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trying to sell him crude, unattractive wares, and fled back to the Dragonet.
    The wind held, so that the transit of the Sea of Sikhon took less than four full days. On the second night out, Kerin stood after sunset with his elbows on the rail, looking at the ship's wake and the brilliant stars overhead; the crescent moon had not yet risen. A light touch made him turn, to see that Janji had come up silently and was leaning on the rail beside him.
    "Are you enjoying the voyage?" she asked.
    "Aye; though betimes it waxes tedious, with every day like the last."
    He felt her smile in the darkness. "You are glad it is monotonous. When a storm comes, you will be glad to go back to monotony of fair weather."
    "Do you expect a storm?" asked Kerin.
    She shrugged. "One never knows. But, Master Kerin, tell me, why are you becoming so secretive? At dinner you hardly say a word about yourself. The first night you talked freely, but since then you shut up like tortoise pulling head into shell. Young Master Rao was much more forthcoming than you."
    "I daresay," said Kerin. "In fact, the night he came aboard I thought him a blabbermouth, telling us things that would disturb his master if he knew. But since then we've hardly seen him."
    "The poor lad is one of those who gets seasick while the vessel lies still in its dock. You seem to be adapting well to life on a deck, even though you and Master Rao look much alike. If you were darker of skin or he lighter, the twain of you could pass for brothers. But you are much more secretive."
    Kerin almost launched into an account of the training through which his brother Jorian had put him. But he checked himself, saying merely: "I didn't wish to bore you and the captain with my petty personal affairs."
    "Oh, we are not bored! For example, I see you wash yourself on deck today. We hear silly stories about Novarians. Some say their male members are an ell in length and writhe like serpents; but you look like normal man."
    Kerin gulped, feeling himself flush in the darkness. "Thankee."
    "Are you using it in the normal way?"
    "As far as I know." Kerin thought that if his embarrassment became much hotter, he would burst into flame like the fabled phoenix.
    "Another thing," said Janji. "They say that the sight of a woman's teats inflames Novarians with insensate lust, so they cannot control selves but leap upon any woman like wild beasts. Is true?" She moved closer, gently rubbing against him. Kerin became aware of perfume.
    "Well—ah—that's an exaggeration. We are not used to seeing those parts exposed so freely, save in bathhouses. 'Tis a difference in customs."
    Kerin felt his blood pound. In the starlight, looking up at him, the fleshy, middle-aging Janji looked almost beautiful. His heart pounding, he cleared his throat. "Would you—I mean—do you . . ."
    He felt an exploratory hand. She exclaimed: "By Kradha the Preserver! What they say must be true. We must take care of that. Come, but very quietly! Huvraka is a fierce and jealous man."
    She led him towards the door of his cabin. When he reached out to open the door, however, she planted herself before it, saying:
    "First you are telling me truth about your secret mission."
    ''What? What secret mission are you talking about?"
    "If I know, I do not ask. Tell me!"
    "I told you about the clock escapement—"
    "Oh, you think I believe that? I am not so simple. You are telling me real reason, or no lovemaking tonight!"
    Kerin spread his hands. "I know nought whereof you speak! There's no secret mission, unless you count the search for the escapement mechanism."
    "You must hush your voice, fool, or you are waking Huvraka, and he comes with sword! If you will not tell, there is no more to say. Good-night!"
    She marched off into the darkness. Kerin, whose passion had been cooled by the inquisition, stood looking after her and wondering if he had been made a fool of. If he could have thought up a plausible story, about an objective like those his brother