forests and vast tracks of almost impenetrable jungle except along the
western side, whereas Ista was sharp hills and deep valleys, also
densely vegetated.
But here a vast grassland, similar in some respects to the plains of
Keroon, spread out in all directions, dotted by up thrusts of bare yellow
rock, occasional copses of angular trees with fronds spilling from the
crests, and large, wide branched trees like islands. The dragons’
flight over some of these caused flocks of wherries and other avian
forms to debouch in frantic escape.
Can I eat them? Ormonth enquired of his rider, speeding up in case he
was allowed to give chase.
What? Those tough mouthffils? P’tero asked scornfully.
Then he cupped his hands and shouted at M’leng: Ormonth’s hungry enough
to eat wherries!” Sith wanted to, as well. We’d better feed them,’
M’leng yelled back. Over there!” and he pointed to one of the rock
piles. One of the spreading trees had grown right up against the pile,
shading the long incline to the top.
P’tero thought the formation looked like the prow of a ship, with
midships plunging into the sea of ground. And the tree a muchly
misplaced mast.
M’leng nodded vigorously in approval and pumped his arm, nudging Sith
into a wide curve so that they came up to the prow to land. A fine
breeze blew against them from the south, cooling the perspiration on
their bare torsos.
Immediately they landed, the two young men stripped off their heavy
flight pants and boots. They had to put their socks back on, for the
rock was far too hot for bare feet.
M’leng, who had good distance vision, covered his eyes with one hand,
peering to the west where a long dark line seemed to be moving.
Oh, good, herd beasts.” He hauled Sith’s head round and then pushed it
in the right direction. See? You can eat those.
Much better than wherries. Off you go, now!” And he gave Sith a thump
of dismissal.
Follow Sith, Ormonth,’ and P’tero shoved the blue’s head to the right.
Hunt with her and you can’t get into any trouble that way.
We’ll watch from here.” Ormonth shifted weight from one diagonal to the
other, his whirling eyes with a trace of anxious yellow.
What’s the matter with you?” P’tero demanded, wanting both dragons to
be away so that he and M’leng could have some real privacy.