a. "This is your first trip?"

"Yes, it is. I've always traded ashore before this."

"But you finally decided to visit Kneuros?"

"Yes. I've dealt with a few traders who had goods from there, and their
stories interested me."

Ladro smiled. "Romance of the far places?"

"Well, there's that, too," Musa admitted, "but I'm interested in some of
the merchandise I've seen."

"There's profit in it," agreed Ladro. "How long have you been trading
around Norlar?"

"This is my first trip. I'm from Karth, in the Galankar."

"You mean you were never in Norlar before?" Min-ta joined the
conversation.

Musa shook his head. "I left Karth for the purpose of trading east of
the Great Sea."

"Unusual," mused Min-ta. "Most traders work between Tanagor and the
mainland for several years before they try the Sea."

"Yes," added Ladro, "and some never go out. They satisfy themselves with
the channel trade." He pointed. "We're getting out to the open sea now,
past the reef."

The ship drew away from the island kingdom, setting its course toward
the vague horizon. The day wore on, to be replaced by the extreme
blackness of night. Then, the sky lit up again, heralding another day.

The ship's company had settled to sea routine, and the traders roamed
about their portion of the deck, talking sometimes, or napping in the
sun. Musa leaned over the low rail, watching the water, and admiring the
clear, blue swells.

He raised his head as the door of the forward cabins opened. A priest,
followed by a group of slaves, went up to the raised forecastle. Under
the priest's direction, the slaves busied themselves putting up a high,
crimson and yellow curtain across the foredeck. They completed their
task and went below.

Again, the door opened, and a procession, headed by the chief priest,
slowly mounted the ladder to the forecastle. Each of the three priests
was followed by his slave, who bore a crimson casket. The curtain closed
behind them, then the slaves came out and ranged themselves across the
deck, facing aft.

"I wonder," said Musa, turning to Ladro, "what ritual they are
performing."

Ladro shook his head. "The less a man knows of the activities of the
priests, the better he fares," he declared. "Truly, on a great ship,
curiosity is a deadly vice."

Musa nodded to the stern. "I see that one of the priests is not at the
bow."

"That is right. One priest always remains by the steersman, to ward off
the spells of the sea d