He dropped to the tiled flooring of the balcony and tumbled. Halfway over, he found himself looking upside-down at a tall figure who glared down at him incredulously. Jonathan flushed hotly and landed hard.
He sat there and felt foolish.
Adatha Za started up, catching her breath in her throat.
Jonathan drew a deep breath. There was a strange malignancy in the eyes of this man who stood in the arched entranceway and looked down at him. Malignancy and contempt, and his thin lips sneered with the livid disdain that moved him.
"You're just asking for trouble, mac," he said quietly, getting to his feet. "I'm not used to being looked at like that."
The man stood straight and haughty, but his eyes blazed. Jonathan felt as though he had been spat at. He started forward; felt Adatha Za's hand on his arm, squeezing him hard.
"This is Morka Kar, Jonathan. He is from Zarathza. This is the Earthling, Jonathan Morgan."
The Zarathzan did not incline his head. He flashed an irritated look at Adatha Za, then looked back at Jonathan.
"The guests of Shar Bytu have gathered to meet the barbarian," he snapped. "He sent me to see if he were awake. I see he is. Be good enough to show him the Temple, Adatha Za."
He swung on his heel and walked away. Jonathan quivered and took a step after him, but the girl beside him tugged on his arm, saying, "It is always his way. He is abrupt, and so self-controlled that anything like gaiety annoys him."