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s or more。〃
〃We have our supplies；〃 Cassini protested。
Janos snorted。 〃Dried goods。 And a few treats from home。 But that was just to stretch things。 We were going to live off the land； remember？ And don't say we can do the same here； because we can't。 With all of us added to their numbers； the shore's bounty will soon bee scanty。 And you will notice the fruit and nuts don't grow in orchards； but are scattered thinly about the forest… which is the way of all life in these climes。 Plus hunting will make scarce return as well after a month or so。 The Shore People will soon find us poor guests。 The presence of the seamen might be borne； because they can help with the fishing。 But the three of us； and the soldiers； are hardly famous hunters who can provide more than we would consume。 Mark my words； they'll kill us rather than face famine。〃
〃How can you know all this？〃 Cassini sputtered。 〃We have only been here a few hours。 It is not possible to make such an assessment。〃
I leaped in before the quarrel could continue。 〃I asked you both to let a few days pass；〃 I said； making sure I spoke with force。 〃This is still my Finding。 Financed by my father。 And I insist on that time to contemplate。〃
〃I won't…〃 Cassini began； but I cut him off with an impatient wave of my hand。
〃I trust you enough to know you will do what is best at the time；〃 I said。 〃So leave it be。〃
Both men remained quiet after that。 Cassini drew into a corner of the tent to brood； while Janos went outside to count the stars； perhaps。 Or consult with Maeen。 I stayed by the fire with L'ur； realizing now was not a good time to reason further with my friend。 L'ur fell quickly asleep after the argument； and there was a smile pasted on the sleeping face。 He mumbled things； like 〃board feet。〃 And 〃mind the mast〃 A happy craftsman； contemplating the work ahead。 Ah； well； at least he had a goal： to build a ship in three months。 L'ur was the only happy man that night。
After a time my own thoughts drove me out。 I found Janos hunched on a rock； listening to the lonely surf pound the shore。 I made no greeting； but sat beside him； haunted by my own thoughts。 〃Thank you 。。。 for the delayed decision；〃 Janos finally said； with effort。 I made no answer； because the reprieve was false。 When the time came there would be few choices for the picking。 Then he asked； 〃I wonder what your father would say； if he were here？〃
〃Go back； I expect。 My father usually takes the long view。〃
〃Not always；〃 Janos said。 〃He still regrets listening to his own father； and not seeking the Far Kingdoms himself； long ago。〃
〃He had no choice but to obey；〃 I answered。
Janos sighed。 〃Your father is a much better man than I will ever be。 He said it would make him happy if he went to his grave knowing his own son achieved what had been denied him。 For me； that would be no satisfaction at all。〃 He gave me a grim smile。 〃I would curse him because I was not first。〃
〃What will you do；〃 I asked； 〃if 。。。 our worse fears e true？〃
Janos hesitated； then； 〃I'd rather not think on it just now；〃 he said。 〃But I must warn you。 I will not give up easily。 Give me half a chance and I'll carry this expedition on my own back if I have to。〃
〃Be careful with Cassini；〃 I warned。 〃He can do us much harm。〃
Janos patted his knife。 〃Not as much as I can do him；〃 he said。 His words chilled me。 This was not meaningless angry talk； to be forgotten on the morrow。
〃You won't hear an Antero defend an Evocator；〃 I said。 〃But you should know that Cassini is only trying to put a happy mask on our failure。 He needs a victory。 He's practicing what he'll say in Orissa。 Remember； his own career is at stake here。〃
〃Careers be damned；〃 Janos snarled。 But he seemed to instantly regret the outburst and fell silent for a moment。 Then he asked； 〃What about you； Amalric？ What of your own career？〃
〃I feel much as you do；〃 I said。 〃Yes； there are riches here。 And yes； I could put a happy mask on as well and boast of this success before all Orissa。 But 。。。〃 My voice trailed off。
A bark of harsh laughter from Janos。 〃You've been bitten as well； haven't you； my friend？ Afflicted with the Far Kingdoms disease。 Before long； you'll be sorry we ever met。〃 The moon broke from behind a cloud； bathing Janos in an unholy glow。 〃There is no cure for this malady；〃 he said。 His finger stabbed out。 〃Except one。〃 I didn't need to look。 He was pointing east to the Far Kingdoms。
Black Shark came to us the next day。 He wore no armor； but instead was dressed as a mon man in a plain； brown tunic of bark cloth。 The only mark of office was a shaman's eye daubed on his forehead。 He was nervous； humble； almost； if such a fierce man could ever be humble。
There was no preamble。 〃I have e to ask a great boon for my people；〃 he said。 〃We have no right to ask it。 For our trouble is of our own doing。 An unpardonable sin mitted by us long ago。〃
I could not imagine what sin might trouble cannibal folk； but I made appropriate noises about the great service they had performed for us； and promised we would do what we could。 Black Shark turned to Janos。 〃You have shown much skill with ghosts；〃 he said。 Cassini coughed at this； but Black Shark didn't appear to notice。 〃We thought that skill might help us。〃
〃Please go on；〃 Janos said。 〃Although I must beg your understanding that it was his〃…he motioned at Cassini…〃enchanted net I threw。 However； as outsiders we might have a clearer view of the causes of your misfortune。〃
Black Shark was pleased by Janos' modesty。 He called for pillows of sea grass and shells brimming with some heady liquid for our refreshment。 We settled down to hear his tale。 〃It was in my grandmother's time；〃 Black Shark began。 〃She was a young woman and had not yet delivered her first child。 We were a happy people then； and the sea blessed us with its bounty； and the forests 〃 delivered much fruit as well； so there was always plenty for the Shore Folk to eat and drink their fill。 The world was a kindlier place in that time； and our enemies were few。 Then one day the Shaman； who was her father； called the people together in this very place〃…Black Shark's hand indicated the spot where we sat…〃and warned them there were ill omens bubbling in the village cooking pot。 The odor was not right； he said； and when he poked into the pot with a stick； a two…headed seal pup came to the top。
〃How it got there； no one could say。 But they all agreed it could not have been placed in the pot by one of us； because who would wish such a thing on their own folk？ People were afraid and cried out for the Shaman to tell them what they must guard against。 He could not say； for the bad magic in that foul pot had confounded his powers of vision。 People fell to guessing what manner of ill to expect。 Some said it would be a fierce storm that would leap upon us。 Others said we should see to our weapons； for it could only mean an attack from our enemies…the Dalree… who dwell not many leagues from here。〃
Black Shark gave us a look of deep sincerity。 〃You should know you are most fortunate to have e to our shores；〃 he said。 〃The Dalree are evil folk who care nothing for a stranger's life。 They are fierce men and will not even honor those th