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Jat Or had been closer to her; and he had almost overtaken her when Iheard him
shout, Issus!
There before mewas a great world, one crescent edge illuminated
by the sun beyond it. I thought that Isaw the rope ladder move as though to the
weight of an unseen bodyascending it.
I can well believe that ourfuture depends
upon its solution. Now I shall act as a freewoman and not as a slave. I can
tell you, he said, but that does not mean that you will beable to see
them.
Perhaps she thinks it is love, I said, but it is only gratitude.
If the
formerwere true, I wanted to know it before darkness fell.
Weve got to take
Thurias force of gravity into consideration, hesaid. Now I shall act as a
freewoman and not as a slave. Imust discover if there were anyone on board.
I
am going to ground the ship beside Gar Nals, I said.
I am going to ground the
ship beside Gar Nals, I said. I could see that this pleased Jat Or, but I could
not tell about Zanda.
Then mycompanion commenced to stalk it, for all the world
like a cat stalkingits prey.
I think we should all go together, said the
girl.
You may need an extra sword hand, she replied. It was circular and
evidently occupied the entire area and evidentlythe highest level of a tower.
Later on, I called Jat Or and lay down myself to rest. You are free now,
whether you wish to beor not.
The room was gorgeous, almost barbaric in its
decoration.
He looked out of one of the round ports and then turned to the
other.
I am afraid so, I said, but we have come for that purposeand that
purpose alone.
They were unglazed, but they were barred. They bound my wrists
behind my back and jerked me roughly to my feet.
Notice, for instance, the
benches anddivans along the walls of this corridor.
As hecaught my eyes upon
him, he shook his head and smiled ruefully.
I commenced in the usual way that
one learns a new language.
I do not wish to be free, she said; but if it is
your will, Vandor,so be it. I can take care of myself, said Zanda, simply.
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