“No. Aaaatak says that his people will not come where they are. Wait-he has more to tell.”
For Aaaatak was holding out his hand and Dard met it readily.
“My people now believe that you are not like those. You do not seem in body quite the same, your skin is of a different color,” he drew his claw finger across the back of Dard’s hand to emphasize his meaning, “and you have received us as one free people greets another. This those others do not-there is much hate and bitterness between us from the far past-and they always delight in killing.
“We have watched you ever since you first came out of the sky. Those others once traveled in the sky-though of late we have not seen their bird ships-and so we thought you of the same breed. Now we know that that is untrue. But we must tell you-be on your guard! For on the other side of the sea those others still live, even if their numbers are few, and there is a blackness in their minds which leads them to raise spears against all living things!
“Now,” Dard had a strong impression that the merchief was coming to the main point, “we are a people who know much about the sea, but little of the land. We have learned that you are not native to this world, having fallen from the sky-but, did you not also say that you came from a place where you, too, were penned by enemies?”
Dard assented, remembering his statement to the first envoys.
“If you are wise you will not seek out those who would lay such bonds upon you again. For that is what those others will do. In this world they recognize no other rights or desires than are born of their own wills. We have warriors of our race who keep watch upon them secretly and bring news of their coming and going. Against their might-though they have lost much of their ancient knowledge-we have only our own cunning and knowledge of the sea. And what good is a spear against that which may kill at a distance? But you have mightier weapons. And should we two peoples join skills and hearts against them- But do you now say this to your Giver of Laws and other Elder Ones so that they may understand.” He withdrew his hand again and left Dard in interpret.
“An alliance!” Tas Kordov caught the meaning of that offer. Hmm,” he plucked his lower lip. “Better tell him- No, let me. I’ll explain that we shall talk it over.”
“What’s all this ’bout Those Others?” Harmon demanded.
“Did they,” he indicated the merpeople, “say that they’re still here-the ones who lived in that city?”