Uhura's Song by Janet Kagan

Author:Janet Kagan [Kagan, Janet]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780671547301
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 1985-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

The dawn sky had an ominous overcast as the party assembled for departure. Spears aslant, bright packs tied to their backs, equally bright improvised sashes to hold their knives in easy reach, they looked like a handful of children hard at make-believe, Kirk thought. We, he corrected; his own sash and spear made him feel like a pirate chieftain. Dignity seemed impossible under the circumstances but, striving for a certain gravity, he called them to order. Brightspot and Jinx snapped to attention with the rest. They're following our "customs," he thought. That may simplify things. "At ease, people," he said aloud. "Brightspot, Jinx, since you know the way to Sretalles, suppose you begin by giving us directions."

Brightspot said, "Mr. Chekov has a-what did you call it?"

"A mep," said Chekov.

"Mep," she repeated dutifully.

"What's this, Mr. Chekov? I thought these people didn't use maps?"

Chekov pulled another brightly colored swatch of cloth from his sash. "They don't ordinarily, sair. I think Distant Smoke inwented the idea for us. And I don't know how accurate it will be."

He unrolled the fabric. It looked more like a work of art than a conventional map, but Kirk could recognize stylized rivers and lakes and well-traveled trails. Here and there were tiny, delicate drawings of plants and what seemed to be water droplets. Chekov indicated one of these last, explaining, "Thet means we will smell water in the air -"

"At least, Jinx and Brightspot will," Kirk said ruefully.

Chekov nodded, went on, "And he traced us two routes, Keptain. This one is easy but, he says, tekes twelve days...."

"And the other?"

"Five, sair, but he warns us it is more dengerous." They all considered the map as Chekov traced first one, then the other.

"Time is what we have the least of, Mr. Chekov," said Kirk.

Jinx and Brightspot stared at the map, still trying to grasp its basic concept. At last, Jinx touched the fabric with a single extended claw. "Sretalles!" she said in sudden comprehension. She retraced the route Chekov had shown them. "I understand!"

"Do you know this route, Jinx?"

She nodded and the fur at the back of her neck rose.

"What would you advise?" he asked.

She fixed her copper-colored eyes on him. "Both ways have killed...." She could not complete the phrase. After a long moment, she said, "Time kills those who wait for your people, does it not? I choose the short route. I...know it well. Perhaps my misfortune will be of some advantage."

"Are we agreed?" The rest nodded, and Kirk continued, "Is there a ceremony for leave-taking, Jinx?" No one had come out to see them off. But for a few wisps of smoke above the tents, the camp would have seemed deserted.

"We go. Nothing more."

"No goodbyes?" said Kirk, surprised.

Jinx said, "They hope only for hellos in Sretalles."

"So do I, Jinx," said Kirk fervently, "So do I. Well, let's see how far we can get before we have to contend with the rain as well, shall we? Jinx, since you know the territory, you and I will take point.

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