surprise; raiders would have no patience with irksome restrictions.
A scatter of men stood on the road leading to town, mostly young, all wearing leather bright with protective metal, the plates shaped and gemmed to individual taste. Martial garb accentuated by the weapons belted to their waists. Loungers killing time, curious as to what the ship had carried. One stepped forward to bar his path.
'You a trader?'
'Of a kind.' Dumarest was patient. The man was young, bored, certainly a fool, but the gun he wore made him dangerous. 'Could you direct me to the hotel?'
'What are you carrying?'
'Personal baggage.' Dumarest eased the strap of the satchel and slipped it from his shoulder. 'It's heavy and I'd appreciate a hand. Is it far to the hotel?'
'The Kaldari aren't servants,' snapped the youngster. 'What are you hiding?' He glanced at his companions as if to make certain he had an audience then, as Dumarest ignored the question, said, 'There's something wrong here. That satchel looks too heavy. A genuine trader would have got a ganni to carry it. Or it could have been delivered to the warehouse. Open it up. I want to check what's inside.'
Dumarest said, 'You want to check it? Go ahead.'
He stepped forward, the satchel swinging in his hand, flying free to thud on the dirt where the other had been standing. As he sprang aside, cursing, snatching at his gun, Dumarest closed the distance between them, the fingers of his left hand clamping on flesh, the weapon it held, pressing it deep into its ornate holster. His right hand rose between them to lock fingers on the other's throat, the tips of fingers and thumb digging into the tender places beneath the ears to rest on the carotid arteries. An action masked by their bodies from those watching.
One of them called, 'Hey, Nigel, you getting set to dance?'
Another, more shrewd, said, 'I think he's bitten off more than he can chew.'
And was stuck with it. To struggle was to be rendered senseless, disarmed, left sprawled on the dirt. To back down would brand him a coward. The only real choice was to fight and, if he lost, at least it would be with honor.
Dumarest said, 'We can end this. Just back away and leave me your gun.'
'I can't. The shame -'
'You'd rather be dead?' His fingers tightened, applying pressure which, if increased, would cause unconsciousness and, if maintained, death. 'Just give me your word. We break, then laugh and talk a little. You pickup the satchel and carry it to the hotel.'
A way out for the young man but he hesitated too long. Those watching, sensing something more serious than they had thought, moved closer, eager to settle the dispute. They would form a ring, insist on physical combat, watch the bloody outcome. Dumarest would have no choice but to kill.
'Earl!' Zehava broke the impasse. 'What are you doing?' Her tone changed. 'Nigel? What's going on?'
'Zehava!' Relief gusted from his throat as Dumarest lowered his hand. 'We heard you were dead. How -'
'Never mind that now. I see you've met my friend. Earl, meet Nigel Myer. I knew his sister. Nigel, this is Earl Dumarest.' Dryly, she added, 'I'm sure you'll get along. Why don't you guide him to the hotel?'
It was large, clean, luxurious. The bath, made of striated marble, was ringed with ornate decoration and held him like a cupped hand. Relaxing in steaming water Dumarest closed his eyes and let the warm comfort ease him into a state of drifting introspection as he assessed what he had learned. Nigel had been eager to volunteer information in order to make amends. A young man who had tried to gain a cheap reputation and had almost lost his life. The hand at his throat, the face close to his own, had left him in no doubt as to that.
He would talk and to save his own reputation would enhance Dumarest's prowess. A beginning – on Kaldar a man made his mark or was held in small regard. A world of too many rulers and headed to a predictable end. Kings, princes, politicians, those who demanded taxes or tributes of any kind and by any name were parasites living on the effort of others. When their greed and numbers grew too large they would ruin the host which supported them.
'Earl!' Dumarest woke to a pounding at the door, Zehava fuming at her failure to open it. 'Earl, let me in!'
'A moment!'
He rose from the water, taking his time drying and dressing himself. The bedroom was large as was the bed with its ornate decoration and richly embroidered cover. Tall windows gave a view of the plaza below and filled the chamber with mellow light. Zehava came to a halt before them.
'There was no need for you to have bolted the door. You're safe here.'
'As I was when leaving the field?'
'Nigel's a fool.' Irritably she shook her head. 'Forget him. Pour me a drink.'
She had brought a bottle with her and he opened it and poured lambent fluid into small glasses engraved with intricate decoration. Handing her one he lifted the other in the gesture of a toast.
'To luck, Zehava! All of it good!'
The pungent spirit filled his mouth with smoke and fire, turning into a sweet tartness as it slid down his throat to blossom into a flower of comfort as it reached his stomach.
'Peedham,' she said, watching his reaction. 'It's made from peedham. A herb which grows in the hills. You like it?'
'It's unusual.' Dumarest took another sip, wondering why she had brought it, guessing at its probable effect. An aphrodisiac, perhaps, certainly a strong neural depressant. One which would erode caution, bring euphoria, and make the drinker less than wise. 'Did you enjoy your reunion?'
'What do you mean?'
'I saw you head for the ship. The one which raided Arpagus. I recognized it. Toibin's vessel. Nigel told me his name.' He added, 'He also told me about his sister.'
'She died.' Zehava helped herself to more from the bottle. 'Eight years ago now. On a raid she shouldn't have touched. She was my idol. I worshipped her. Loved her. Well, never mind, she's gone now.' She emptied the glass at a swallow as if in salute to a tender ghost. Coughing, she dragged air into her lungs. 'To hell with it. The past is dead. What made you tangle with Nigel, anyway?'
'He wanted to demonstrate how tough he is. To get himself known so as to gain a place with your friend. I promised to speak to you about it. Get you to use your influence.'
'What influence?' She was bitter. 'Lesse Toibin goes his own way and takes only the best. With his reputation he can pick and choose.'
'So your visit was just a matter of business.' Her glass was empty and Dumarest refilled it, watching as, more cautiously, she drank. 'To talk over what happened and to get his explanation as to why he abandoned you. Was it a good one?'
'I didn't see him,' she admitted. 'He's visiting a friend in the hills. He'll be back after the auction. We came in with the last of the dealers,' she explained. 'After the viewing we'll get down to business and sell the loot.'
'What about Toibin?'
'Damn Toibin. Why keep talking about him?'
'Everyone thinks he's a hero. He made a successful raid and only lost two people. One now that you're returned to take the blame.'
'Blame?'
'You selected the cargo,' reminded Dumarest. 'You assessed its value. If it brings a small return you won't be popular. You, not Toibin, he's the kind of hero you people love. He's done nothing wrong. He only abandoned you. Snatched what was to hand and ran like a scared rat. He didn't even check on his own men. All he wanted was to save his own skin.'
'You can't say that!'
'Why not?' Dumarest shrugged. 'I was there. I saw it. He had time and enough to spare. He could have waited for you. He could have sent out a search party. He must have known you'd be close to the towers. He could have guessed that you might be hurt. Comrades are supposed to look after each other. Did he you? My guess he wanted to dump you. Even if we hadn't met I doubt if you would have reached the ship. Maybe he wanted to save your share. Or maybe he's just grown tired of you.' A shrewd guess and he saw the sudden tightening of her jaw. 'You see what I'm getting at?'
'I see what you're trying to do.' Zehava lifted her glass then paused with it barely touching her lips. Over the
