the scan to shift. As he followed a small river, he noted groups of the huge, greenish gray beasts as they grazed on the tender rock ferns. Here and there, he noted herdsmen and chore boys either watching or urging the great brutes about with their noisemakers, keeping the herd together. He examined the scene critically, counting and evaluating. Finally, he settled back in his chair.
The herd was all here—even to the chicks. And they were in good shape. He smiled wryly.
Those brutes over in the swamp really didn’t belong here, then. They must have drifted into the Estates from the null, and been on their way back. The headman— He shrugged.
“Oh, well,” he told himself, “it was time I got a new headman for Tibara, anyway. And the discipline there will be tighter from now on.”
He started to shift scan again, then sat up. The view was pulsing.
As he watched, the scan shifted automatically, to pick up the eastern border of the Estates. Stretching across the landscape was a thin line of draft saurians, each with its driver straddling its neck. The train had halted and a heavily armored riding lizard advanced toward the surrogate. Its rider was facing the hidden crystals.
As Barra focused on him, the man nodded.
“Master Protector?”
“That is correct.” Barra activated his communicators. “I am Kio Barra, Master of the Estates Kira Barra.”
The other smiled. “I am Dar Makun, independent caravan master,” he announced. “The null turbulence forced me off route. Lost a few carriers and several days of time. I’d like to request permission to pass over your land. And perhaps you could favor me by selling some long-necks to fill my train again. The brutes I’ve got left are a little overloaded.”