These men were savages, he had been told that. They dressed in furs and spoke a slurred and broken language, at least Naxa did. Rhes admitted he preferred faith healers to doctors. But, if all this were true, where did the communicator fit into the picture? Or the glowing ceiling that illuminated the room with a soft light?
Rhes opened his eyes and stared at Jason, as if seeing him for the first time. “Who are you?” he asked. “And what are you doing here?”
There was a cold menace in his words and Jason understood why. The city Pyrrans hated the “grubbers” and, without a doubt, the feeling was mutual. Naxa’s axe had proved that. Naxa had entered silently while they talked, and stood with his fingers touching the haft of this same axe. Jason knew his life was still in jeopardy, until he gave an
answer that satisfied these men. –
He couldn’t tell the truth. If they once suspected he was spying among them to aid the city people, it would be the end. Nevertheless, he had to be free to talk about the survival problem.
The answer hit him as soon as he had stated the problem. All this had only taken an instant to consider, as he turned back to face the invalid, and he answered at once. Trying to keep his voice normal and unconcerned.
“I’m Jason dinAh, an ecologist, so you see I have the best reasons in the universe for visiting this planet-”
“What is an ecologist?” Rhes broke in. There was nothing in his voice to indicate whether he meant the question seriously, or as a trap. All traces of the ease of their earlier conversation were gone; his voice had the deadliness of a stingwing’s poison. Jason chose his words carefully.
“Simply stated, it is that branch of biology that considers the relatior between organisms and their environment. How climatic and othc factors affect the life forms, and how the life forms in turn affect eac other and the environment.” That much Jason knew was true-but 11 really knew very little more about the subject, so he moved on quickl~
“I heard reports of this planet, and finally came here to study it firs hand. I did what work I could in the shelter of the city, but it wasn enough. The people there think I’m crazy, but they finally agreed let me make a trip out here.”
“What arrangements have been made for your return?” Nas snapped.
“None,” Jason told him. “They seemed quite sure that I would F killed instantly and had no hope of me coming back. They refused t let me go on my own and I had to break away.”
This answer seemed to satisfy Rhes and his face cracked into a mirti less smile. “They would think that, those junkmen. Can’t move a met~ outside their walls without an armor-plated machine big as a ban What did they tell you about us?”
Again Jason knew a lot depended on his answer. This time ii thought carefully before speaking.
“Well, perhaps I’ll get that axe in the back of my neck for sayin this-but I have to be honest. You must know what they think. Thc told me you were filthy and ignorant savages-who smelled. And youwell, had curious customs u practiced with the animals. In exchan for food, they traded you beads and knives…
Both Pyrrans broke into a convulsion of laughter at this. Rh~ stopped soon, from weakness, but Naxa laughed himself into a coug] ing fit and had to splash water over his head from a gourd jug.
“That I believe well enough,” Rhes said. “It sounds like the stupidii they would talk. Those people know nothing of the world they live ii I hope the rest of what you said is true, but even if it is not, you ai welcome here. You are from off-world, that I know. No junkman won] have lifted a finger to save my life. You are the first off-worlder my pe ple have ever known and for that you are doubly welcome. We wi help you in any way we can. My arm is your arm.”