The Windsingers by Megan Lindholm Read Free Book Online Page B

Shell, for my carapace markings.'
    'I am Vandien.' Together they bowed gravely at this formal introduction that marked the true beginning of all T'cherian bargaining. What had gone before was but a prelude, an arranging of forces. 'Then, Web Shell, you find out today that not all Humans are barbarians. Some of us treasure peace as dearly as yourselves.'
    'What is the job you would hire my team to do?'
    'A small bit of work in False Harbor.'
    'A rough town that is, with little to recommend it. No T'cheria reside there; and I have heard evil things of the Humans that make it their home. What surety will I have of the safety of my team? How can you guarantee that they will not be stolen, or poisoned, or maimed for sport?'
    Vandien slowly waved the hand holding the crystal before his face, the Human equivalent of a T'cherian showing distress at the mere thought of something. 'May the Moon forbid such evil deeds!' Vandien's hand went to his belt pouch. The T'cherian still tracked every motion of the hand that held the crystal. Vandien patted his purse so that the two small coins chinked together. 'You present me with a dilemma. You seem to say that you would hire me your team, if you could be sure of their safety. Have I understood you, or has the limitations of this poor Common corrupted the thoughts you seek to convey?'
    'Let us take that as a premise,' the T'cherian hedged. 'If I were willing to hire out to you these precious skeel, more companions to me than work animals, what could you offer me as a bond for their well-being while in your care?'
    Vandien again jingled the pouch. 'What, indeed? Coin will pay you when I return, but that is not what is needed now. A crasser man than I might offer you coin now, not understanding that a show of money is not always a show of good faith. But I perceive that what is needed is not mere monetary security, but a personal commitment. A hostage, if you will.' Vandien paused and turned his eyes up to the sky. He posed silently. Then, with seeming reluctance, he slipped the crystal back into his sash. The mandibles of the T'cherian rattled lightly at this, but Vandien appeared not to notice. With tightly folded lips and a resigned expression, he unscrewed a ring from his left hand. It came free slowly, revealing a band of whitened skin. With a great sigh, he held it out for the T'cherian's inspection.
    The eye stalks bent to it briefly. It was an exceptionally plain ring. The single black stone did not sparkle, though the facets of the square cut gleamed dully. The band was of plain-silver. Vandien hefted its heaviness.
    'There is this,' he said slowly. 'Long has it been since it left my hand. But if you would have a token of my good intentions, I offer you this. From my mother's father's grandmother, it was passed to me.' He paused again and took a deep breath to clear the huskiness from his voice. 'Little enough is left to me to remind me of the heights from which my line has fallen. But this I retain, a reminder to myself of all we once were, and all I hope to be again. Never would I forsake it! Never! If I were to leave your team to you in good health, or die trying!'
    Vandien's fist closed convulsively over the ring. For in instant every muscle and tendon in his arm and hand stood out against his skin. He blinked his eyes rapidly. Then, gravely, he extended his hand, palm up, to Web Shell. The hand that held the ring trembled.
    'Return your ring to your hand,' the T'cherian said solemnly. 'Although we put no metal ornaments upon our shells, we understand the high regard you Humans have for them. This one means too much for you to part with it as a token in a marketplace.'
    But Vandien's hand remained outstretched. 'Yet your team I must hire. I am convinced only they could perform the task for me. Please! This discussion only prolongs my anxiety and discomfort!'
    The T'cherian rattled his mandibles loudly. Vandien clenched his jaws and turned his eyes away. He had deliberately used the