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Show he mused, all those things. . .they be fair inadequate friends.' He smiled a little tentatively at Phrapp-for he wasn't much used to smiling-and said, "Oh Nay- Headaches I ne'er am bedeviled with." He shook his head to emphasize this fact and winced. Phrapp got up and stretched. "We will find thee a biopak for the trip out," he said. "Headaches a r e . . ." He stopped abruptly, for he had heard a stealthy step in the hall outside, and he and Brandon stayed absolutely still for a moment, listening. Then a hand brushed over the door and Brandon's and Phrapp's hair stood on end. The almost hermetically sealed lair of the Governor would not show light from the inside, but as soon as whoever it was out there slid open the door-unless the wight be full blind-would.... Phrapp slipped soundlessly over to the light sensor and palmed it off. By this time, Brandon was up and donning his clothes in a panic. Phrapp flattened himself against the wall by the door, listening. A spine-tingling screech issued from the other side of the door-a chisel being shoved into the joint between door and frame. Phrapp frowned in puzzlement and Brandon flew on tiptoe to stand at his elbow. The bigger man stood stock still for a moment, then leaned over, grabbed the security catch, pulled it up soundlessly, and yanked the door back on its runners. Two bodies plummeted in, desperately trying to regain their balance. The pale light from the night IonGlobes in the hall disclosed them-Chu and her scoundrel from the Provinces, Hoqqam. Phrapp grabbed Brandon's elbow and tried to make a break toward the light, tripped over Chu's legs and crashed to the floor of the room, Brandon landing on top of him. They both spun over and saw Hoqqam 239 |
