The Game of Stars and Comets by Andre Norton Page A

irritating reasonableness. "The only large animals native to Klor—the kwitu and the susti—are dangerous."
    "So is the farg and that is just about the size of a half-grown bear. These Ikkinni were hunters before they were captured, we don't have any of the slaves from the breeding pens here. No, I would say that the rumor of demons did not spring full born from one of their crested skulls. I'd say it was planted."
    "But why?" demanded Santoz.
    Che'in smiled gently. "Oh, for any number of reasons, Manual. Say that such a story could be used to inflame the post laborers into a revolt—"
    Santoz sneered. "Revolt! With Buk having their lives under his finger tips every second of the day and night? They're not fools!"
    But, Kade's own thoughts raced, a revolt with a method of handling Buk and his box, however risky, was possible. Was this the time to make a general confession? His lips parted but Che'in was already speaking.
    "I don't believe that any of us are experts in Ikkinni psychology. The Styor have not encouraged such research. Perhaps our best move—"
    Abu cut in. "Our best move, since we can not lift a contracted order off-world again, is to get these animals into Styor hands as quickly as possible."
    Che'in grinned. "Give the 'demons' into the keeping of those already granted such propensities by the Ikkinni. But, of course!"
    That makes good sense according to trade reasoning, yes. But Kade did not want a fast move in that direction.
    "We'll have to take them overland," he pointed out. "And if the Ikkinni have to be forced to act as drivers—"
    Abu frowned. "Yes, they might turn against the animals. Well, have you anything helpful to contribute?" His glance to Kade was direct, cold and demanding.
    "Let me have one native to begin with, and no Buk. Two days of work about the corral may bring us a convert."
    "I don't see how!" Santoz objected. "Any native would have to be collar-shocked to get him there and, without Buk, he could turn on you. "
    "You have someone in mind?" Abu asked.
    "Well, there is Dokital. He asked questions about the bear. He might just be interested enough in horses to stay around until he saw that they weren't dangerous."
    "Buk is interested in them," Santoz suggested.
    Kade's hands tensed under the edge of the table. Santoz was right, the Overman had hung about the corral, asked a multitude of questions. But he was not going to take any cross-country ride with Buk as a partner.
    "Not practical," Abu's retort had the snap of an order. "Unless we also choose to send along the labor force in its entirety. We can not use the Ikkinni here without Buk. The Lord Sabatha would withdraw all of them immediately. They're his possessions, ours only on lease. I don't know, Whitehawk, why you think you might have any luck with Dokital, but you can try for another day or so."
    Only they were not to have another day. They were to have less than five hours.
    Kade was in the field beyond the corral. He had a light riding pad on the stallion, another on the back of the lead mare. Equine nature had not changed across the star lanes, nor through the centuries. The herd was as it had always been; a wise mare to lead the bands into new pastures, the stallion ready to fight for his mares, bringing up the rear while in flight, nipping at those who fell behind.
    By the gate of the corral stood a black figure, every line of his thin body suggesting, even from this distance, defiance he dared not translate into explosive action. Kade swung up easily on the stallion, booted the horse into a trot back towards the pole wall. And he did not miss Dokital's answering crabwise movement which was halted only by the half-open gate. Now the Ikkinni stood penned as the horse and rider approached him, his hands opening and shutting as if searching the empty air before him for a weapon which did not materialize. The stallion stretched out his head, sniffed at the native, and blew gustily.
    "The beast carries no spear against it,"