And now, Sanoma Tora, I said, for a few moments,
goodbye! They can have peace if they want it as far as I am concerned, I said. We
werealone and on foot in a strange and, doubtless, an unhospitable country,U-Gor!
They can have peace if they want it as far as I am concerned, I said. Then I raised
the hatch and stepped to the sill.
In an instant I realized that a master hand was
wielding that blade.
Grumbling, he opened one of the keel hatches and
very unceremoniouslydropped me through it. Even these poor degraded creaturespossess
human emotions. I could scent the wounded vanity in her tone. I made him rise and
walk to the window and there I assisted him to thesill. Then I returned to the
closet where Tul Axtarlay bound and gagged. If such a one exists, I mused, but
sheinterrupted my meditation with a question. No; she would suffer, of that Iwas
sure; but that thought gave me no pleasure.
Even these poor degraded creaturespossess human
emotions.
Then write what I dictate, I instructed
her.
With it weshould have no difficulty in eluding all
dangers between here andGathol. Was Sanoma Tora, a slave, less desirable to methan
Sanoma Tora, daughter of the rich Tor Hatan?
I loved her and I couldnot even now wish her
unhappiness.
It is madness to think that two of us could
leavewithout being detected.
Tavia, I could not wish to die while you
live.
How might one thus burdened have time forthoughts
of love? SanomaTora crouched against the wall, apparently overcome by
terror.
How far we traveled or in what direction, I did not
know.
That puts an end to this place, I said to Tavia,
telling her what Ihad seen.
How far we traveled or in what direction, I did not
know. Perhaps they do not care to share the fate of their fellows,
shesaid.
They were too faraway for me to be able to do more
than identify them as human beings.
It was not the apartment of a Jeddara; it was a
little better than thecell of a slave. His courtiers will not return until he
summons them, I reminded her.