“No, no!” Homat whispered intently. “Not that. The danger of which I speak is nearer and more insidious.”
Etienne studied the guide’s face closely. “Homat, what is it you’re so frightened of?”
“I am not bold by nature,” he explained anxiously. “I have traveled as widely as I have not because I desired to but because I was ordered to do so by those who employed me.
“Now I have found that I cannot go on without telling what I know, de-Etienne. Something within pushes me to make confession. All my life I have been a small person, one who scrapes and nods and follows the orders of others. You and de-Lyra have treated me most fair, better than I have ever been treated by any other employers. I have come to like you very much. For the first time in my life, someone makes me feel important. It is a feeling I want to keep.”
“Why shouldn’t you?” Etienne found himself taken aback by the unexpectedly emotional confession.
“Because of Irquit.”
“Irquit? What can she do to you?”
Homat’s wide eyes darted nervously around the plastic enclosure. “Are you sure no one can hear what we say?”
“Of course I’m sure. The intercom’s not on and we’re high above the rest of the boat. Homat, explain yourself. Why are you so afraid of Irquit all of a sudden? I hadn’t noticed that she’s been treating you badly. She’s been very helpful.”
“That is her task. To be helpful until …” he hesitated. “Mai-with-Hair, remember that what I am about to tell you is worth my life—Irquit is the direct representative of the Zanur of Po Rabi.”
Etienne was beginning to lose patience with his visitor. His viewing time was slipping away and he wanted to get in some sleep before sunrise.
“We already know that, Homat. You are, too.”
“No! I am a hired guide. She is responsible only to the Zanur itself. Tell me, de-Etienne, have you not remarked on her intense interest in your spirit boat and its functions?”
“Naturally. Do you think we’re only attuned to technology? My wife is particularly sensitive to the actions of,” he almost said primitive peoples, but quickly changed it to “other individuals. Irquit’s interest is only natural. Lyra ought to know. She’s studied guests on other worlds beyond this one.”
“I know what that means, de-Etienne,” Homat replied somberly. “Tell me: on those other worlds did she ever encounter any assassins?”
V 
Etienne’s smile vanished and he sat up straighter in his chair. His impatience was replaced by sudden interest.
“Would you mind explaining what you mean, Homat?”
The guide shifted nervously. “Your wonderful craft makes use of many impossible-to-understand spirits, de-Etienne, but it seems to me not so difficult to command them.”
“Operation is highly simplified for users not technically oriented, yes.”
“Simple enough for Irquit to operate?”
“Maybe, if she were to stick to basic go-stop type directions. What about it?”
Homat gestured forward, past the moonlit bow. “Tomorrow we are to stop at the village of Changrit to restock our larder. Changrit has an alliance with Po Rabi.”
“I didn’t think Po Rabi’s influence extended this far north,” Etienne told him.
“Changrit is independent. It is a trade alliance only, but that is enough when much is at stake. Long before Ambassador de-Kelwhoang delivered us to you to serve as your guides, river riders were sent racing north to Changrit. An understanding was achieved with the Moyt of Changrit.” He brushed absently at the single knot of long hair that trailed from the top of his head.
“The ambush is to take place at night, while you are anchored out in the Skar and less on guard. Your spirit boat is to be taken so that its secrets and treasures may be shared by Changrit and Po Rabi.” He hesitated only for a moment. “You and your mate, of course, will not survive.”
“I see,” Etienne said quietly. “Suppose Irquit proves unable, despite her studies, to operate the boat?”
“All is planned for. In that event it is to be loaded upon a barge and shipped Downriver.”
“I don’t see any problem, Homat. We just won’t stop near Changrit for supplies. Even if they’re lying in wait for us out in the river we can simply run past them.”
“It may not be so easy, de-Etienne. Even now word is relayed along the riverbank marking our progress. The fighters of Changrit will be ready to challenge you no matter when you try to pass their city.”
“I’m curious. How did the Zanur plan to explain our disappearance, in the event our friends back at Steamer Station learned of it?”
“You have been watched and studied. Not all who sought to talk with your mate while you waited to travel were simple fisherfolk. Changrit was chosen because it is the northernmost city with which Po Rabi has an alliance and it was believed to lie beyond range of your talk-through-air spirits.”
“That’s right enough.”
“There is no reason why your friends should connect your disappearance to Po Rabi or any other city. For all they will know you perished when your boat sank in the Skar, as many boats do.”
“And what if our friends come looking for us and find our boat in the possession of the Zanur, or the Moyt of Changrit?”
“Then it is to be said that you were swamped by an arwawl, that this was seen from shore, and that your boat was towed to safety but not in time to save its crew, I am not privy to all the details, as Irquit is.”
“But they had to tell you this much so that you could help at the critical moment.”
“Yes.” Homat dropped his gaze, unwilling to meet his benefactor’s eyes. “My ancestors are ashamed.”
“All right, you’ve told me about the proposed attack. That doesn’t make Irquit an assassin.”
“She will become one only if it proves necessary,” Homat explained. “She is there to make certain the attack does not fail. When it comes she will pretend surprise and will appear to aid you, but if it looks like the attack may fail, she is to choose a moment when you are not on guard to push you overboard or put a knife in your back. Have you not noticed her skill on things bigger than vegetables.” He looked away.
