hatever punishment these people decided to deal out to him. And that
punishment, he realized, would be death. He straightened proudly.

"Oh, priest," he said thickly, "I am guilty of no crime. You, however,
are about to commit a serious crime, which is beyond my power to
prevent." He hesitated, then continued. "Be warned, however, that if
there are any real gods above or below, you will receive punishment. The
gods, unlike men, are just!"

Aware of sudden motion in his direction, he rapidly finished.

"So, make your sacrifice, and then see if you can save your vessel from
the natural forces of wind and water."

The priest stiffened angrily.

"Blasphemy," he said. "Blasphemy, of the worst sort." He looked away
from Musa. "I believe that in this case, the Great One will require the
ship's company to deal with you in their own way, that they may be
purged of any contamination due to your presence." He raised his arms.

"Oh, Great Kondaro, Lord of all the seas, and the things within the
seas," he began.

Musa evaded the two slaves with a quick weave of his shoulders. Covering
the distance to the side of the ship with a few quick steps, he jumped
over the rail. As he fell, the wind tore at him, and his windmilling
arms and legs failed to find any purchase to right him.

He hit the water with a splash and concussion that nearly knocked the
breath from his body, and promptly sank. As the water closed over his
head, he struck out with hands and feet in an effort to climb again to
light and air. His head broke the surface, and he flailed the water in
an effort to keep his nose in air. The ship was drawing away from him,
its storm sails set.

As he struggled in the water, he wondered if it was worth while. After
all, he had only to allow himself to sink, and all his troubles would be
over shortly. Wouldn't it be easier to do this than to continue
torturing himself with a hopeless fight?

Too, he wondered if he had been right in leaving the ship, but he
quickly dismissed that thought. The sea was impersonal, neither cruel
nor kind. It was far better, he thought, to surrender to the forces of
nature than to subject himself to the viciousness of angry men.

Suddenly, a constraining force seized him. He instinctively fought to
free himself, then realized that he was being drawn upward, out of the
water. Possibly, he thought, the Great One wanted to speak to him.

* * * * *

He rose swiftl