Turn 76

    Emmett looks at Yestin to see if the Giff wanted to override and claim authority at this point. Seeing no direct implication of that, he answers her, "Yeah. Good thinking. Hiro, why don't you get some sleep and take over for her in a few hours?"
    "If either of you see anyone, just come back and let us know. I don't want to go blundering without a plan here, and I certainly don't want us to get separated or away from the ship. Pham, we probably have a few hours. Why don't you catch some sleep in case we need to move the ship - which we should do as soon as the Captain and the other get back." The half man shrugs. "I think that about covers it. I'm going to catch a few myself."
    Pham lays out a mat and blanket next to the helm. "I think it would be best if I didn't have to climb any ladders suddenly." He then curls up and tries to rest while he can.
    Time passes slowly. Hiro and Nyala trade watches--Nyala still seems annoyed with him-- and then again. Some time before dawn, she returns to report that a small group of horsemen have passed, apparently headed toward the village.
    A short time after that, "They're headed this way. Six horsemen with spears, could have other arms I didn't see. A couple of dozen villagers, they're carrying staves. Shall we try talking to them again?"

* * *

    "So," the Zakharan says, ignoring Valarin's storm of conflicting emotions, "hopefully, sir, when we apologize for the misunderstandings today, and explain that we are simply exploring this area in hopes of establishing a trade in something worthwhile, they will let us go. But what if they do not?"
    "I don't know," Val answers candidly. "If not, then I suggest we think quickly..."
    "I do not know enough about them to guess what they will do," ibn Fadil muses, "or more importantly, why." He sounds unhappy. After a while he shrugs and settles down to think and try to sleep without offering any further ideas.
    While they're thinking, time passes. There are occasional sounds of footsteps and a low murmur of curses and chaffing as men come and go from the building. At some point deep in the night the sounds take on an overtone of urgency that catches the attention of anyone still awake. Not long after that, the striking of massive drums comes like sudden thunder.
    Startled awake, ibn Fadil blinks at the ceiling and listens. Signals? Yes, he can pick out non-musical rhythms in the sounds, though of course they convey no meaning to him. So much for resting up for tomorrow.
    "That can't be good," Val says as he tries to listen for activity in the hallway. "Have any idea what *that* could mean?" he asks the others. Unfortunately, he has a bad feeling he already knows...
    "Maybe they are being attacked," ibn Fadil offers. "It does seem the place is not as peaceful as it first seemed."
    They are left to wonder for a couple more hours; the silence when the drums stop is almost worse than the noise. Dozing off again eventually, they are awakened by the sound of many feet in the corridor outside, and voices.
    "Captain said to bring 'em over."
    "Any signs of trouble?"
    "Not so far, but the alert's not off yet."
    The door is unbarred, and a couple of guards loom in the doorway. "You lot, with us."

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