Trader to The Stars by Poul Anderson
Author:Poul Anderson [Anderson, Poul]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: Sci-Fi., Science Fiction
Publisher: Berkeley Medallion
Published: 1966-09-21T00:00:00+00:00
As she walked into the circle around which stood the swart outlines of the tents, Joyce must push her way through females and young. Their ring closed behind her, and she saw fireglow reflected from their eyes and knew she was hemmed in. It was comforting to have Van Rijnâs buk so near and Uulobuâs pad-pad at her back.
Thin comfort, though, when she looked at the males who waited by the ammonia spring. They had gathered as soon as they saw the humans coming. To her vision they were one shadow, like the night behind them. The fires on either side, that made it almost like day for a tâKelan, hardly lit the front rank for her. Now and then a flame jumped high in the wind, or sparks went showering, or the, dull glow on the smoke was thrown toward the group.
Then she saw a barbed obsidian spearhead, a horn sword, an ax or an iron dagger, drawn. The forest soughed beyond, the camp and she heard the frightened bawling of iziru as they blundered around in the dark. Her mouth went dry.
The fathers of the prides stood in the forefront. Most were fairly young; old age was not common in the desert.
Nyaronga seemed to have primacy on that account. He stood, spear in hand, fangs showing Lâ1 the half-open jaws, tendrils astir. His kilt fluttered in the unrestful air.
Van Rijn came to a halt before him. Joyce made herself stand close and meet Nyarongaâs gaze. Uulobu crouched at her feet. A murmur like the sigh before a storm went through the warriors.
But the Earthman waited imperturbable, until at last Nyaronga must break the silence. âWhy did you challenge the sun? No sky-one has ever done so before.â
Joyce translated, a hurried mumble. Van Rijn puffed himself up visibly, even in his suit. âTell him,â he said, âI came just a short time ago. Tell him the rest of you did not think it was worth your whiles to make defiance, but I did.â
âWhat do you intend to do?â she begged. âA misstep could get us killed.â
âTrue. But if we donât make any steps, we get killed for sure, or starve to death because we donât dare come in radio range of where the rescue ship will be. Not so?â He patted her hand. âDamn these gloves! This WQuld be more fun without. But in all kinds of cases, you trust me, Joyce. Nicholas Van Rijn has not got old and fat on a hundred rough planets, if he was not smart enough to outlive everybody else. Right? Exact. So tell whatever I say to them, and use a sharp tone. Not unforgivable insults, but be snotty, hokay?â
She gulped. âYes. I donât know why, b-but I will let you take the lead. If-â She suppressed fear and turned to the waitmg tâKelans. âThis sky-male with me is not one of my own party,â she told them. âHe is of my race, but from a more powerful people among them than my people.
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