Jack of Eagles by James Blish

Author:James Blish
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Sff
ISBN: 9780575104051
Publisher: Arrow
Published: 1973-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

11. Gigi Snaps The Chains

NOT LONG did Kenton have to wait. Hardly hadthe next faint hum of the sleep horn died than he felta touch on his shoulder. Longer fingers twitched hisears, raised his eyelids. He looked into the face of Gigi.Kenton pulled out the little silken cylinders that shutoff the compelling slumber of the horn.

“So that is how you do it.” Gigi examined them with interest. He squatted down beside him.

“Wolf,” he said, “I have come to have a talk withyou, so that you may know me a little better. I wouldcontinue to sit here beside you, but some of those cursedpriests may come prowling around. Therefore, in a moment I shall seat myself on Zachel’s stool. When I havedone so, turn you around facing me, taking that highly deceptive attitude I have so often watched you assume.” He stepped up on the bench. “Zubran is with Klaneth,arguing about the gods. Zubran, although sworn to Nergal,thinks him a rather inferior copy of Ahriman, the Persiangod of darkness. He is also convinced that this wholematter of warfare between Nergal and Ishtar for theship lacks not only originality and ingenuity, but taste-something, indeed, that his own gods and goddesses wouldnot do; or if they did, would do much better. This angers Klaneth, which greatly rejoices Zubran.” Once more he arose and looked about him.

“However,” he went on, “this time he is arguing tokeep Klaneth and especially Zachel away while we talk,since Klaneth leans a great deal upon Zachel in thesearguments. I have told them that I cannot bear their talk and that I will watch on Zachel’s seat until it is finished. And it will not be finished until I return, for Zubran is clever, oh, very clever and he expects ourtalk to lead, ultimately, to permanent relief of his bore-He glanced slyly at the ivory deck.

“So do not fear, Wolf.” He swayed upon his dwarfedlegs. “Only as I go, slip sideways and keep your eyeson me. I will give you warning if warning is needed.” He waddled away, climbed into the overseer’s seat. Kenton, obeying him, turned sleepily; rested arm on benchand head on arm.

“Wolf,” said Gigi suddenly, “is there a shrub calledthe chilquor in the place from whence you came?” Kenton stared at him, struck dumb by such a question.Yet Gigi must have some reason for asking it. Had heever heard of such a shrub? He searched his memory.

“Its leaves are about so large.” Gigi parted finger-tips for inches three. “It grows only upon the edge of thedesert and it is rare-sorrowfully rare. Look you-per-haps you know it by another name. Perhaps this will enlighten you. You bruise the buds just before they open.Then you mix them with sesamum oil and honey and alittle burned ivory and spread it like a paste over yourhead. Then you rub and rub and rub-so and so andso-” he illustrated vigorously upon his bald and shining pate.

“And after a little,” he said, “the hair begins to sprout; like grain under the rains of spring it grows, until soon-lo-naked dome is covered.

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