Part 27 (2/2)

The sky had vanished twice over, once behind the clouds and a second tih the darkness totracked on such a night, save by the ic of the Speakers The rain would do for any natural eneainst any idle curiosity by his underlings If he did not, or if Dobanpu Spirit-Speaker had beco his aun

Ryku told himself that this bleak s of spirits Then lightning flashed, illuainst a tree So solid did the Kwanyi chief appear that it was hard to tell who upheld whom, the tree or the warrior

”Hail, Chabano You caood time Now I am here Speak”

”I have news I may promiseus for mere promises, Ryku”

”That is not my hope You askedloudly for so s, and the bear does well to listen”

Chabano irowl, but thereafter was silent as Ryku explained what the First Speaker wished and what he was pro the Ichiribu did not swear to serve the God-Men,”

Chabano said at last

Ryku wished the spies' oaths devoured by lionfish, but aloud said only, ”Then can they not swear new oaths? If they are wise enough to be your spies, they h to know that the God-Men mean the Kwanyi no harm”

”I myself do not know that,” Chabano said ”Or do you say I lack wisdoed that alh to be his last He shrugged instead

Chabano laughed It was laughter that drowned out the rain and even warred against the thunder ”I do not know much about the God-Men,” he said at last ”But you will tell me more, true?”

Ryku nodded

”I rejoice And my spies swore oaths to me, so they will obey even if it aids the God-Men Did you not know that?”

Ryku confessed ignorance

”Then you have as much to learn about the Kwanyi as I have about the God-Men Perhaps ue when next we meet”

Ryku was ready to swear potent oaths to do so when he realized that he was about to swear to the darkness Chabano had vanished, as silently as a cobra for all that hebear

TEN

The verdant hills on the western shore of the Lake of Death had long since sed the sun Nowthe stars A wind blew froentle for now, but with a hint of strength to come