"What are your wishes?" I asked.
"Come about and take your flier beyond the city walls. Ground her at least a haad beyond the east gate and then, with your companion, walk toward the city."
"Can you promise that we will be well received?" I asked.
"You will be questioned," he replied, "and if you are all right, you have nothing to fear."
"Very well," I replied, "we will do as you say. Signal your other ships to make way for us," and then, through the lane that they opened, we passed slowly back above the walls of Tjanath and came to the ground about a haad beyond the east gate.
As we approached the city the gates swung open and a detachment of warriors marched out to meet us. It was evident that they were very suspicious and fearful of us. The padwar in charge of them ordered us to halt while there were yet fully a hundred sofads between us.
"Throw down your weapons," he commanded, "and then come forward."
"But we are not enemies," I replied. "Do not the people of Tjanath know how to receive friends?"
"Do as you are told or we will destroy you both," was his only reply.
I could not refrain a shrug of disgust as I divested myself of my weapons, while Tavia threw down the short sword that I had loaned her. Unarmed we advanced toward the warriors, but even then the padwar was not entirely satisfied, for he searched our harness carefully before he finally conducted us into the city, keeping us well surrounded by warriors.