Free Kif Strike Back by C. J. Cherryh Page B

above the door proclaimed-at least the symbols looked like that. Entry prohibited, mahen letters said. Kifish service only.
     
    Gods, that would keep the tourists out.
     
    "Meeting-hall," Jik said.
     
    Kifish noise rose about them as they entered, noise from tables at either hand. There was a clatter of glasses-the smell of alcohol. And of blood.
     
    "Gods save us," Geran muttered. "Drunk kif. That's the last."
     
    Pyanfar walked ahead, rifle at carry, keeping close by Jik's side. Rhif Ehrran caught up with a lengthening of her stride. There were chairs all about of the sort Sikkukkut had used;   there were lamps and smoking bowls of incense that offended the nose and sent smoke curling up against the orange, dirty light. Kif shadows, kif shapes-kkkt, they whispered. In mockery. Kkkt.
     
    And their half-dozen kifish guides drifted ahead like black specters, clearing them a way. The muttering grew raucous. Jaws clicked. Glasses rattled with ice. There were red LED gleams about the fringes of the hall, rifle ready-lights.
     
    "It's a gods-cursed bar," Rhif Ehrran said.
     
    The crowd opened out, creating a little open space. In the midst were kifish chairs, a floor-hugging table.
     
    A kif sat alone at that table, beneath a hanging light.
     
    Its robed arm lifted and beckoned.
     
    There was a stirring all about the room as kif rose from chairs for vantage.
     
    "Sit down," the kif at the table said. "Keia." It was Jik's first name, his true one. "Pyanfar. My friends-"
     
    "Where's Tully?" Pyanfar asked.
     
    "Tully. Yes." Sikkukkut moved his hand, and kif about him stirred. There was-a mahen shout, unmistakable; a yelp of something in pain. "But the human is no longer the only matter in contention."
     
    The dark crowd parted near doors to the rear; and those doors opened. Dark shapes not kif were thrust forward and held fast-mahendo'sat prisoners, some in kilts, several the robes of station officials. One had badges of religious; importance. And a solitary stsho, pale, its gossamer robe smudged, its pearly skin stained with kifish light and smeared with dark patches. Its state was dreadful; it swayed and kif held it on its feet.
     
    "A," Jik said. "So the stsho leave Mkks got reason."
     
    "Mkks station," Sikkukkut said, "is mine. Its officials have formally ceded it to me in all its operations. Sit and talk, my friends."
     
    It was Jik who moved first, walking forward to settle himself on one of the several black, insect-legged chairs that ringed that table. Pyanfar went to Sikkukkut's other side, and set a foot on the chair seat, crouched down seated with the rifle over her raised knee and canted easily at Sikkukkut. There was one seat left. Rhif Ehrran filled it. Haral and Tirun moved up at Pyanfar's back; Khym and Geran and the rest of the Ehrran hani close about the table, with a wall of kif behind.
     
    "You let folk go," Jik said. He opened a pouch one-handed, took out a smoke and fished up a small lighter. It flared briefly. Jik drew on the stick and let out a gray breath of smoke. "Old friend."
     
    "Do you propose a trade?" Sikkukkut said.
     
    "I not merchant."
     
    "No," the kif said. "Neither am I." He made a negligent move of his hand, and Pyanfar caught a whiff of something else, something strange and hers and scared, half a breath before another white thing was shoved into view through the wall of kif. Tully crashed down with arms on the table-edge between her and Sikkukkut. "There. Take him as a gift."
     
    Pyanfar did not stir. Hunter-vision was centered only on the kif, the trigger under her finger, with the rifle against her knee. If Tully raised up too far, Tully would be in the line of fire. It was intended. She knew it was. She adjusted the knee and the rifle into a higher line. Sikkukkut's face, this time. "You want your hostage back?"
     
    "Skkukuk? No. That one is for your entertainment. Let's talk about things of consequence."
     
    Rhif Ehrran's ears had pricked. Jik let out a great