The Hostage of Zir Read Online Free PDF

find these drivers and bearers? We shall also need porters.”
    Khorsh smiled. “Fear not, my son. The gods will provide.”
    Reith asked Khorsh about the rates for portage and transportation. “I hope you can translate for me. I’ve been practicing my Gozashtandou, but when they all start to chatter at once, it’s just a buzz of noise.”
    “Com gôsto! Permit me to recommend litters instead of carriages. During the Festival of Dashmok, traffic is such that you will find litters more practical.”
    “Oh, yes, the Festival. We timed our arrival for it, and we plan to attend the grand ballet. Yes, Mr. Kosambi?”
    The plump Indian had oozed quietly up. “While you are viewing these pagan orgies, Mr. Reith, I trust you will also bring them to the Church of the Lords of Light You should show them not only the past of this backward planet but also the future, which I am sure will be a brighter one. Compared to the temple of Dashmok nearby, our fane is a humble one, but it represents the true enlightenment.”
    “Thank you,” said Reith. “When will there be a service or meeting or whatever you call it?”
    “The day after tomorrow, at high noon. Your presence will be most welcome.”
    “I’ll try to work it into our schedule.”
    After a wait, a small red-sailed coaster pulled out from the wharf. Captain Ozum slipped the Zaidun into the vacated dock, while Krishnans on other waiting craft screamed maledictions. Reith saw what Khorsh had meant by the gods providing portage and transport As soon as those on shore realized that the Zaidun carried passengers, they swarmed towards that part of the wharf, shouting. Some proclaimed their might and skill as porters or chairmen; some offered services as guides; others waved articles of merchandise.
    Reith lined up his tourists, saying: “Stick together and carry your own small hand luggage. We’re taking litters.”
    “Huh?” said Pride. “What’s that?”
    “Sedan chairs.”
    The gangplank was thrust over the side. Two of the Zaidun ’s boatmen stood at the shore end with belaying pins, to discourage unauthorized boarders.
    With his heart nervously pounding, Reith stepped up on the gangplank and called in Gozashtandou: “I want twelve porters!”
    From the shoving, shouting mob, Reith chose his dozen. He passed them, one at a time, aboard the ship. Then he lined them up on deck and explained that they were going to Haftid’s Inn in the Shodsir. When they seemed to understand, he went ashore to round up chairmen. The tourists straggled up the plank after him. He was hiring his litters when Shirley Waterford spoke: “Fearless, I can’t ride in one of those things.”
    He turned. “Why not?”
    “It’s not decent, using people as beasts of burden. It’s a kind of racism.”
    “Oh, my God, Shirley, don’t start that now! This is the local custom, and we’re expected to follow it. Besides, if we don’t hire these poor fellows, how will they make their living?”
    “I don’t care; I just won’t do it. It’s an insult to human dignity. Why can’t I take this carriage?”
    The harried Reith asked the hackney driver for his price. The reply was in such strong Majburo dialect that Reith had to find Khorsh to translate.
    When Miss Waterford was in the carriage, Considine and Turner decided that they, too, would prefer to ride behind an aya than be jounced in a litter. They scurried to the carriage and leaped in. Their chairman broke into voluble protests.
    “What are they saying, Father Khorsh?” asked Reith.
    “They say you have a legitimate contract with them, my son. They say you owe them for the portage, whether or not they carry these two earthmen.”
    Reith restrained himself from pulling his coppery hair. “What should I do? Pay them for the trip or tell them to go to Hishkak?”
    “Permit me to ponder, my son. Ah! I think I have it. In your haste, you neglected to order transport either for yourself or for me.”
    “I was going to walk, to watch