The Witches of Karres

James Schmitz

1966

Captain Pausert thought that he was engaged to be married to the daughter of one of the senior councillors on his planet. But before the engagement could be made official he had to prove himself a good trader. Something that he had yet to do! However, when he set off in his converted pirate chaser into the Empire he finds himself doing very well. So well, indeed, that he is able to take a bit of time off and look round this latest example of an imperial world.

Now, in his home republic of Nikkeldepain, slavery is highly illegal so when he finds a gent beating up his child slave, he is moved to offer a helping hand. The police turn up to break up the fight and captain Pausert finds himself facing a three-year stretch for aggravated assault. By now an old hand at the Imperial court system he knows he can probably buy himself out of the rap. The price happens to be the young slave at what appeared to be a knock down price. Thus it was that captain Pausert was introduced to Maleen. Once clear of the court she reveals that she has a couple of sisters in equally dire straights. They find the Leewit sat on the top shelf of an antiques store threatening to destroy the stock. The owner's terms are almost unbelievably good, and the captain is still eager to rescue damsels in distress, even though the Leewit is a rather cold-eyed Damsel! On to find the final sister. Goth is sitting in the remains of a jewellers shop. Apparently she is capable of moving small objects without touching them. Small things like jewels! Knowing that he's had his quota of do-gooding, captain Pausert heads back to the ship with his charges in tow. He still has something that could be called a profit, though it's going to be difficult to justify some of the expenses he's just incurred.

But will his new companions be sympathetic to his concerns? Karres, their home world, is grateful but the gifts they shower on him only bring him greater trouble back on Nikkeldepain. Can he find a way to survive in the Galaxy on his own?

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This is a Gollancz Classic Science Fiction edition

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