“They are busy with the hounds and with talking,” the boy said. And then, “Will you kill him?”
“I’d enjoy it.” Trehearne touched Yann again with his foot. “You tried it that other time, too, didn’t you? God damn it, answer me! Didn’t you?”
Coughing, his face against the floor, Yann muttered, “Yes.”
“You crept up behind me, between those growths. You pulled my air-line loose and ducked before I could turn around. You went to a lot of trouble. Why did you save my life?”
Yann groaned and retched. “I’m sick.”
“You’ll be sicker.” Trehearne got him by the hair of the head, standing carefully and watching for any sudden move, and dragged him half erect. “Sit up and talk like a man. Why did you undo all your good work? You could have let me die right there.”
Yann shook his head. “You were bl
