“That I believe well enough,” Rhes said. “It sounds like the stupidity they would talk. Those people know nothing of the world they live in I hope the rest of what you said is true, but even if it is not, you are welcome here. You are from off-world, that I know. No junkman would have lifted a finger to save my life. You are the first offworlder my people have ever known and for that you are doubly welcome. We will help you in any way we can. My arm is your arm.”

These last words had a ritual sound to them and, when Jason repeated them, Naxa nodded at the correctness of this. At the same time Jason felt that they were more than empty ritual. Interdependence meant survival on Pyrrus, and he knew that these people stood together to the death against the mortal dangers around them. He hoped the ritual would include him in that protective sphere.

“That is enough for tonight,” Rhes said. “The spotted sickness has weakened me, and your medicine has turned me to jelly.

You will stay here, Jason. There is a blanket, but no bed, at least for now.”

Enthusiasm had carried Jason this far, making him forget the two-G exertions of the long day. Now fatigue hit him a physical blow. He had dim memories of refusing food and rolling in the blanket on the floor. After that, oblivion.

17

17

Every square inch of his body ached where the doubled gravity had pressed his flesh to the unyielding wood of the floor. His eyes we gummy and his mouth was filled with an indescribable taste that can off in chunks. Sitting up was an effort and he had to stifle a groan as his joints cracked.

“Good day, Jason,” Rhes called from the bed. “If I didn’t believe in medicine so strongly, I would be tempted to say there is a miracle in your machine that has cured me overnight.”

There was no doubt that he was on the mend. The inflamed patch had vanished and the burning light was gone from his eyes.

He sat propped up on the bed, watching the morning sun melt the night’s hail storm into the fields.

“There’s meat in the cabinet there,” he said, “and either water or visk to drink.”

The visk proved to be a distilled beverage of extraordinary potent that instantly cleared the fog from Jason’s brain, though it did leave slight ringing in his ears. And the meat was a tenderly smoked joint the best food he had tasted since leaving Darkhan.

Taken together, this restored his faith in life and the future. He lowered his glass with relaxed sigh and looked around.