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QUETZAL'S FLOCK<br />
The animal looked like a broad, chestnut coloured ox with a camel's head. It<br />
had wide, cup-like feet, totally suited to the desert terrain. It looked upon them with<br />
eager stupidity, as it careered into the clearing. It was male and looked as if it wanted<br />
to prove it. Kane hoped it wasn't short sighted. Hammadi grinned delightedly.<br />
"Never fails!"<br />
Kane's heart sank - it was a near cousin to the Vix of Lynxe and looked about<br />
as comfortable and as amiable.<br />
Five other beasts arrived in quick succession - all were in a similar state of<br />
excitement. A fight erupted between them and Hammadi and his two companions<br />
found themselves acting as referees. Their method of attraction seemed to have its<br />
drawbacks. A great deal of dust was raised, which didn't taste any better than it<br />
looked. Hammadi looked at Kane anxiously, who tried to dismiss any critical<br />
thoughts.<br />
Hammadi led one of the quieter mounts forward, it had a mournful, cheated<br />
look. Kane could sympathise. It had no saddle, although there was a harness of sorts.<br />
It looked as if the idea was to leap on - and hang on. Hammadi looked at Kane's sweat<br />
soaked tunic.<br />
"I think my father will find that garment unsuitable."<br />
It was the second time he had claimed paternity. Kane looked at him sharply.<br />
This fellow was his own age - even allowing for the Masters of Psi's aptitude for<br />
throwing people around in time, it didn't appear to be a viable possibility.<br />
"I'm travelling light."<br />
Hammadi turned and retrieved a pack which had been stowed to one side of<br />
the clearing. He dusted off the purple results of the Picun fight, opened it and held up<br />
a large cape.<br />
"My Lord will find the Kous to be more suitable. Pjarl was a big man - it will<br />
fit you."<br />
"Pjarl?"<br />
"Pjarl was our companion, Lord Quetzal."<br />
The dead man's cloak was handed to Kane. He shuddered involuntarily, the<br />
luckless Pjarl would have no further need of it. Kane started to swing it round his<br />
shoulders. Hammadi stopped him.<br />
"The other garment should be removed, Lord Quetzal."<br />
Hammadi's face was expressionless. Kane slowly complied and reached again<br />
for the Kous. The reception committee watched him with an unwavering gaze. There<br />
was a kind of toggle fastening at the neck. It hung around him like a tent, down to the<br />
ankles.<br />
The method of mounting the Picun was explained by demonstration. It<br />
amounted to laying across the beast's back and quickly swinging the legs over before<br />
the stupid beast gathered its wits to move. Kane groaned mentally, apparently, the<br />
local boys shunned the expedient of tucking their cloaks under them. It promised to be<br />
an uncomfortable ride. They pulled up the hoods of the cloaks and he did the same.<br />
Dagh and Motya had shown no inhibitions about strapping the Bole to one of the<br />
spare animals - but then, they had no idea of its awesome capabilities. They were<br />
ready to move off - to where, Kane had no idea.<br />
They had been moving for a half hour or more, when he realised that he<br />
wasn't warm anymore. He had resigned himself to the thought that he would cook in<br />
the voluminous cloak - he was wrong - they were a perfect thermal protection. The<br />
Picun were slow moving, but even so, the motion still provided a circulation of air.<br />
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