is arrival in Tanagor. At the mention of Tonda, the
priest nodded.

"The actions of Tonda have been most exemplary for the past several
seasons," he remarked. "He is a good man, but he lacks the proper spirit
of sacrifice." He concluded his writing.

"Well, then, Musa, you may go to those who sail ships with the blessing
of Kondaro upon you. I shall only caution you as to the observance of
the rites and laws for those who sail the Great Sea. Go now, in peace."

As Musa turned, the younger priest spoke. "I will lead you to one who
will give you further guidance," he said.

Musa followed him to another small room, where he met still another
priest. This man, he discovered, was a shrewd trader in his own right.
He was familiar with goods and their values, and in addition to the
rites he described, he presented definite advice as to what to take and
what to leave behind. Fortunately, Musa discovered as he talked to this
priest, he had picked very nearly as good a selection as he could wish.

[Illustration]

During the days that followed, Musa made more votive offerings,
practiced the rites ordered by the priest, and watched his goods as they
were delivered to the _Bordeklu_, a ship belonging to Maladro, beloved
of Kondaro, a shipowner whose ships were permitted by the sea god and
his priests to sail the Eastern Sea.

At last, the day arrived when Musa himself boarded the ship and set sail
past the headland of Norlar.

* * * * *

As the ship was warped out of the harbor, Musa took stock of his fellow
passengers. Among them were a slender, handsome man named Ladro, who had
been on many previous voyages to the land of the East, and Min-ta, a
native of the eastern continent, who was returning from a trading voyage
to Norlar. There were several others, but they kept to themselves,
seeming to radiate an aura of exclusiveness. Ladro and Min-ta on the
other hand, were more approachable.

_Surely_, thought Musa, _these two can teach me a great deal of the land
I am to visit, if they will_.

He walked over to the rail, where the two stood, looking out over the
shoreline. The ship was coming abreast of the great temple of Kondaro.

"It's the most prominent landmark on the island, isn't it?" Musa
commented.

"What?" Ladro turned, looking at him curiously. "Oh, yes," he said, "the
temple. Yes, it's the last thing you see as you leave, and the first
when you return." He paused, examining Mus