Son of the Tree / The Houses of Iszm (Ace Double, 77525)

Two early novellas are gathered here, both set among the strange worlds and rival powers of Jack Vance's imagination. In the first, Joe, a young man from Earth, finds himself marooned on Kyril, a world of peasants and religious devotees who revere a huge tree. Soon he is caught up in a chain of upheavals centred on a small potted plant that may hold great significance. The second follows Aile Farr, a botanist from Earth who visits the Iszic, a courteous people who have long controlled a valuable trade in living houses. Suspected of plotting to steal one of their creations, he finds himself in a delicate contest of wits with his hosts. Both stories are full of schemes, politics and clever invention.