Free Downward to the Earth by Robert Silverberg Page A

spirit."
    “Was it offensive to you that an Earthman danced among you?"
    “If it had been offensive,” said Vol'himyor slowly, “you would not have danced among us.” There was a long silence. Then the nildor said, “We will make a treaty, we two. I will give you permission to go into the mist country. Stay there until you are ready to come out. But when you return, bring with you the Earthman known as Cullen, and offer him to the northernmost encampment of nildoror, the first of my people that you find. Is this agreed?"
    “Cullen?” Gundersen asked. Across his mind flared the image of a short broad-faced man with fine golden hair and mild green eyes. “Cedric Cullen, who was here when I was here?"
    “The same man."
    “He worked with me when I was at the station in the Sea of Dust."
    “He lives now in the mist country,” Vol'himyor said, “having gone there without permission. We want him."
    “What has he done?"
    “He is guilty of a grave crime. Now he has taken sanctuary among the sulidoror, where we are unable to gain access to him. It would be a violation of our covenant with them if we removed this man ourselves. But we may ask you to do it."
    Gundersen frowned. “You won't tell me the nature of his crime?"
    “Does it matter? We want him. Our reasons are not trifling ones. We request you to bring him to us."
    “You're asking one Earthman to seize another and turn him in for punishment,” said Gundersen. “How am I to know where justice lies in this affair?"
    “Under the treaty of relinquishment, are we not the arbiters of justice on this world?” asked one nildor.
    Gundersen admitted that this was so.
    “Then we hold the right to deal with Cullen as he deserves,” Vol'himyor said.
    That did not, of course, make it proper for Gundersen to act as catspaw in handing his old comrade over to the nildoror. But Vol'himyor's implied threat was clear: do as we wish, or we grant you no favors.
    Gundersen said, “What punishment will Cullen get if he falls into your custody?"
    “Punishment? Punishment? Who speaks of punishment?"
    “If the man's a criminal—"
    “We wish to purify him,” said the many-born one. “We desire to cleanse his spirit. We do not regard that as punishment."
    “Will you injure him physically in any way?"
    “It is not to be thought."
    “Will you end his life?"
    “Can you mean such a thing? Of course not."
    “Will you imprison him?"
    “We will keep him in custody,” said Vol'himyor, “for however long the rite of purification takes. I do not think it will take long. He will swiftly be freed, and he will be grateful to us."
    “I ask you once more to tell me the nature of his crime."
    “He will tell you that himself,” the nildor said. “It is not necessary for me to make his confession for him."
    Gundersen considered all aspects of the matter. Shortly he said, “I agree to our treaty, many-born one, but only if I may add several clauses."
    “Go on."
    “If Cullen will not tell me the nature of his crime, I am released from my obligation to hand him over."
    “Agreed."
    “If the sulidoror object to my taking Cullen out of the mist country, I am released from my obligation also."
    “They will not object. But agreed."
    “If Cullen must be subdued by violence in order to bring him forth, I am released."
    The nildor hesitated a moment. “Agreed,” he said finally.
    “I have no other conditions to add."
    “Then our treaty is made,” Vol'himyor said. “You may begin your northward journey today. Five of our once-born ones must also travel to the mist country, for their time of rebirth has come, and if you wish they will accompany you and safeguard you along the way. Among them is Srin'gahar, whom you already know."
    “Will it be troublesome for them to have me with them?"
    “Srin'gahar has particularly requested the privilege of serving as your guardian,” said Vol'himyor. “But we would not compel you to accept his aid, if you would rather make your journey