"Well, there's that, too," Musa admitted, "but I'm interested in some of
the merchandise I've seen."
"There's profit in it," agreed Ladro. "How long have you been trading
around Norlar?"
"This is my first trip. I'm from Karth, in the Galankar."
"You mean you were never in Norlar before?" Min-ta joined the
conversation.
Musa shook his head. "I left Karth for the purpose of trading east of
the Great Sea."
"Unusual," mused Min-ta. "Most traders work between Tanagor and the
mainland for several years before they try the Sea."
"Yes," added Ladro, "and some never go out. They satisfy themselves with
the channel trade." He pointed. "We're getting out to the open sea now,
past the reef."
The ship drew away from the island kingdom, setting its course toward
the vague horizon. The day wore on, to be replaced by the extreme
blackness of night. Then, the sky lit up again, heralding another day.
The ship's company had settled to sea routine, and the traders roamed
about their portion of the deck, talking sometimes, or napping in the
sun. Musa leaned over the low rail, watching the water, and admiring the
clear, blue swells.
He raised his head as the door of the forward cabins opened. A priest,
followed by a group of slaves, went up to the raised forecastle. Under
the priest's direction, the slaves busied themselves putting up a high,
crimson and yellow curtain across the foredeck. They completed their
task and went below.
Again, the door opened, and a procession, headed by the chief priest,
slowly mounted the ladder to the forecastle. Each of the three priests
was followed by his slave, who bore a crimson casket. The curtain closed
behind them, then the slaves came out and ranged themselves across the
deck, facing aft.
"I wonder," said Musa, turning to Ladro, "what ritual they are
performing."
Ladro shook his head. "The less a man knows of the activities of the
priests, the better he fares," he declared. "Truly, on a great ship,
curiosity is a deadly vice."
Musa nodded to the stern. "I see that one of the priests is not at the
bow."
"That is right. One priest always remains by the steersman, to ward off
the spells of the sea demons." Ladro paused, pointing overside. "See,"
he said in a pleased tone, "here is an envoy from Kondaro."
* * * * *
Musa's gaze followed the pointing finger. A huge fish was cruising
alongside, gliding effortlessly through the waves, and occasionally
leaping into the air.
"An envoy?"
"Yes. So long as a kontar follows a ship, fair weather and smooth
sailing may be expected. They are sent by Kondaro as guardians for
those ships he especially favors."
At a call from the priest in the stern, two sailors appeared, carrying
chunks of meat. As the priest chanted, they tossed these overside. The
great fish rose from the water, catching one of the chunks as it fell,
then dropped back, and the water frothed whitely as he retrieved the
other. He gulped the meat, then swam contentedly, still pacing the ship.
"Suppose someone fell overboard?" Musa gazed at the kontar in
fascination.
Ladro and Min-ta exchanged glances.
"If one is favored by the Great One," replied Min-ta slowly, "it is
believed that the kontar would guard him from harm. Otherwise, the
sacrifice would be accepted."
Musa looked at the clear water, then glanced back to the spot of foam
which drew astern.
"I don't believe I'll try any swimming from the ship." He backed
slightly from the rail, glancing quickly at Ladro and Min-ta, then
looking away again.
He suddenly realized that he had exceeded his quota of questions, and
that he could get into trouble. He had noted that most of the ship's
company appeared to know the other traders aboard, even though some of
them hadn't been to sea before. Min-ta and Ladro were obviously well
acquainted with several of the ship's officers. But he, Musa, was a
stranger.
He had already observed that the priesthood of Kondaro was not averse to
a quick profit, and that they placed a low value on the lives and
possessions of others. He had dealt with tribes ashore, who had the
simple, savage ethic:
"He is a stranger? Kill him! Take his goods, and kill him."
Ashore, he had protected himself during his many trips by consorting
with other traders of good reputation, and by hiring guards. But here?
He remembered the remarks made by Kerunar back in Manotro.
"When I face the thief or the bandit, I prefer to have a weapon in my
hand."
Slowly, he collected himself, and looked back at Ladro and Min-ta.
"If you gentlemen will excuse me," he apologized, "I have some accounts
to cast, so I believe I'll go to my quarters." He turned and went below.
As he disappeared down the ladder, Ladro turned to his companion.
"Of course," he said thoughtfully, "if all goes well, this man will be
most favored. But if the Great One shows signs of displeasure--"
Min-ta nodded. "Yes," he agreed, "I have heard of strangers who excited
the wrath of Kondaro." His eyes narrowed speculatively. "Those of the
faithful who keep watch on such unfavored beings are rewarded by the
priests, I am told."
Ladro nodded. "I believe that is correct," he agreed. "We should be
watchful for impiety in any event." He stretched. "Well, I think I shall
take a short nap before dinner."
Below, the traders' quarters were cramped. There was a small, common
space, with a table, over which hung the single light. About the
bulkheads were curtained recesses, sufficiently large for a bunk and
with barely enough space for the occupant to stand. Musa closed the
curtains, and sat down on his bunk.
Of course, he had no proof. There was no really logical sequence to
prove that the situation was dangerous. There was no evidence that his
fellow voyagers were other than honorable, well-intentioned men. But he
simply didn't feel right. He pulled his wooden chest from under the
bunk, opened it, and looked through the small store of personal effects.
There was no weapon. The law of Kondaro forbade the carrying of those by
other than the priests and their slaves. His attention was attracted by
a glitter, and he picked up the small amulet he had bought from the
peddler in Norlar. Slowly, he turned it in his hands.
It was an unusual ornament, strangely wrought. He had never seen such
fine, regular detail, even in the best handicraft. As he looked closer,
he could not see how it could have been accomplished with any of the
instruments he was familiar with, yet it must have been hand made,
unless it were actually of supernatural origin.
He remembered the urgent seriousness of the peddler's attitude, and he
could recall some of his words. The man had spoken almost convincingly
of powerful protectors, and Musa could foresee the need of such. He
found himself speaking.
"Oh, power that rests in this amulet," he said, "if there is any truth
in the peddler's words, I--" He paused, his usual, hard, common sense
taking over.
"I'm being silly!" He drew his hand back to throw the ornament into the
chest. Then, he felt himself stopped. An irresistible compulsion seized
him, and he dazedly secured the amulet about his neck. Feeling sick and
weak, he tucked it into his garments. Then, still moving in a daze, he
left the cabin and returned to the deck. He did not so much as try to
resist the sudden desire.
The breeze made him feel a little better, but he was still shaken, and
his head ached violently. Little snatches of undefined memory tried to
creep into his consciousness, but he couldn't quite bring them into
focus. He turned toward the rail, and saw Min-ta still there.
"Well," commented the easterner, "your accounts didn't take long."
Musa smiled wanly. "It was stuffy down there. I felt I had to come up
for some air."
Min-ta nodded. "It does get close in the quarters during the day." He
pointed alongside.
"We are favored still," he said. "Another kontar has joined us."
Two of the great fish paced the ship, gliding and leaping effortlessly
from wave to wave. Musa watched them.
"We must be favored indeed."
"Yes." Min-ta smiled. "May our favor last."
Musa's head still ached, and the glints of the sun reflected from the
water made it worse. He looked aft, to the faint line where sky met
water. There was a low line of clouds. His gaze traveled along the
horizon, and he noted that the clouds seemed a little darker forward.
Still, he felt uneasy, and alone.
* * * * *
_"See what I meant?"_
_"Ooh! Yeah. Yeah, I see. What a backlash that was! I've got the
grandfather of all headaches, and I won't be able to think straight for
a week. Wonder how Musa feels--But I got results, anyway."_
_"Yes. You got results. So did I once, when I tried something similar.
But I'll live a long time before I try it again. How about you?"_
_"Don't worry. Next time I try to exert direct mental control on another
entity, this planet'll have space travel. Wonder if some klordon
tablets'll help any."_
_"Might. Try one, then let's get busy and scatter a few more
communicators around that ship. Be more practical than beating our
brains out."_
* * * * *
As the days passed, Musa became familiar with the shipboard routine and
lost some of his early uneasiness regarding his traveling companions. He
became acquainted with other traders, finding them to be average men,
engaged in the same trade as himself. He talked to members of the ship's
company, and found them to be normal men, who worked at their trade in a
competent manner. Only the four priests held aloof. Ignoring officers,
sailors, and traders alike, they spoke only to their slaves, who passed
their comments to the ship's company.
On the morning of the tenth day, Musa came to the deck, to find the sea
rougher than usual. Waves rose, scattering their white plumes for the
wind to scatter. Ahead, dark clouds hid the sky, and occasional spray
came aboard, spattering the deck and the passengers.
Just outside the cabin entrance, a small knot of traders were gathered.
As Musa came out, they separated.
Musa went over to the rail, looking overside at the waves. The two
kontars were not in sight. He looked about, noting the sailors, who
hurried about the deck and into the rigging, securing their ship for
foul weather. Close by, Ladro and Min-ta were talking.
"It is quite possible," said Ladro, "that someone aboard has broken a
law of the great Kondaro, and the kontars have gone to report the sin."
He glanced at Musa calculatingly.
"Yes," agreed Min-ta, "we--"
An officer, hurrying along the deck, stopped. "All passengers will have
to go below," he said. "We're in for bad weather, and don't want to lose
anyone overboard."
"Could this be the wrath of Kondaro?" asked Ladro.