Saarl nuzzled his back as he stood on the sand, watching men walk toward him.
"Are you suspicious, too, Saarl?" he whispered. "We are alone, you and I. The Klarnva ran us out of Klarn, and there are no others that we know. It is best to be careful."
He threw up a palm, calling out, "Stand where you are. You can come no closer."
A tall man threw back the hood of his cloak and scowled at him.
"You talk big for a man who dwells in a ruined house."
Flane spat, saying, "This is no house, fool. It is a ship that came from the sky. I talk big because I am big. I bear death in my palms."
The tall man looked interested. Flane saw him study the gun, then look toward the prism and the ship twisted around it. The man looked back at him.
"I would search your house, or ship, or whatever it is."
Flane shook his head.
"Step no closer or the colour that sizzles and eats everything in its path will come out to sear you."