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moved back up the ladder, his awkward-looking body agile as a monkey.
    â€œWake your fuzzy little fanatic.” The Captain moved his long body around to face the native.
    The lighter gravity of this world fooled Aleytys again as she attempted to follow his example. Her heavy-world muscles overreacting, she caught herself at the edge of an undignified sprawl.
    â€œDrieu Dylaw.”
    â€œYes, woman?”
    â€œThe weapons are ready. The Captain is anxious to leave before the city spies find him. I suppose you’d like to get out, too.” As the drieu started to stand, she said quickly, “However, there’s another thing. My service to the Captain concludes here and we part company.”
    â€œWhy tell me?”
    â€œName a price for supplying a kaffa and a guide to take me to the sea.”
    A sudden fierce anger exploded from the stiffening figure of the drieu. Then he was on his feet, turning to leave, unable to be in her presence any longer without destroying his honor by breaking trade truce.
    In the shadow of the wall, young Gwynnor’s eyes stayed fixed on her with a growing fascination despite the fear which was turning his body cold.
    The kaffa stirred nervously.
    The gray lizard poked his head out of the crack, scuttled in a tight circle, eyes jerking from side to side. A moment later he plunged back into his hiding place.
    The wind sang down the canyon with an eery mourning note, a dirge portending fateful events.
    â€œA price, drieu Dylaw. More guns, more darts to fill them.” Her voice sang in his ears, whispering temptation.
    A small dust devil broke over the drieu’s feet, showering desiccated leaves and other debris on his legs, breaking his mood. He shuddered and turned to face her, hating her all the more because he knew he couldn’t refuse.
    â€œI will not take you.” His voice was harsh and abrupt.
    â€œI don’t expect that. You have your people to care for.”
    â€œBut I’ll ask those.” He swung a hand at the squatting figures. “If one will do it, then we can bargain. If not …”
    Aleytys looked over scowling faces alike in their ingrained xenophobia. Then she focused on one face, a young face twisted in the most malignant scowl of all. She reached out. Touched the turmoil boiling in him. Snatched the probe back. Reeled under the impact of his confusion. The drieu stared at her, then turned his back on her.
    â€œIf one among you would take this—this person to the sea, our cause would benefit greatly. They have offered additional guns and darts to pay for this service.” Aleytys could see the long muscles of his neck tighten, then loosen. “Is any willing?”
    Gwynnor ran the tip of his tongue over his lips as he fought the pull of the starwitch. He … he must … he must … no! He almost shouted the words, but clamped his lips over the impulse to speak, swallowing the soaring words, afraid to answer, afraid to acknowledge her influence in any way. But the pull strengthened. She reached out touching him tickling gently along his nerves whispering comecomecome … until, his feet scraping heavily over the sand-littered stone, he stepped forward. “I …” His voice cracked. He cleared his throat and spat, grudging briefly the expenditure of his body’s moisture here in this desert. “I’ll do it.” He forced himself to meet Dylaw’s incredulous eyes, drawing back his narrow shoulders in a mockery of stiff pride while his anger beat futilely at invisible seals. “Let the weapons be my gift to the cause.” The words were proud also, but he felt hollow inside, knowing that the woman had laid a spell on his soul.
    â€œSo be it. Come, Musician, sit beside me till we find what your sacrifice can buy us.”

Chapter II
    The ship rode an ascending whine into the sky, melting after a few moments into the sterile blue. Southwest, a winding dark line marked the