"Twenty seasons or so." Blahrog's tone was off-handed, but his eyes slid guiltily toward Andy and away again.
Andy sighed. "Any other resources?"
They went quickly through minerals, agricultural products and animal skins; established that Felicians could not teleport, levitate or read minds. They were technologically uneducated, and had no industry on the factory-system level.
"It is coal or nothing, Mr. Stephens," Blahrog said with finality. "Isn't there some way to make the Federation believe that our coal is superior to other coal, and worth more?"
"Do you, perchance, own a sizable proportion of Felician coal reserves?"
Blahrog nodded, guilty looking again.
"Well, forget it. There isn't enough."
The Everking, who had been holding Andy's translator to his ear in silence, burst into speech.
"His Foreverness says," Blahrog remarked cannily, "that it appears impossible for Felix II to join the Federation."