Something unknown. 'The leader is not helpful,' or perhaps 'stays aloof.' 'The leader slowly changes, or metamorphoses, to the enemy.' Or perhaps, 'The leader slowly changes to become like the enemy.' Change of some sort-I can't understand. 'I request more money.' Something about arrival of a newcomer or stranger 'of utmost importance.' That's about all."
Reith thought to sense an almost imperceptible relaxation in Helsse's manner.
"No great illumination," said Helsse briskly. "Well, you have done your best.
Here is your twenty sequins."
"'Twenty sequins'!" roared Zarfo Detwiler. "The price agreed was fifty! How can I buy my bit of meadowland if I am constantly cheated?"
"Oh very well, if you choose to be niggardly."
"Niggardly, indeed! Next time read the message yourself."
"I could do as well, for all the help you've given us."
"You were duped. That is no guide to treasure."
"Apparently not. Well then, good day to you."
Reith followed Zarfo from the carriage. He looked back in at Helsse. "I'll remain here, for a word or two with this gentleman."
Helsse was not pleased. "We must discuss another matter. It is necessary that the Blue Jade Lord receives information."
"This afternoon I will have a definite answer for you."
Helsse gave a curt nod. "As you wish."
The carriage departed, leaving Reith and the Lokhar standing in the street.
Reith said, "Is there a tavern nearby? Perhaps we can chat over a bottle."
"I am a Lokhar," snorted the black-skinned old man. "I do not addle my brains and drain my pockets with drink; not before noon, at any rate. However you may buy me a fine Zam sausage, or a clut of headcheese."
"With pleasure."
Zarfo led the way to a food shop; the two men took their purchases to a table on the street.
"I am amazed by your ability to read the ideograms," said Reith. "Where did you learn?"
"At Ao Hidis. I worked as a die cutter beside an old Lokhar who was a true genius. He taught me to recognize a few chimes, and showed me where the shadings matched intensity vibrations, where sonority equated with shape, where the various chord components matched texture and gradation. Both the chimes and the ideograms are regular and rational, once the eye and the ear are tuned. But the tuning is difficult." Zarfo took a great bite of sausage. "Needless to say, the Wankhmen discourage such learning; if they suspect a Lokhar of diligent study, he is discharged. Oh, they are a crafty lot! They jealously guard their role as intercessors between the Wankh and the world of men. A devious folk! The women are strangely beautiful, like black pearls, but cruel and cold, and not prone to dalliance."
"The Wankh pay well?"
"Like everyone else, as little as possible. But we are forced to concede. If labor costs rose, they would take slaves, or train Blacks and Purples, one or the other. We would then lose employment and perhaps our freedom as well. So we strive without too much complaint, and seek more profitable employment elsewhere once we are skilled."
"It is highly likely," said Reith, "that the Yao Helsse, in the gray and green suit, will ask what we discussed. He may even offer you money."
Zarfo bit off a chunk of sausage. "I shall naturally tell all, if I am paid enough."
"In that case," said Reith, "our conversation must deal in pleasantries, profitless to both of us."
Zarfo chewed thoughtfully. "How much profit had you in mind?"
"I don't care to specify, since you would only ask Helsse for more, or try to extract the same from both of us."
Zarfo sighed dismally. "You have a sorry opinion of the Lokhar. Our word is our bond; once we strike a bargain we do not deviate."
The haggling continued on a more or less cordial level until for the sum of twenty sequins Zarfo agreed to guard the privacy of the conversation as fiercely as he might the hiding place of his money, and the sum was paid over.
"Back to the Wankh message for a moment," said Reith. "There were references to a 'leader.' Were there hints or clues by which to identify him?"
Zarfo pursed his lips. "A wolf-tone indicating high-level gentry; another honorific brevet which might signify something like 'a person of the excellent sort' or 'in your own image,' 'of your sort.' It is very difficult. A Wankh reading the ideogram would understand a chime, which then would stimulate a visual image complete in essential details. The Wankh would be furnished a mental image of the person, but for someone like myself there are only crude outlines. I can tell no more."
"You work in Settra?"
"Alas. A man of my years and impoverished: isn't it a pity?
But I near my goal, and then back to Smargash, in Lokhara, for a bit of meadow, a young wife, a comfortable chair by the hearth."
"You worked in the space shops at Ao Hidis?"
"Yes, indeed; I transferred from the tool works to the space shops, where I repaired and installed air purifiers."
"Lokhar mechanics must be very skillful, then."
"Oh, indeed."
"Certain mechanics specialize upon the installation of, say, controls and instruments?"
"Naturally. Complex trades, both."
"Have such mechanics immigrated to Settra?"
Zarfo gave Reith a calculating glance. "How much is the information worth to you?"
"Control your avarice," said Reith. "No more money today. Another sausage, if you like."
"Later, perhaps. Now as to the mechanics: in Smargash are dozens, hundreds, retired after lifetimes of toil."
"Could they be tempted to join in a dangerous venture?"
"No doubt, if the danger were scant and the profit high. What do you propose?"
Reith threw caution to the winds. "Assume that someone wished to confiscate a Wankh spaceship and fly it to an unspecified destination: how many specialists would be required, and how much would it cost to hire them?"
Zarfo, to Reith's relief, did not stare in bewilderment or shock. He gnawed for a moment at the last of the sausage. Then, after a belch, he said, "I believe that you are asking if I consider the exploit feasible. It has often been discussed in a jocular manner, and for a fact the ships are not stringently guarded. The project is feasible. But why should you want a spaceship? ,I do not care to visit the Dirdir on Sibol or test the infinity of the universe."
"I can't discuss the destination."
"Well then, how much money do you offer?"
"My plans have not progressed to that stage. What do you consider a suitable fee?"
"To risk life and freedom? I would not stir for less than fifty thousand sequins."
Reith rose to his feet. "You have your fifty sequins; I have my information. I trust you to keep my secret."
Zarfo sat sprawled back in his chair. "Now then, not so fast. After all I am old and my life is not worth so much after all. Thirty thousand? Twenty? Ten?"
"The figure starts to become practical. How much of a crew will we need?"
"Four or five more, possibly six. You envision a long voyage?"
"As soon as we are in space, I will reveal our destination. Ten thousand sequins is only a preliminary payment. Those who go with me will return with wealth beyond their dreams."
Zarfo rose to his feet. "When do you propose to leave?"
"As soon as possible. Another matter: Settra is overrun with spies; it's important that we attract no attention."
Zarfo gave a hoarse laugh. "So this morning you approach me in a vast carriage, worth thousands of sequins. A man watches us even now."
"I've been noticing him. But he seems too obvious to be a spy. Well, then, where shall we meet, and when?"