"Norton, Andre - Solar Queen 02 - Plague Ship" - читать интересную книгу автора (Norton Andre)

arrogant dignity on that unoccupied stool, and a younger man in I-S uniform was putting before him the
same type of equipment Dane had produced for Van Rycke. The Cargo-master of the Solar Queen showed
no surprise, if the Eysies' appearance had been such to him.

One of the younger warriors in Paft's train got to his feet and brought his hands together with a clap which
echoed across the silent gathering with the force of an archaic solid projectile shot. A Salarik, wearing the
rich dress of the upper ranks, but also the collar forced upon a captive taken in combat, came into the
enclosure carrying a jug in both hands. Preceded by Paft's son he made the rounds of the assembly pouring
a purple liquid from his jug into the goblet before each chieftain, a goblet which Paft's heirs tasted
ceremoniously before it was presented to the visiting clan leader. When they paused before Van Rycke the
Salarik nobleman touched the side of the plasta flask in token. It was recognized that off world men must
be cautious over the sampling of local products and that when they joined in the Taking of the First Cup of
Peace, they did so symbolically.

Paft raised his cup, his gesture copied by everyone around the circle. In the harsh tongue of his race he
repeated a formula so archaic that few of the Salariki could now translate the sing-song words. They drank
and the meeting was formally opened.
But it was an elderly Salarik seated to the right of Halfer, a man who wore no claw knife and whose dusky
yellow cloak and sash made a subdued note amid the splendor of his fellows, who spoke first, using the
click-clack of the Trade Lingo his nation had learned from Cam.

"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. What was the I-S going to say to that?

But the fellow did have an answer, ready and waiting. "It is true, fathers of clans, that here are two voices,
where by right and custom there should only be one. But this is a matter which can be decided between us.
Give us leave to withdraw from your sight and speak privately together. Then he who returns to you will
be the true voice and there shall be no more division--"

It was Paft who broke in before Halfer's spokesman could reply.

"It would have been better to have spoken together before you came to us. Go then until the shadow of the
shield is not, then return hither and speak truly. We do not wait upon the pleasure of outlanders--"

A murmur approved that tart comment. "Until the shadow of the shield is not." They had until noon. Van
Rycke arose and Dane gathered up his chief's possessions. With the same superiority to his surroundings
he had shown upon entering, the Cargo-master left the enclosure, the Eysies following. But they were away
from the clearing, out upon the road back to the Queen before the two from the Company caught up with
them.

"Captain Grange will see you right away--" the Eysie Cargo-master was beginning when Van Rycke met
him with a quelling stare.

"If you poachers have anything to say--you say it at the Queen and to Captain Jellico," he stated flatly and
started on.