe. Theycouldnotwatchtheirobjecitveanylonger.Thefuturedependedenitrelyupontheskillotfhethreemenin control—andlastofalluponHoba'trsjudgmentandskill. Thecaptainbroughtthemdown,irdingthelfamingcounter-blastsfromtheship'stailtosetheronherifnsin an expert point landing, so that the RS 10 wasafingeroflightintothesk,yamidwispsofsmokerfombrush igntiedbyherlanding. Therewasanotherwatiwhichseemedendlesstotheresltessmenwithin,awaituntiltheairwasanalyzed, thecountrysidesurveyed.Butwhenthego-aheadsignalwasgivenandtherampswungou,tthosefirstatthe hatch still hesitated for an instant or so, though the way before them was open. Beyondtheburntgroundabouttheshipwasarollingplaincoveredwithtallgrasswhichirppledunderthe wind.Andtherfeshnessofthatwindcleansedtheirlungsotfhetaintotfheship. Rafpulledoffhishelmet,heldhisheadhighinthatbreeze.Itwasilkebathinginai,rwashingawaythesmog ofthoselongdaysoifmprisonment.Herandowntheramp,pastthelittlegroupofthosewhohadpreceded him,andfellonhiskneesinthegrass,catchingatitwtihhishands,altilteover-awedatthewonderofita.ll The wide sweep of sky above them was not entirely blue, he noted. There was the faintest suggestion of green,andacrossitmovedcloudsofsliver.Bu,tsavefotrhegrass,theymightbeinadeadandemptywolrd. Whereweretheciites?Orhadthosebeenbornoifmaginaiton? After a while, when the wonder of this landing had somewhat worn away, Hobart summoned them back to the prosaicbusinessofseittngupbase.AndRafwenttoworkathisowntask.Thesealedstoreroomwas opened,thesuppilesslungbycranedownfromtheship.Thecompactassembl,ysrteamilnedforthis purpose, was all ready for the morrow. Theyspentthenightwtihintheship,muchagainsttheirw.lliAtferthetasteoffreedomtheyhadbeengiven, thecrampedinteirorweigheduponthem,closingilkeapirson.Raflayonhispadunabletosleep.tIseemed tohimthathecouldhea,reventhroughtheheavyplates,thesighofthatrerfeshingwind,thecalloftheopen world lying ready for them. Step by step in his mind, he went through the process for which he would be responsiblethenextday.Theuncraitngofthesmallflye,rtheassemblingofrfameandmotor.Andsomeitme in the midst of that survey he did fall asleep, so deeply that Wonstead had to shake him awake in the morning. He bolted his food and was out at his job before it was far past dawn. But eager as he was to get to work, he paused just to look at the earth scuffed up by his boots, to stare for a long moment at a stalk of tough grass andrememberwithathirllwhichneverlessenedthatthiswasnotnaitveeatrhorgrass,thathestoodwhere noneofhisrace,orevenofhiskind,hadstoodbefore—onanewplaneitnanewsolarsystem. Ra'fsexpetrrtainingandinsrtucitonpaidoff.Byeveninghehadtheflitterassembledsaveforthemotorwhich stlilreposedontheturningblock.Onepartyhadgonequesitngoutintothegrassandreturnedwiththestory ofasrteamhiddeninagashintheplain,andWonsteadcarriedthelimpbodyofarabb-tisizedfurred creature he had knocked over at the waterside. "Actedtame."Wonsteadwasproudofhiski.ll"StupidthingjuststoodandwatchedmewhlieIletflywtiha stone." Rafpickedupthelittlebody.tIsfurwasred-brown,plush-thick,andverysofttothetouch.Thebreastwas creamywhiteandtheforepawscuirouslyshortwithanuncannyresemblancetohisownhands.Suddenlyhe wishedthatWonsteadhadnotkilledit,thoughhesupposedthatChou,theirbiologist,wouldbegratefu.lBut theanimallookedparticulalrydefenseless.Itwouldhavebeenbetternottomarktheirifrstdayonthisnew wolrdwtihakliilng—eveniftiweretheknockingoverofastupidrabbtithing.ThepliotwasgladwhenChou boreitoffandhenolongerhadtolookaitt. ItwasaftertheeveningmealthatRafwascalledintoconsutlationbytheofifcerstoreceivehisorders.When hereportedthattheilftter,barirngunexpectedaccidents,wouldbeair-bornebythefollowingafternoon,he wasshownanenlargedpicturefromtherecordsmadeduirngthedescentoftheRS 10 . Therewasacity,irghtenough—showingupwellrfomtheai.rHobartstabbedafingerdownintotheheartofi.t "Thisilessouthfromhere.Wel'lcruiseinthatdirection." Rafwouldhaveilkedtoasksomequesitonsofhisown.Thectiyphotographedwasasizableone.Whythen thisdesetredlandhere?Whyhadn'ttheinhabitantsbeenouttoinvestigatethepuzzleofthespaceship's landing?Hesaidslowl,y"'Ivemountedonegun,sir.Doyouwanttheotherinstalled?Itwillmeanthatthefttiler can only carry three instead of four—" Hobatrpulledhislowerilpbetweenhisthumbandforeifnge.rHeglancedathislieutenantthentoLable,t sittingquieltytoonesideI.twasthelatterwhospokefirs.t "I'dsaythisshowsdefinitertacesofretrogression."Hetouchedthephotograph."Theplacemayevenbeonly a ruin." "Verywell.Leaveofftheothergun,"Hobatrorderedcirspl.y"Andbereadytoflyatdawndayaftertomorrow wtihfullfieldkit.You'resureshel'lhaveatleastathousand-mliecruisingradius?" Raf suppressed a shrug. How could you tell what any machine would do under new conditions? The tilf ter had beenputthrougheverypossibletestinhishomewolrd.Whethershewouldpefrormasperfecltyherewas another matter. "Theythoughtshewould,sir,"herepiled."Ill'takeherupforashakedownruntomorrowatferthemotoris installed. " CaptainHobatrdismissedhimwtihanod,andRafwasgladtoclatterdownladdersintothecoolofthe eveningoncemore.Flyinghighinaformaitonoftwolanesweresomedistantbirds,atleasthesupposed theywerebirds.Buthedidnotcallattentiontothem.Insteadhewatchedthemoutofsight,ilngeirngalone withnodesiretojointhosecrewmemberswhohadbutliacampfirealittledistancerfomtheship.Thelfames werefamiilarandcheerful,apotrion,somehow,oftheirnaitveworldtransportedtothenew. Rafcouldhearthemurmurofvoices.Butheturnedandwenttothefttile.rTakinghishandtorch,hechecked theworkhehaddoneduringtheday.To-morrow—tomorrowhecouldtakeherupintotheblue-greensk,y circleoutovetrheseaofgrassforashotrtesitngflight.Thatmuchhewantedtodo. Butthethoughtofthecruisesouth,ofventuringtowardthatsprawilngsplotchHobartandLabletidentfiiedas acitywassomehowdistasteful,andhewasreluctanttothinkaboutti. 3 SNAKE-DEVIL'S TRAIL Dalgarddrewthewaterproofcoveringbackoverhisbrow,makingacheefruljobof,tipreparatorytotheir pushingouttoseaoncemore.ButhewasasintentuponwhatSssurihadtotellashewasonhisoccupation otfhemomen.t "Butthatisnotevenahopperrumor,"hewasprotesting,breakingintohiscompanion'sflowofthough.t "No.But,remember,totherunnersyesterdayisveryfaraway.Onenightisilkeanother;theydonotreckon itmeaswedo,norlayupmemoiresforfutureguidance.Theylefttheirnativehunitnggroundsandaredrfiitng south.Andonlyaverygreatpeirlwouldleadtherunnersintosuchabreak.Itisagainstalltheirinsitncts!" "So, long ago—which may be months, weeks, or just days—there came death out of the sea, and those who livedpastitscominglfed—"DalgardrepeatedthescantyinformationSssurihadwonforthemthenight beforebypatienthourl-ongcoaxing."Whatkindofdeath?" Sssu'irsgreateyes,somberandattilletired,methis."Tousthereisonlyonekindofdeathtobegreatly feared." "Buttherearethesnake-devlis—"protestedthecolonyscout. "To be hunted down by snake-devils is death, yes. But it is a quick death, a death which can come to any livingthingthatisnotswitforwaryenough.Fortothesnake-devilsallthingsthatilveandmovearemerely meattoiflltheachingptiintheirswollenbeliles.Buttherewereintheolddaysotherdeaths,farworsethan whatonemeetsunderasnake-devil'sclawsandfangs.Andthosearethedeathswefea.r"Hewasrunning thesmoothhaftofhisspearbackandfotrhthroughhisfingersasfitestingthebalanceoftheweapon becausetheitmewasnotfarawaywhenhemustrelyuponit. "ThoseOthers!"Dalgardshapedthewordswtihhisilpsaswellasinhismind. "Justso."Sssuirdidnotnod,buthisthoughtwasincompleteagreemen.t "Yet they have not come before—not since the ship of my fathers landed here," Dalgard protested, not againstSssur'isjudgmentbutagainstthewholeidea. The merman got to his feet, sweeping his arm to indicate not only the cove where they now sheltered but the conitnentbehindit. "Oncetheyheldallthis.Thentheywarredandkliled,unitlbutahandfullayincovertoilcktheirwoundsand wati.Ithasbeenmanythreesofseasonssincetheyleftthatcover.Butnowtheycomeagain—toloottheir placeofsecrets—Perhapsintheitmepasttheyhaveforgottenmuchsothatnowtheymustrenewtheir knowledge. " Dalgardstowedthebowinthebottomoftheouirtgger."Ithinkwehadbettergoandsee,"hecommented, "sothatwemayreporttrueitdingstoourElders—somethingmorethanrumorslearnedfromnightrunners." "Thaitsso" . Theypaddledouttoseaandturnedtheprowofthelightcraftnotrh.Thecharacterofthelanddidnotchange. Cliffsstillwalledthecoast,insomeplacesirsingsheerrfomthewater,inothersbrokenbyafootingofcoarse beach.Onlylfyingthingsweretobesightedovetrheirrockycrowns. But by midday there was an abrupt alteration in the scene. A wide river cut through the heights and gave birth toafan-shapeddetlathicklycoveredwtihvegetaiton.Haflhiddenbytheriotofgrowingthingswasabuliding ofthedomeshapeDalgardknewsowell.Itswindowless,doolresssurfacereflectedthesunlightwithaglassy sheen, and to casual inspection it was as untouched as it had been on the day its masters had either died withintiolretfftiorthelasttime,perhapscenturiesbefore. "Thisisonewayintotheforbiddencity,"Sssuriannounced."Oncetheystaitonedguardshere." Dalgardhadbeenabouttosuggestacloserinspecitonofthedomebutthatremarkmadehimhestiate.Ifit hadbeenoneofthefoifitrcationsrimminginaforbiddenground,therewasmorethananevenchancethat unwaryinvaders,eventhislongafter,mightstumbleintosomertapsitllworkingautomaitcall.y "Dowegoupriver?"HelefttitoSssuri,whohadthertadiitonsofhispeopletoguidehim,tomakethe decision. Themermanlookedatthedome;tiwasevidentfromhisatittudethathehadnowishtoexamineitmore closel.y"Theyhadmachineswhichfoughtforthem,andsometimesthosemachinesstillfight.Thisriveristhe naturalentranceforanenem.yThereforetiwouldhavebeenwelldefended." Underthesunthegreenreachofthedetlahadamostpeacefulappearance.Therewasafamilyofduck-dogsfishingfromthebeach,scoopingtheirbroadblilsintothemudtolocatewaterworms.Andmothbirds dancedintheaircurrentsoverhead.YetDalgardwasreadytoagreewtihhiscompanion—bewaretheeasy way.Theydippedtheirpaddlesdeepandcutacrosstherivercurrenttowardthecliffstothenorth. Twodaysofsteadycoastwisertaveilngbroughtthemtoagreatbay.AndDalgardgaspedasthefullsightof thepotrconrfontingthemburstintoview. Tiersofledgeshadbeencutandblastedinthenaitverock,extendingfromtheseabackintothelandina seriesofgiantsteps.Eachofthemwascoveredwtihbuildings,andheretheancientwarhadlefttismark. Therockitselfhadbeenbroughttoabubblingboliandsenitnnow-rfozenriversdownthatstairwayinahalf-dozenplaces,overwhelmingallsrtucturesinitspath,andleavingcrystallizedsrteamstorelfectthesun blindingly. "So this is your secret city!" ButSssurishookhisroundhead."Thisisbuttheseaentrancetothecountr,y"hecorrected."Herestruckthe dayoiffre,andweneednotfeatrhemachineswhichdoubtlesslieinwaitelsewhere." Theybeachedtheoutriggerandhidtiintheshellofoneoftheruinedbulidingsonthelowestleve.lDalgard sent out a questing thought, hoping to contact a hopper or even a duck-dog. But seemingly the ruins were bareofanimallife,aswasrtueinmostoftheothertownsandcitieshehadexploredinthepast.Thefaunaof AstrawasshyofanyholdingbulitbyThoseOthers,nomatterhowlongtimayhavebeenletftothewind,and cleansing rain. Withdiiffcutlyanddetourstoavoidtheriversofonce-motlenrock,theymadetheirwayslowlyrfomledgeto ledgeupthatgian'tsstaircase,notstoppingtoexploreanyotfhebulidingsastheypassed.Therewasataint ofalienageaboutthectiywhichrepelledDalgard,andhewaseagertogetoutofitintothecleancounrtyside oncemore.Sssuirspedonsilentfee,thisshouldershunched,hisdistasteforthestructurestobereadin everylineofhissupplebod.y Whentheyreachedthetop,Dalgardturnedtogazedowntotheresltesssea.Whataprospect!Perhaps ThoseOthershadbulitthusforreasonsofdefense,butsurelythe,ytoo,musthavepausednowandthentobe proudofsuchafeat.tIwasthemositmpressivesitehehadyetseen,andhisreportofitwouldbeawotrhy addition to the Homeport records. Aroadransrtaightfromthetopofthestair,stabbinginlandwtihouttakinganynoticeofthedififcutliesofthe terrain,atfertheusualarrogantmanneroftheailenengineers.ButSssurididnotfollowit.Insteadhestruckoff totheletf,avoidingthateasypath,choosingtocrossthroughtangleswhichhadoncebeengardensor throughopenifelds. Theywerewelloutofthesightofthecitybeforetheylfushedtheirfirsthopper,aful-lgrownadultwithoddly palefu.rInsteadofdisplayingtheusualfearlessinterestinsrtangers,theanimaltookoneswfitlookatthem andlfedasfiasnake-devilhadsnotredattisthumpingheels.AndDalgardreceivedasharpimpressionof terror,asfithehoppersawinhimsomeirfghteningmenace. "What—?"Honestlyastounded,helookedtoSssuriforenlightenmen.t The hoppers could be pests. They stole any small bright object which aroused their interest. But they could alsobepersuadedtotrade,andtheyusuallyhadnofearofetihercolonistormerman. Sssuri's furred face might not convey much emotion, but by all the signs Dalgard could read he knew that the mermanwasasstatrledashebythesrtangebehaviorofthegrassdwelle.r "Heisarfaidofthosewhowalkerectaswedo,"hemadeanswe.r Those who walk erect —Dalgard was quick to interpret that. He knew that Those Others were biped, quasi-human in form, closer in physical appearance to the colonists than to the mermen. And since none of Dalgard's people had penetrated this far to the north, nor had the mermeninvadedthistabootertiroryunitlSssuirhadagreedtocome,thatletfonlytheailens.Thosestrange peoplewhomthecolonistsfearedwtihoutknowingwhytheyfearedthem,whomthemermenhatedwtiha hartedwhichhadnotlessenedwtihtheyearsofrfeedom.Thefaintrumorcarriedbythemigratingrunners mustbertue,forherewasahopperarfaidofbipeds.Anditmusthavebeenrecenltyprovidedwtihareason forsuchfear,sincehoppers'memorieswereveryshotrandsuchterrorwouldhavefadedfromitsmindina matterofweeks. Sssuirhaltedinapatchofgrasswhichreachedtohiswaistbetl."Iitsbesttowaitunitlthehoursofdark." ButDalgardcouldnotagree."Betterforyouwtihyournightsigh,t"heobjected,"butIdonothaveyoureyesin my head." Sssurihadtoadmtithejusitceoftha.tHecouldrtavelunderthemoonlessskyassuref-ootedasunderbroad sunilgh.tButtoguideablunderingDalgardthroughunknowncountrywasnotpracitcal.However,theycould taketocoverandthattheydidasspeedliyaspossible,usingazigzagtacitcwhichdelayedtheiradvancebut tookthemfromonebitofprotecitngbrushorgroveofrteestothenex,tkeepingtothefieldswellawayrfom the road. Theycampedthatnightwtihoutifreinapocketnearaspirng.AndwhlieDalgardwasaletrtoallaboutthem, heknewthatSssuirwasmindquestinginafarwidercircle,tryingtocontactahopper,arunner,anyanimal thatcouldanswerinparttheinquiirestheyhad.WhenDalgardcouldnolongerholdopenwearyeyes,hislast wakingmemorywasthatofhiscompanionsttiingstatue-stlil,hisspearacrosshisknees,hisheadleaninga tirlfeforwardasifwhatheilstenedtowasasvocalasthehumofnightinsects. Whenthecolonyscoutrousedinthemorning,hiscompanionwassrtetchedfulllengthontheothersideofthe spring, but his head came up as Dalgard moved. "Wemaygoforwardwithoutfea,r"heshapedtheassurance."Whathastroubledthislandhasgone." "A long time ago?" DalgardwasnotsurpirsedatSssuir'snegativeanswer."Wtihindaysthey have been here. But they have goneoncemore.Itwillbewiseforustolearnwhattheywantedhere." "Havetheycometoestabilshabasehereoncemore?"Dalgardbroughtintotheopentheonethreatwhich hadhungoverhisownclansincetheyifrstlearnedthatafewofThoseOthersstilllived—evenfioverseas. "Ifthatistheirlanthehavenotetdoneit."Sssurirolledoveronhisbackandsrtetched.Hehadlostthat