page 6 

Carrying the golden one in the crook of his arm, his coat concealing her, the Viis strode through the squalid streets of the abiru ghetto, his hired enforcers lumbering behind him. A block away, his transport hovered on park a half meter above the unpaved street. Three more Toths guarded it with sidearms illegal for civilians. The Viis, however, had little fear of encountering a city patroller down here in this end of the ghetto.

Smiling to himself, he pulled off his hood and tucked it in his belt. The warm afternoon breeze blew across his skin and ruffled his rill, which itched after being confined in the hood.

"Hey, Poal," another trader called, walking up. "Any luck?"

Poal glanced around to see Tynmez, his chief competitor, hailing him. Stiffening, he checked surreptitiously to make sure the golden Aaroun was well-hidden beneath his jacket, then turned to face Tynmez with a false smile.

"Greetings of Festival," he said, using a tone that made the formal words a mockery. "May you fertilize many eggs."

Tynmez bowed, but his purple eyes kept straying to the lump hidden beneath Poal's jacket. "Luck?"

Poal flicked out his long, narrow tongue. "Not much."

Tynmez smiled and gestured behind him at the two Toths carrying laden crates of young Aarouns, Kelths, and Myals. All were crying with fear. Their cries, plus those of their anguished parents, made a din that echoed off the mud hovels. This was the very poorest end of the abiru ghetto, with the worst housing and most squalid conditions. Only the most desperate or greedy traders ventured into this area, but Poal now knew it was worth it. The Aaroun in his arms would fetch a handsome price. He had never seen her equal in all his years of trading.

"Your air sacs are full," Tynmez said. "You must be happy with your catch."

"I am."

"Show me."

Poal backed closer to his enforcers, glancing at them to see if they were alert. Two were gaping at something in the distance, chewing cud and flipping their ears at flies, but at least one seemed aware and on the job. Poal might need them all if Tynmez ordered his thugs to rob Poal's catch.

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