Therewere other planets that could prove just as interesting. If they could just cut one set quickly and without foul-ups! She wanted to get off-planet, andthis time Lars was not going to talk her into going to yet another water world. Communication crystal was always valuable. Once again theAngel, and the ever-challenging seas of Ballybran, had rescued them from the ping of crystal in their blood and the boredom of the Heptite Guild quarters.īut, by all the holies, Killashandra swore, this time they would sing good crystals-if they could possibly find that wretched lode again. The crystal they had cut before the rockslide-which had been preserved in containers sturdy enough to resist collapse-had been sufficient to pay the huge repair bill, but there hadn't been enough credit left for them to take an off-world jaunt while the refit was being done. Killashandra gritted her teeth, remembering the ignominy of having to berescued when their sled had been buried by a rockslide! Hauling the crushed sled out of the Ranges had sliced a hefty hunk out of their credit balance. She devoutly hoped that their sled was repaired and ready for the Ranges. Lars, not having sung as long as she, was in better shape but theyhad to strike a good lode of crystal on this next trip into the Ranges and make enough to get off-world for Passover, which was, once again, nearly upon them. She almost didn't want this voyage to end-and yet this kind of voyage, therapeutic though it was, was not quite enough to ease the surge of crystal in her blood. They had plenty of sea room between theAngel and the jagged stones of the shore, but soon-all too quickly-they would reach the headland and the harbor that served the Heptite Guild Headquarters. The stiff breeze had ruffled his sun-bleached and salt-encrusted hair into a crest, much like the ritual headdress of a primitive religion. But Lars alwayslooked the complete captain, especially as he was standing now-his straddled legs bracing his long lean body on bare feet against the slant of the deck, strong hands firmly on the spokes of the wheel as he kept theAngel on the starboard tack under tight sail. She was nearly as dark as he was after their circumnavigation of the main continent of Ballybran. He was and nodded, his grin showing his very white teeth against his very tan skin. She pointed to the first star of the evening in the darkening eastern sky and looked back at him to see if he was watching her.
Not that Lars Dahl could have heard her over the roar of the sea crashing against the bow of theAngel and the humming tension of the wind through the sail stays and across the sloop's mainsail. " 'And a star to steer her by,' " Killashandra Ree shouted to herself.
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