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He gave her an account of Axor's quest, succinct because that should whet her appetite for details.
" In Olga's Landing he acquired a guide, a vagabond by the name of Diana Crowfeather "
Pele raised his hand. "Wait. Is that the dark-haired ragamuffin girl who was strolling at his side?"
"Who else?" Targovi observed her grow thoughtful, and at the same time seem a bit amused. He
continued: "Diana and I are old acquaintances. I decided to do her a kindness and provide passage to
Daedalus, where I thought it likelier they would find relics such as they sought than on Imhotep. If naught
else, here they would have access to records of whatever may have been discovered but never really
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publicized. Furthermore, Diana should enjoy this planet, more congenial and almost new to her. And, to
be sure, Axor would pay me." Slipping fast by that bit of mendacity: "Unfortunately, as I said, the
outbreak of hostilities left us stranded. In fact, we were arrested and interrogated.
"Upon release, Axor and Diana spent a while in Aurea searching for information about Ancient relics.
What they learned made them decide to fare downstream. They might as well. I stayed behind, striving to
wheedle a clearance for return to Imhotep. Nothing availed. Finally I took a boat to Lulach myself. It was
an express, therefore it arrived nearly as soon." Considering the number of such craft and their short
turnaround times, Targovi didn't anticipate anyone would attempt verification of his narrative.
"An intriguing story," Pele said, "but what significance has it to me?"
"Much, I trust, milady," he replied. "May I ask a question? Are there mysterious remnants on
Zacharia?"
She gave him a close look. "No."
"Truly not?"
"We have occupied the island for centuries and modified every square centimeter of it. We would
know."
Targovi sighed. "Then the clues that my comrades came upon are false. Ah, I hate the prospect of
disappointing them. Their hopes were so high."
"It was always inevitable that all sorts of unfounded rumors would go about, concerning us. Why
should I lie to you?" Pele stroked her jaw. "I have, myself, heard of huge, inexplicable walls and the
like but afar in the mainland jungles or glaciers. It may be nothing more than travelers' tales. Your
associates should inquire further."
"That may be less than easy, donna; for their purses have grown lank too. What has occured to me is
this. You yourself know naught certain about Ancient relics, aside from their existence on some other
planets. The subject has not interested you. However, during the centuries that Zacharians have dwelt on
Daedalus, their explorers and factors must have ranged over the whole globe, as well as distant worlds.
There must be ample records, and mayhap even individuals, to tell what is or is not real. It would save
us Axor an effort that could prove hopelessly great."
"Do you wish me, then, to make a search of our database?" The woman pondered before continuing
genially, "Well, I can. You have roused my curiosity."
"Ng-ng, milady is most generous," Targovi said, "but that is not truly what I had in mind. Could we
come to Zacharia in person and pursue our inquiries? You know that printed words and pictures,
valuable though they be, are not everything. There is no substitute for discourse, for the interplay of
brains."
Pele sat straight. Her gaze sharpened. "Are you in search of free food and lodging?"
Targovi chuckled. "Plainly, yes, that is my chief motivation. Give me several standard days without
pressure, perchance a week or two, and I can devise some means of keeping myself alive on Daedalus. I
might even make trade arrangements with you Zacharians, or at any rate get your kind of help in
persuading the Navy to let me flit home. You have influence."
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"I told you we are not a charitable organization."
"Nor am I a beggar, donna. My humble goods may prove worthless to you, but at the moment my
stock in trade includes Axor himself. Think. He is likely the first Wodenite ever to betread Daedalus.
Certainly none else have come here in living memory. Not only can he tell your savants much about his
world and his folk the sort of facts that do not get into dry dispatches but he has roamed throughout
the Empire. Not only is he a leading authority on the fascinating Ancients, he has experience of many and
many contemporary societies. Let us admit that this entire sector is provincial, marginally touched by the
currents of civilization. Axor will come like a breath of fresh air. I assure you, as a person he is delightful."
Targovi interposed a few seconds of strategic silence. "And & the total situation in the galaxy has
become totally fluid. Aught can happen, whether mortal danger or radiant opportunity. Axor is no
political scientist or seeker of wealth and advantage. But he is widely traveled and he has thought deeply
about the things he has witnessed from his nonhuman, non-Cynthian, non-Merseian perspective. Who
knows what clues toward action or precaution lie in what he has to tell? Dare you refuse yourselves the
input he can give you?"
The quietness that fell again grew lengthy. At last Pele asked, "What does the girl want of us?"
"Why, simply the thrill of newness. Whatever you care to show her. She is young and
adventurous & We three travel together, you understand."
Pele looked beyond him. "She is attractive," she murmured.
Targovi knew the reputation of Zacharian men. They practically never married outside their society;
that meant exile. They did, though, spread their superior genes through the lesser breeds of humanity
whenever they got the chance; and they had a way of creating frequent chances for themselves. Pele must
be thinking she could put her brethren on the track of some fun.
To a degree, Targovi had taken this into his calculations. He didn't feel he was betraying Diana. She
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