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Updated: June 29, 2025
Van Rycke settled down with a grunt of satisfaction. It was plain that the Free Traders were numbered among the nobility. They could be sure of good trade in the days to come. Delegations from neighboring clans arrived in close companies of ten or twelve and were granted seats, as had been the Terrans, in groups. Dane noted that there was no intermingling of clan with clan.
Because their ship is not going to lift from Sargol just because she has no legal right here." "There's this point," Van Rycke added to the lecture. "The Eysies are trading or want to trade perfumes. But they stock only manufactured products, exotic stuff, but synthetic." He took from his belt pouch two tiny boxes.
Van Rycke shook his head. "This is our headache. Patience, my boy, patience " He led the way through a thin screen of the grass on the other side of the scorched landing field to a well-packed earth road. Again Dane felt eyes, knew that they were being watched. But no Salarik stepped out of concealment. At least they had nothing to fear in the way of attack.
"Under the white," he pointed to the shield aloft, "we assemble to hear many things. But now come two tongues to speak where once there was but one father of a clan. Tell us, outlanders, which of you must we now hark to in truth?" He looked from Van Rycke to the I-S representative. The Cargo-master from the Queen did not reply. He stared across the circle at the Company man. Dane waited eagerly.
At any rate Groft had made it very plain that he chose these men and Dane knew that the Queen's officers would raise no objection which might upset the delicate balance of favorable relations. Van Rycke did ask for one concession which was reluctantly granted. He received permission for the spacer's men to carry their sleep rods.
"Yes?" the Queen's Cargo-master prompted politely. But Kallee had taken his Captain's arm and was urging Grange away from the spacer. "You have until noon to lift," was Jellico's parting shot as the three in Company livery started toward the road. "I don't think that they will," he added to Van Rycke. The Cargo-master nodded. "You wouldn't in their place," he pointed out reasonably.
Evening had come to Sargol but the scene immediately below was not in darkness. Blazing torches advanced in lines from the grass forest and the portable flood light of the spacer added to the general glare, turning night into noonday. Van Rycke and Jellico sat on stools facing at least five of the seven major chieftains with whom they had conferred to no purpose earlier.
An action which was not overlooked by either Dane or Ali. "A smooth set down to you," Jellico gave the conventional leave taking of the Service. "You'd better " the Eysie Captain began hotly, and then seeing the disc Van Rycke held that sensitive bit of metal and plastic which was recording this interview for future reference, he shut his mouth tight.
Dane swallowed three or four times and hoped that his superior officer had not noticed that sign of discomfort. Though Van Rycke, in spite of his general air of sleepy benevolence and careless goodwill, noticed everything, no matter how trivial, which might have a bearing on the delicate negotiations of Galactic Trade.
The Eysie had not had any last minute instruction in the use of Sargolian weapons he had practiced and, by his stance, knew enough to make him a formidable menace. The clamor about the Queen's party rose as the battle-wise eyes of the clansmen noted that and the odds against Jellico reached fantastic heights while the hearts of his crew sank. Only Van Rycke was not disturbed.
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