"Who said I was?" asked Durham.
"The darkbird came to help you. It told us Jubb had claimed you."
"It did," said Durham softly, "did it?" The dark birds will soon fly. The dark birds merely refer to a couple of ships engaged in poaching. That's what you say, Mr. Hawtree.
"What is a darkbird? You mean that shadow thing?"
"They are the servants, the familiars of The Beast," said Wanbecq. "The instruments by which he hopes to enslave all humanity. Do not pretend, Mr. Durham."
"I'm not. This Jubb—what is he beside The Beast?"
Wanbecq stared at him, and Durham made a menacing gesture. "Come on, I want to know."
"Jubb is the ruler of Senya Dik."
"And Senya Dik?"
"Our sister planet. A dark and evil sister, plotting our destruction. A demon sister, Mr. Durham. Have you ever heard of the Bitter Star?"