As quickly as he could he ascended the sloping terrain, past the dismal fields of stajja, a sea of yellowed shriveled shoots, and up through the stark leafless glein bushes and the dried pasty stuff that was all that was left of the hingamorts, until in time he entered the niyk orchard. The dead trees were so light that they were easily uprooted by strong winds, and most had fallen, with the others standing at precarious angles as though a giant had slapped them playfully with the back of his hand. At first Etowan Elacca did not see Simoost; and then he caught sight of the foreman wandering in a peculiarly haphazard way along the outer edge of the grove, threading a path between the leaning trees, pausing now and then to push one over. Was this the way he had spent the night? Since Ghayrogs did all their year's sleeping in a few months of hibernation, it had never surprised Etowan Elacca to learn that Simoost had been at work during the night, but this sort of aimlessness was not at all like him.

"Simoost?"

"Ah, sir. Good morning, sir."

"Xhama said you were up here. Are you all right, Simoost?"

"Yes, sir. I am very well, sir."

"Are you sure?"

"Very well, sir. Very well indeed." But Simoost's tone lacked conviction.

Etowan Elacca said, "Will you come down? I have something to show you."

The Ghayrog appeared to be considering the request with care. Then he slowly descended until he reached the level where Etowan Elacca waited. The snaky coils of his hair, which were never entirely still, moved now in nervous jerky writhings, and from his powerful scaly body came a scent which Etowan Elacca, long familiar with the varying odors of Ghayrogs, knew to signify great distress and apprehension.

Simoost had been with him for twenty years: Etowan Elacca had never before detected that scent coming from him.

"Sir?" Simoost said.

"What's troubling you, Simoost?"

"Nothing, sir. I am very well, sir. You wished to show me something?"

"This," said Etowan Elacca, taking from his pocket the long tapering tooth he had found in the pinnina bed. He held it forth and said, "I came upon this while I was making the garden tour half an hour ago. I wondered if you had any idea what it was."

Simoost's lidless green eyes flickered uneasily. "The tooth of a young sea dragon, sir. So I believe."

"Is that what it is?"

"I am quite sure, sir. Were there others?"

"Quite a few. Eight more, I think."

Simoost traced a diamond shape in the air. "Arranged in a pattern like this?"

"Yes," said Etowan Elacca, frowning. "How did you know that?"

"It is the usual pattern. Ah, there is danger, sir, great danger!"

In exasperation Etowan Elacca said, "You're being deliberately mysterious, aren't you? What usual pattern? Danger from whom? By the Lady, Simoost, tell me in plain words what you know about all this!"

The Ghayrog's odor grew more pungent: it spoke of intense dismay, fear, embarrassment. Simoost appeared to struggle for words. At length he said, "Sir, do you know where everyone who used to work for you has gone?"