'This other,' the woman had only nodded curtly in answer to the Zacathan, as if she had already dismissed him from her mind and all dealings with him were completed. Now she was looking at Taynad. 'This other was also brought here for a purpose—but one differing from your case, Learned One. Therefore, she is not to be judged as you—'
Jofre stirred. He had had little time to do more than acquaint Zurzal with the news that the Jewelbright was issha and that her mission was aborted with the fall of the Holder. Now he saw her head come up and she met the Tssekian woman eye to eye, almost in direct challenge.
'Why did you come—plaything?' There was scathing contempt in that last word. But Taynad showed no sign that any sting of that reached her.
'It seemed that the Horde Commander Sopt s'Qu had some thought of pleasing his overlord,' she returned calmly. 'Thus I was included in this plan.'
The Tssekian scowled. 'Sopt s'Qu is dead,' she said flatly. 'The one he served will be held to face the wrath of the people. What should be done with you?'
Jofre tensed but Taynad spoke before he could make any protest.
'The man with whom I made my bargain is dead; the man for whom that bargain was made will be otherwise occupied. My reason for visiting Tssek has ceased to exist.'
The Tssekian woman continued to measure the Jewelbright and there was nothing soft in that harsh stare.
'Your kind are without value,' she almost spat the words. 'We want no taint of you in our lives. Since you had no time to work any true mischief here, we shall send you off-world with these others.'
'That is your right,' conceded Taynad, 'nor have I any wish to remain here.'
'You brought with you gauds—'
'To which you are now entitled,' Taynad interrupted. 'Since such were of the Horde Commander's gift and so belong to Tssek. I do not ask for any accounting of them.'
'Well for you!' The woman was determined not to be bettered in their subtle struggle. 'So, off-worlder,' she now looked to the Patrol captain, 'these are now your responsibility. Let them return to their own places, we need nothing of them. The Council meets tomorrow; we shall be speaking with you again concerning regulations for off- worlders—some of those will be changed.'
She stood up, adjusted a fraction the swing of her weapon slung across her shoulder, and moved towards the door without another word or look.
'Well, it seems it is all decided,' the port commander said briskly as the two Tssekians disappeared. 'There is no reason, Captain, why these three must be retained to answer questions now—or at least I cannot imagine any. According to the wishes of this planet's people the sooner they are gone the better. There is the courier attached to the port service which is due to lift for Wayright. Quarters may be a little cramped,' he spoke now to Zurzal, 'but the courier service is fast and there is no other ship due for some time. In fact the local disturbances here may be a warn-off for freighters in company service. They will want to be sure the new regime is well rooted before they start negotiations again.'
The Patrol captain was frowning.
'Learned One, I intend to send a full report of this whole matter to headquarters. This is very close to interference with planetary affairs, and, if proven, that can keep you safely out of space wandering. You, Gentlefem,' he said more slowly, 'were also undoubtedly intended to interfere with matters as they stood. That you did not have a chance to do so was merely fortune. I shall recommend that you be returned to your Asborgan and not permitted off that world again.'
She did not answer him but the Zacathan did. 'Send your report, Captain. You will be following the proper procedure. But know this, I shall also offer an explanation of what was done against my will; also I intend to speak for this gentlefem who was legally hired by the laws of her own world, brought to Tssek and then, not only dismissed from service but deprived of the payment promised her. She dealt in good faith and therefore cannot be held responsible for what another deems she might have done— a very unsure assumption.
'For the present I consider her as one of my party and ask that she accompany us to Wayright without prejudice. You cannot condemn anyone for a crime which was not committed and perhaps never would have been except as you speculate.'
The port commander was nodding in time to the last words. 'He has the right of it. Submit your report, Captain, and I shall also submit mine. The Tssekians find no fault with these people; instead they freely admit that the Learned One was kidnapped. That his machine worked in part, even aided what they had planned to do, for it betrayed the fact that the Holder had been a traitor to his predecessor. I can believe that such glimpses into the pasts of all of us might turn up some unpleasant and dangerous decisions and events. However, it is the Learned One's desire to use his scanner only in the field of archeology— to present a past so far removed that its summoning will have no effect on the modern day.'
'It is wrong—' the captain exploded.
'As you see it. But let us leave such judgments to the higher authorities. What happened on Tssek was a forced use of what might be a very important thing. Now,' he spoke once more to the Zacathan, 'you will leave with the courier and I promise you as quick a trip as possible. I cannot assure you there will be no questions raised when you reach Wayright—but that will be your concern.'
'We shall be most pleased—' Zurzal said. His neck frill, which had shown some traces of color and a tendency to flutter at the edges, now lay peacefully at rest.
When they had time to themselves the Zacathan spoke to Taynad. 'Since they have deprived you of your wardrobe and other necessities of travel, allow me to make up that loss at least in part.'
'You are very generous, Learned One.' Her answer came in a colorless voice. The Jat had hunted her out and now cuddled against her. 'I cannot promise any repayment. In the eyes of those I return to I may be considered one who has failed.'
'Death cancels an oath!' Jofre broke in. 'Sopt s'Qu is dead. And the Holder will soon be, judging by the attitude of these Tssekians we have just seen. Also—were you oathed directly to him or to his subordinate?'
