The Players Page 5

take andwhat to leave behind. Fortunately, Musa discovered as he talked to thispriest, he had picked very nearly as good a selection as he could wish.

  During the days that followed, Musa made more votive offerings,practiced the rites ordered by the priest, and watched his goods as theywere delivered to the _Bordeklu_, a ship belonging to Maladro, belovedof Kondaro, a shipowner whose ships were permitted by the sea god andhis priests to sail the Eastern Sea.

  At last, the day arrived when Musa himself boarded the ship and set sailpast the headland of Norlar.

  * * * * *

  As the ship was warped out of the harbor, Musa took stock of his fellowpassengers. Among them were a slender, handsome man named Ladro, who hadbeen on many previous voyages to the land of the East, and Min-ta, anative of the eastern continent, who was returning from a trading voyageto Norlar. There were several others, but they kept to themselves,seeming to radiate an aura of exclusiveness. Ladro and Min-ta on theother hand, were more approachable.

  _Surely_, thought Musa, _these two can teach me a great deal of the landI am to visit, if they will_.

  He walked over to the rail, where the two stood, looking out over theshoreline. The ship was coming abreast of the great temple of Kondaro.

  "It's the most prominent landmark on the island, isn't it?" Musacommented.

  "What?" Ladro turned, looking at him curiously. "Oh, yes," he said, "thetemple. Yes, it's the last thing you see as you leave, and the firstwhen you return." He paused, examining Musa. "This is your first trip?"

  "Yes, it is. I've always traded ashore before this."

  "But you finally decided to visit Kneuros?"

  "Yes. I've dealt with a few traders who had goods from there, and theirstories interested me."

  Ladro smiled. "Romance of the far places?"

  "Well, there's that, too," Musa admitted, "but I'm interested in some ofthe merchandise I've seen."

  "There's profit in it," agreed Ladro. "How long have you been tradingaround Norlar?"

  "This is my first trip. I'm from Karth, in the Galankar."

  "You mean you were never in Norlar before?" Min-ta joined theconversation.

  Musa shook his head. "I left Karth for the purpose of trading east ofthe Great Sea."

  "Unusual," mused Min-ta. "Most traders work between Tanagor and themainland for several years before they try the Sea."

  "Yes," added Ladro, "and some never go out. They satisfy themselves withthe 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 towardthe vague horizon. The day wore on, to be replaced by the extremeblackness of night. Then, the sky lit up again, heralding another day.

  The ship's company had settled to sea routine, and the traders roamedabout their portion of the deck, talking sometimes, or napping in thesun. Musa leaned over the low rail, watching the water, and admiring theclear, 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. Underthe priest's direction, the slaves busied themselves putting up a high,crimson and yellow curtain across the foredeck. They completed theirtask 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 priestswas followed by his slave, who bore a crimson casket. The curtain closedbehind them, then the slaves came out and ranged themselves across thedeck, facing aft.

  "I wonder," said Musa, turning to Ladro, "what ritual they areperforming."

  Ladro shook his head. "The less a man knows of the activities of thepriests, 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 thebow."

  "That is right. One priest always remains by the steersman, to ward offthe 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 cruisingalongside, gliding effortlessly through the waves, and occasionallyleaping into the air.

  "An envoy?"

  "Yes. So long as a kontar follows a ship, fair weather and smoothsailing may be expected. They are sent by Kondaro as guardians forthose ships he especially favors."

  At a call from the priest in the stern, two sailors appeared, carryingchunks of meat. As the priest chanted, they tossed these overside. Thegreat fish rose from the water, catching one of the chunks as it fell,then dropped back, and the water frothed whitely as he retrieved theother. He gulped the meat, then swam contentedly, still pacing the ship.

  "Suppose someone fell overboard?" Musa gazed at the kontar infascination.

  Ladro and Min-ta exchanged glances.

  "If one is favored by the Great One," replied Min-ta slowly, "it isbelieved that the kontar would guard him from harm. Otherwise, thesacrifice would be accepted."

  Musa looked at the clear water, then glanced back to the spot of foamwhich drew astern.

  "I don't believe I'll try any swimming from the ship." He backedslightly from the rail, glancing quickly at Ladro and Min-ta, thenlooking away again.

  He suddenly realized that he had exceeded his quota of questions, andthat he could get into trouble. He had noted that most of the ship'scompany appeared to know the other traders aboard, even though some ofthem hadn't been to sea before. Min-ta and Ladro were obviously wellacquainted with several of the ship's officers. But he, Musa, was astranger.

  He had already observed that the priesthood of Kondaro was not averse toa quick profit, and that they placed a low value on the lives andpossessions of others. He had dealt with tribes ashore, who had thesimple, savage ethic:

  "He is a stranger? Kill him! Take his goods, and kill him."

  Ashore, he had protected himself during his many trips by consortingwith 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 myhand."

  Slowly, he collected himself, and looked back at Ladro and Min-ta.

  "If you gentlemen will excuse me," he apologized, "I have some accountsto 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 bemost favored. But if the Great One shows signs of displeasure--"

  Min-ta nodded. "Yes," he agreed, "I have heard of strangers who excitedthe wrath of Kondaro." His eyes narrowed speculatively. "Those of thefaithful who keep watch on such unfavored beings are rewarded by thepriests, I am told."

  Ladro nodded. "I believe that is correct," he agreed. "We should bewatchful for impiety in any event." He stretched. "Well, I think I shalltake a short nap before dinner."

  Below, the traders' quarters were cramped. There was a small, commonspace, with a table, over which hung the single light. About thebulkheads were curtained recesses, sufficiently large for a bunk andwith barely enough space for the occupant to stand. Musa closed thecurtains, and sat down on his bunk.

  Of course, he had no proof. There was no really logical sequence toprove that the situation was dangerous. There was no evidence that hisfellow voyagers were other than honorable, well-intentioned men. But hesimply didn't feel right. He pulled his wooden chest from under thebunk, opened it, and looked through the small store of personal effects.

  There was no weapon. The law of Kondaro forbade the carrying of those byother than the priests and their slaves. His attention was attracted bya glitter, and he picked up the small amulet he had bought from thepeddler in Norlar. Slowly, he turned it in his hands.

  It was an unusual ornament, strangely wrought. He had never seen suchfine, regular
detail, even in the best handicraft. As he looked closer,he could not see how it could have been accomplished with any of theinstruments 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 hecould recall some of his words. The man had spoken almost convincinglyof powerful protectors, and Musa could foresee the need of such. Hefound himself speaking.

  "Oh, power that rests in this amulet," he said, "if there is any truthin the peddler's words, I--" He paused, his usual, hard, common sensetaking over.

  "I'm being