The Explorer probed gently. “I don’t think anything is broken. You’ll have to walk despite the pain.”
“Can’t we rest first?”
“It’s important to try to find the ship. If it is spaceworthy or if it can be repaired, we may live. Otherwise, we won’t.”
“Just a few minutes. Let me catch my breath.”
The Explorer was glad enough for those few minutes. The Merchant’s eyes were already closed. He allowed his to do the same.
He heard the trampling and his eyes snapped open. Never sleep on a strange planet, he told himself futilely.
The Merchant was awake too and his steady screaming was a rumble of terror.
The Explorer called, “It’s only a native of this planet. It won’t harm you.”
But even as he spoke, the giant had swooped down and in a moment they were in its grasp being lifted closer to its monstrous ugliness.
The Merchant struggled violently and, of course, quite futilely. “Can’t you talk to it?” he yelled.