The Honorable Barbarian by L. Sprague de Camp Read Free Book Online Page B

clothes.
    His twinge of resentment in turn aroused in Kerin a twitch of suspicion. The girls, he was sure, were local whores. Perhaps this was a good chance to get rid of his long-resented virginity. But again, Jorian had warned him that taking up with chance-met locals might get the traveler more than he bargained for. Besides, Kerin was too embarrassable to ask right out: How much? Still, if either girl turned her charm upon him. . . .
    Surya asked: "Have you handsome gentlemen ordered yet?"
    "Nay," said Rao. "The hosh—host told us the cook be off on an errand but will soon return. Then the mighty Ghulam—"
    "Then," continued Surya, "why go we not to my little house, where we can eat, drink, and amuse ourselves without the presence of others?"
    "Very kind of you," began Kerin, "but—"
    "A splendid idea!" crowed Rao. "Lesh go, Kerin old boy!"
    "We shall have a wonderful party!" said Yakshi. "Surya shall sing whilst I play the plong ."
    "Beware, Master Kerin!" buzzed Belinka in Kerin's ear.
    "Now wait!" said Kerin. He eyed Surya and said in careful Mulvani: "How much will this party cost?" When the girl looked blank, he repeated the sentence to Surya, who said in her own dialect—Kerin thought exaggerated—"I am sorry, but I understand not."
    Kerin then spoke in Novarian to Rao: "Look, we know these damsels not. They may have their pimp waiting to knife us."
    "Oh, nonsense!" said Rao. "They're jush a couple of shweet little whores who wouldn't hurt a fly. Besides, I hate going back to that damnable ship, which bounces me about like a cork—"
    "Well, I'm not going with them, and that's that. You do as you wish."
    "Scared?"
    "Being careful, that's all. You wouldn't want to risk that thing around your neck, would you?"
    "Oh. Now that you mention it. . . ." Rao fumbled inside his jacket, pulled out the little sack of oiled silk, and hoisted the chain over his head. He had to doff his turban to get it off. Handing the package to Kerin and replacing the turban, he said:
    "All right, you go back to the ship whilsh I make merry with these little lovelies. Take good care of that document! Here's where I prove my manhood—with both, shee if I don't!"
    They rose. Rao slapped down on the counter a gold piece worth, Kerin guessed, many times the value of the drinks they had drunk. Rao's penurious master, Kerin thought, would have been horrified. Without asking for change, Rao wavered out between the two girls, one supporting his staggering steps on either side.
    Kerin turned back towards the waterfront. As he walked, he wondered if he had not, through timidity, lost out on a pleasurable experience. If only he had some magical device to tell him how far it was safe to go in such situations. . . .
    As, under a twilit sky, Kerin walked down the gangplank of the Dragonet, Belinka buzzed: "Well done, Master Kerin! I was watching. Had you not refused that invitation, I should have made someone smart for it! Now beware the witch Janji, who hath nefarious plans!"
    "I'll try to govern my evil passions."
    Janji appeared from the deckhouse. "Master Kerin, where is your shipmate Rao?"
    "Still ashore, trying to prove his manhood on a couple of harlots."
    "Akkander is not the safest town for such adventures. He may be knocked on the head and robbed."
    "I tried to warn him, but . . ." Kerin spread his hands.
    "Hast dined?"
    "Nay; the party broke up ere we reached that stage. Couldst—ah . . ."
    "Certes; I'll put another portion on the stove. When you're cleaned up, I shall see you in the captain's cabin."

    When Janji had cleared away the monotonously vegetarian repast, she said: "I am pouring you another, yes?"
    "Thankee, but nay," said Kerin, remembering how liquor had loosened his tongue before.
    "Oh, pray do take one more!"
    "Nay!" said Kerin emphatically, placing his hand over the goblet.
    She put away the bottle. "Captain Huvraka will not come aboard again until morn. He is busy proving his love for both his wives. He says he can prove it