switches an instant before the streamer landed with a bone-jarring thump.
'Sorry,' Ogram said. 'Guess I could use a little more work on that, too.'
Paul released a breath, drew another. His heart hammered.
'Anyway, we're here.' Ogram swiveled around and pressed the bar to open the hatchcover. The outside environment sensors went to work while Ogram tapped his fingers impatiently on the arm of 64
William Greenleaj CLARION 65
his chair. A moment later the hatchcover lifted with a pneumatic hiss. Two men waited outside near the edge of the clearing. Ogram unsnapped his harness, ducked out through the hatchway and trotted down the short ramp. He stopped at the bottom and turned back to Paul and Borland.
'Coming?'
Paul looked at Dorland, waiting. Doriand stared at him; then something in his face softened a little and he offered a weary grin.
'Sorry about all this. You shouldn't have come.' Paul didn't know what to say. In truth, he was beginning to feel the same way.
Dorland fumbled with his harness and got it loose with Paul's help; then the two of them went down the ramp to join Ogram. The ground underfoot was spongy. The air was cool on Paul's sweaty face and neck, and carried a pleasant outdoor scent.
One of the men stepped forward and tilted his head at Dorland. 'Is that him?'
The voice didn't match the appearance. Paul looked closer and realized that the person who had spoken was a young woman with short hair. She wore dark coveralls like Ogram's. A belt pouch hung from her waist, cinched with dark cord.
'Dorland Avery,' Ogram said by way of introduction. 'This is Karyn DiMemmo. She—'
'I remember,' Dorland said. A brief smile touched his lips, and he held his hand out at waist level, palm down. 'You were this high when I saw you last. How are your parents?'
'They're both dead.'
The smile faded. 'I'm sorry . . .' Her dark eyes remained on him a moment longer; then she looked at Paul. 'Who's he?' Ogram answered: 'He works for Dorland—'
'You were supposed to bring Dorland. Nobody else.'
'Dorland wouldn't come without him. Sabastian said not to bring him unless he agreed to come willingly.'
The girl clearly wasn't pleased with Paul's presence. Beside her stood a thin, feral-looking man with a mane of black hair shot with gray. There was a generally unkempt, straggling look about him. He wore bulky coveralls like the others, but carried a knapsack instead of a belt pouch. He grinned up at Paul, showing teeth that were stained and broken.
'Let's get this over with,' Paul said. 'Dorland and I want to get back home.'
'This is Dorland's home,' the girl said.
'Sabastian is waiting.' She turned to lead the way into the trees.
Chapter Six
OGRAM WATCHED THE GIRL STALK. AWAY. 'MY, aren't we in a sour mood today.'
The thin man spoke for the first time. 'Elder Jacowicz had three people strung up on the wall today.'
The humor went out ofOgram's face. 'Let's go,' he muttered, and turned to follow the girl up the wooded slope.
Paul and Dorland fell into step behind him.
'What wall is he talking about?' Paul asked.
