Plague Ship Andre Norton (book recommendations website .TXT) đ
- Author: Andre Norton
Book online «Plague Ship Andre Norton (book recommendations website .TXT) đ». Author Andre Norton
That question was answered almost as it flashed into Daneâs mind. But no Salariki lordling came through the door. Daneâs self-control kept him in his place, even after he caught the meaning of the insignia emblazoned across the newcomerâs tunic. Traderâ âand not only a Trader but a Company man! But whyâ âand how? The Companies only went after big gameâ âthis was a planet thrown open to Free Traders, the independents of the star lanes. By law and right no Company man had any place here. Unlessâ âbehind a face Dane strove to keep as impassive as Vanâs his thoughts raced. Traxt Cam as a Free Trader had bid for the right to exploit Sargol when its sole exportable product was deemed to be perfumeâ âa small, unimportant trade as far as the Companies were concerned. And then the Koros stones had been found and the importance of Sargol must have boomed as far as the big boys could see. They probably knew of Traxt Camâs death as soon as the Patrol report on Limbo had been sent to Headquarters. The Companies all maintained their private information and espionage services. And, with Traxt Cam dead without an heir, they had seen their chance and moved in. Only, Daneâs teeth set firmly, they didnât have the ghost of a chance now. Legally there was only one Trader on Sargol and that was the Solar Queen, Captain Jellico had his records signed by the Patrol to prove that. And all this Inter-Solar man would do now was to bow out and try poaching elsewhere.
But the I-S man appeared to be in no haste to follow that only possible course. He was seating himself with arrogant dignity on that unoccupied stool, and a younger man in I-S uniform was putting before him the same type of equipment Dane had produced for Van Rycke. The Cargo-master of the Solar Queen showed no surprise, if the Eysiesâ appearance had been such to him.
One of the younger warriors in Paftâs train got to his feet and brought his hands together with a clap which echoed across the silent gathering with the force of an archaic solid projectal shot. A Salarik, wearing the rich dress of the upper ranks, but also the collar forced upon a captive taken in combat, came into the enclosure carrying a jug in both hands. Preceded by Paftâs son he made the rounds of the assembly pouring a purple liquid from his jug into the goblet before each chieftain, a goblet which Paftâs heirs tasted ceremoniously before it was presented to the visiting clan leader. When they paused before Van Rycke the Salarik nobleman touched the side of the plasta flask in token. It was recognized that off-world men must be cautious over the sampling of local products and that when they joined in the Taking of the First Cup of Peace, they did so symbolically.
Paft raised his cup, his gesture copied by everyone around the circle. In the harsh tongue of his race he repeated a formula so archaic that few of the Salariki could now translate the singsong words. They drank and the meeting was formally opened.
But it was an elderly Salarik seated to the right of Halfer, a man who wore no claw knife and whose dusky yellow cloak and sash made a subdued note amid the splendor of his fellows, who spoke first, using the click-clack of the Trade Lingo his nation had learned from Cam.
âUnder the white,â he pointed to the shield aloft, âwe assemble to hear many things. But now come two tongues to speak where once there was but one father of a clan. Tell us, outlanders, which of you must we now hark to in truth?â He looked from Van Rycke to the I-S representative.
The Cargo-master from the Queen did not reply. He stared across the circle at the Company man. Dane waited eagerly. What was the I-S going to say to that?
But the fellow did have an answer, ready and waiting. âIt is true, fathers of clans, that here are two voices, where by right and custom there should only be one. But this is a matter which can be decided between us. Give us leave to withdraw from your sight and speak privately together. Then he who returns to you will be the true voice and there shall be no more divisionâ ââ
It was Paft who broke in before Halferâs spokesman could reply.
âIt would have been better to have spoken together before you came to us. Go then until the shadow of the shield is not, then return hither and speak truly. We do not wait upon the pleasure of outlandersâ ââ
A murmur approved that tart comment. âUntil the shadow of the shield is not.â They had until noon. Van Rycke arose and Dane gathered up his chiefâs possessions. With the same superiority to his surroundings he had shown upon entering, the Cargo-master left the enclosure, the Eysies following. But they were away from the clearing, out upon the road back to the Queen before the two from the Company caught up with them.
âCaptain Grange will see you right awayâ ââ the Eysie Cargo-master was beginning when Van Rycke met him with a quelling stare.
âIf you poachers have anything to sayâ âyou say it at the Queen and to Captain Jellico,â he stated flatly and started on.
Above his tight tunic collar the otherâs face flushed, his teeth flashed as he caught his lower lip between them as if to forcibly restrain an answer he longed to make. For a second he hesitated and then he vanished down a side path with his assistant. Van Rycke had gone a quarter of the distance back to the ship before he spoke.
âI thought it was too easy,â he muttered. âNow weâre in for itâ âmaybe right up the rockets! By the Spiked Tail of Exol, this is certainly not our lucky day!â He quickened pace until they were close
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