Earth is Heaven

children would give her. The power and prestige she hoped to gain by the practice of esoteric arts.

Urich was a good choice. Old enough to present no problems should he sire sons; he would be past all dynastic ambitions, eager to gain the security Vruya had mentioned, the rewards he had emphasized again and again.

A bribe dangled before a second possible choice?

Gain to be won in blood?

Dumarest said, 'We've wasted enough time. The ship has got to be made ready to leave.'

'We?' Ysanne pursed her lips. 'I'm not so sure about-' She saw his expression and broke off to add, 'Andre's working at it. He's trying to find an engineer.'

In a tavern shrouded in gloom at a table now used as a desk. The man facing him was small, thin, with furtive eyes. The hand which held his beaker was stained, one finger missing from the second joint.

'I can handle an engine,' he insisted. 'I rode with Captain Breece and he used to operate near the Rift. An old ship which needed nursing every inch of the way.'

Batrun said, 'The Brannhan Rift?'

'That's right. I quit maybe a year ago. Fell sick and tried my hand at fishing for a while. The Shendorh left without me and I haven't seen her since. If you know the Rift you can guess why.'

'But you know your trade. Papers?'

The man shook his head. 'Lost when I fell into the water. That's when I got this.' He held up his damaged hand. 'But I can do the job.'

'If you don't you'll breathe vacuum.' In the dim light of the tavern Batrun's hair shone with a soft, silver luminosity, but there was no mistaking the harsh determination of his face. He looked up to where Ysanne and Dumarest stood behind him. 'What do you think?'

'It's up to you, Andre.' Batrun was the captain and needed to maintain his pride. 'Right, Earl?'

'No question as to that,' said Dumarest. 'But the Erce's a free trader and we all have a stake in what's decided.' To the man he said, 'Can you handle a Belmonte gauge?'

'Sure.'

'And a Vicks-Conway vernier?' As the man hesitated Dumarest said, 'Lie again and that's the last drink you'll ever taste. There's no such thing as a Belmonte gauge. Beat it!'

Batrun sighed as the man obeyed. 'He was the last of the bunch, Earl. As useless as the rest of them but he helped to advertise our interest.'

And had been desperate enough to take a chance on a bluff. One which could have killed them all had he got away with it. Dumarest took a seat and looked up as a girl set down a flagon and thin glasses.

'A gift, sir,' she said before he could question. 'From the gentleman over there.'

It was Vosper and he came toward them, smiling.

'Drink,' he said. 'Celebrate. I bring good news.'

'Such as?'

'A proposition.' The entrepreneur lowered his bulk into a chair and busied himself with the flagon. 'To you, my dear. And you, Captain. Earl!' He lifted his own glass. 'To health!'

Dumarest said, 'What is the proposition?'

'Money in hand to pay the cost of repairs. Good, eh?'

'So far. And?'

Vosper drank some of his wine, turning the glass so as to study the color, pursing his lips as if to savor the taste. He was taking his time, enjoying the moment.

Dumarest said patiently, 'You were saying?'

'Nothing, but I was thinking of how appreciative you might be. Unless the repairs are paid you will lose your vessel, right?'

'So?'

'It seems you are in my debt, Earl. And you must acknowledge that.'

'Yesterday that would have been true,' admitted Dumarest. 'Today it is not This afternoon I took wine with the head of the Yekatania. Vruya-you may have heard of him.' He set down his untouched wine. 'I am also friendly with Eunice-again she is of the Yekatania. I was able to do her a small service. You may have heard of it.' Rising he said, 'A pity you came too late.'

'Wait!' Vosper caught Dumarest by the arm. 'I-damn it, man, you can't blame me for trying! At least hear what I have to offer.'

'You mentioned money.'

'Enough to pay all repair bills. The pressure will be off and you-' Vosper broke off, shaking his head. 'An opportunity,' he mourned. 'A golden opportunity. One lost because we can't agree on a trifle of commission. Did I mention the repair money was just an advance?'

'In return for what?'

'I can't tell you that. Not here. But you're interested? I'm not wasting my time?'

Dumarest said, 'Come to the Erce in an hour-and bring who you're working for with you.'

He came cloaked and muffled to stand in the vestibule beyond the lock as Dumarest made it fast. Vosper, looking anxious, said, 'I don't think we were seen, Earl, but if we were?'

'You came with Ysanne and stayed to talk. Your friend can be hidden.' Dumarest looked at the cloaked figure. 'Do I know you?'

'No. We are strangers.'

'But we've met before. When the Nairn left-you were at the edge of the field. Am I to know your name?' Then, as the man hesitated, he added, 'I told you before-the next time we spoke I would see your face. Now be open or leave!'

'I am Leo Belkner.' The cloak opened and swung back over the man's shoulders. 'As you see I am of the Ypsheim.'

'So?'

'It seems I must tell you exactly what that means.'

He explained in the salon, seated at the table, Vosper at his side. The entrepreneur, uneasy, gave added emphasis to his words.

'We are captives,' he said. 'I use the word in its truest sense. Not slaves or victims of war but a people held in bondage, who now have a special place in the social structure of Krantz. You may already have gained some idea as to what that place is.'

Servants-Dumarest remembered Vruya's casual dismissal of the deaths of two of them. And yet they seemed to have freedom of movement. The underprivileged? The despised?

Belkner said, 'It happened a long time ago. When the Ypsheim came to Krantz they came as beggars, bringing nothing and needing all. In return for aid, succor and sanctuary they promised servitude. The Quelen, too occupied with their feuds and strife, were glad to be freed of the bulk of essential labor. So the bargain, was agreed and sealed by both parties of that time. In return for labor the Quelen gave food, homes, care, the protection of law and the benefit of an established society. As payment the Ypsheim made a contract of debt. Until that debt has been paid we cannot leave this planet.'

'So pay it,' said Ysanne. 'And be free.'

'It isn't as simple as that.' Vosper cleared his throat. 'Accumulated interest has made the total debt astronomical. Even split it's far too much for any individual to pay.'

'So leave anyway.' Ysanne added, meaningfully, 'There's more than one way to settle a debt.'

As the Quelen must know. Dumarest leaned back, thinking, remembering the faces of the Ypsheim. Placid for the most part. Calm. For generations they had been trained to serve-what chance would they have against those steeled in conflict?

To Belkner he said, 'You can't get permission to leave and you'd be slaughtered if you tried to rebel. So you are willing to meet our repair bill in return for giving you transportation away from Krantz. Correct?'

'Yes.'

Batrun said, 'It can't be done. There are too many of you.'