"It should be obvious by now--even to you--after seeing how the social ethic works on this planet. What did you think we were going to do when we came to Appsala--follow Snarbi like sheep to the slaughter? I have no idea what he is planning. I just know he must be planning something. When I ask him about the city he only answers in generalities. Of course he is a hired mercenary who wouldn't know too much of the details, but he must know a lot more than he is telling us. He says we are still four days away from the city. My guess is that we are no more than one or two. In the morning I intend to grab him and tie him up, then swing over to those hills there and find a place to hole up. I'll fix some chains for Snarbi so he can't get away, then I'll do a scout of the city...." "You are going to chain this poor man, make a slave of him for no reason!" "I'm not going to make a slave of him, just chain him to make sure he doesn't lead us into some trap that will benefit him. This souped-up _caroj_ is valuable enough to tempt any of the locals, and if he can sell me as an engine-mechanic slave his fortune is made." * * * * * "I will not hear this!" Mikah stormed. "You condemn the man on no evidence at all, just because of your nasty minded suspicions. Judge not lest ye be judged yourself! And you play the hypocrite as well, because I well remember your telling me that a man is innocent until proven guilty." "Well this man is guilty, if you want to put it that way, guilty of being a member of this broken down society, which means that he will always act in certain ways at certain times. Haven't you learned anything about these people yet? Ijale!" She looked up from contented munching on a _krenoj_, obviously not listening to the argument. "Tell me, what is your opinion? We are coming soon to a place where Snarbi has friends, or people who will help him. What do you think he will do?" "Say hello to the people he knows? Maybe they will give him a _krenoj_." She smiled in satisfaction at her answer and took another bite. "That's not quite what I had in mind," Jason said patiently. "What if we three are with him when we come to the people, and the people see us and the _caroj_...." She sat up, alarmed. "We can't go with him! If he has people there they will fight us, make us slaves, take the _caroj_. You must kill Snarbi at once." "Bloodthirsty heathen...." Mikah began in his best denunciatory voice, but quit when he saw Jason pick up a heavy hammer. "Do you understand yet?" Jason asked. "By tying up Snarbi I'm only conforming to a local code of ethic, like saluting in the army or not eating with your fingers in polite society. In fact I'm being a little slipshod, since by local custom I should kill him before he can make us trouble." "It cannot be, I cannot believe it. You cannot judge and condemn a man upon such flimsy evidence."