The Crystals of Mida

7 Escape—and a price is met

My eyes opened quickly to the arrival of Bariose and the female Karil, to find that my warriors already sat awake and alert. Stiffly, I struggled up that I might sit, seeing Larid, Binat and Comir together by the wall of the enclosure, Fayan a distance apart from them. No word did we speak to one another, for all had already been said.

The released slavewomen went quickly about their work, their reduced number affording more tasks to fewer workers. We sat and watched and waited, and soon there came the reek of the mixture, heated within the large, metal pot. When the small wooden pots were brought to us, I continued to sit as I was, yet did Larid and Binat and Comir, in obedience to my instructions, glance at one another, and then rise hesitantly to make their way to the mixture. As though angered by their actions, I, too, rose to my feet, and stood stiffly.

“What do you do?” I demanded coldly of them, causing them to pause before the pots. “Such as that is not to be fed upon!”

“But, Jalav, our hunger is great!” pleaded Larid, whose liking for pretense was deeper than that of the others. “Surely, naught save the leather shall be gained by refusal to feed!”

“We shall not do as they bid us!” said I, firm in my beliefs. “Return to your places, and do not leave them again!”

“No!” Larid cried, and then fell to her knees before a pot. “I must feed!”

She turned to the mixture as Binat and Comir, nodding in fearful agreement, also knelt. In a rage, I sprang to them, kicking them from the pots as they begged and pleaded to be allowed to feed. The armed males were already at the enclosure, already entering it, before I understood that Fayan, rather than joining my other warriors in supposed rebellion, was instead at my side, aiding me in keeping them from the pots. Too late, then, was it for her to be removed with them, too late that she might also escape.

An armed male placed himself before me as another aided my warriors in leaving the enclosure. I attempted to pass him, in my anger, to reach those who would feed upon the offerings of enemies, but his outstretched arms restrained me. He laughed at my struggle, placing himself so that his body touched mine, yet not putting his hands upon me. Fayan merely stared in fury, and soon were she and I alone in the enclosure. Larid, Binat, and Comir knelt without, at the feet of Bariose, and wept in their misery as they had seen slavewomen do. Tears come hard to Midanna, yet in the service of Mida, all things are possible.

“I would know what was done to you,” said Bariose to them, a frown upon his face. “Fighting between slaves is forbidden!”

“She would not allow us to feed!” wept Larid, her face raised to his. “I do not wish to be beaten, yet she will not allow us to obey you! We fear her anger and may do nothing against her, but I do not wish to be beaten! Protect me, and I will obey you as you ask!”

“Do these others feel the same?” asked Bariose, thoughtfully. At the urgent nods of Binat and Comir, he, too, nodded. “Very well,” said he. “For my protection, I shall have obedience in all things. You shall kneel in my presence, and kneel, also, to your Mistress. You are to obey her now, and later there shall be other things for you to obey in. Go now to her, and beg to be put to work.”

Gratefully did Larid, Binat and Comir rise to their feet and hurry to the female Karil, kneeling before her. They would do what was required of them, no matter how debasing, for I had explained that Bariose, thinking them eager for his protection, would likely use them to please those males of note who came to the open area, pleasing himself, too, in the thought of their capitulation to him. Should it not happen this fey, it would happen the next, for I was certain that it would happen. Should it not happen within three feyd, they were free to act as they would.

Bariose looked upon me with satisfaction, thinking that he had stolen my warriors from me, and I did not disabuse him. He and his males turned to other things then, and I looked upon Fayan, who stood innocently by my side, avoiding my gaze.

“The word of the war leader no longer has weight?” I asked quietly, studying her innocence. “What do you do here, beside me, rather than with your sister warriors?”

“Surely, Jalav has forgotten!” said she, her eyes wide with sincerity as she turned her face to me. “Your word was for the others, and I was to remain with you! Thus would the matter seem truer to the enemy, and therefore strengthen the chance of the others! Does Jalav think I would disobey the war leader?”

I smiled and looked toward my warriors who knelt before the female Karil. Their wrists had been unbound by males, and refastened before them, so they might work at what tasks were given them. Even so small a thing was victory, and perhaps Fayan was right.

“No,” I said softly, bringing my eyes again to Fayan. “The warrior Fayan, in her courage and pride, would not disobey the war leader. I am pleased to have you beside me, sister.”

“It is my proper place,” said she very simply, a smile in her eyes. We moved from the metal then, seating ourselves without speaking, and soon, perhaps, Fayan regretted her choice. Four males came to again force the mixture upon us, and the struggle was not pleasant. I found much pain in the grip of the male who held me, for I was held with my back against him. Almost did I feel relief when the last of the mixture was within me, and I was returned to the enclosure. Fayan’s face showed her disgust at being forced to swallow the vile concoction, and I would have smiled at her expression, had mine not matched hers. Larid, in her role playing, came to laugh at our discomfort, her wrists held plainly so that we might see her partial freedom. Her laughter held more true amusement than I cared for, as she and the others seemed to have been overlooked with regard to the mixture, therefore was I pleased when a male passed behind her and struck her sharply below the small of the back, to remind her of her work. She almost turned on the male in anger, yet remembered in time what she was about, and then followed meekly after him. Fayan and I laughed then, and heartily, for such actions needed not be ours.

Soon came the time that we were removed from the enclosures, and nearly did I watch with hope as my warriors were led through the door. When the males came for Fayan and me, I fought as though reluctant to be put again within the tiny enclosure, although truthfully I was desperate to see what had befallen my warriors. I could not halt to look about as I was dragged to the enclosure and thrust within, yet when I turned, furiously straining against the metal, there knelt my warriors before the wall, wrists tight before them, heads down, shoulders bowed—unenclosed! Surely, Mida had seen our plight and had answered her daughters!

The hind passed as had the others, with many coming to stare at what was held by the enclosures. Again did some offer a “price,” which, I gathered at last, was an attempt to trade for me, yet none could see the matter done. Males of note had come too, and my warriors accompanied them as though loath to be parted from them. Pleased were these males by their presence, and pleased, too, were the males of Bariose by their actions. They ran, and knelt, and smiled, as though true slave.

The light was almost at its highest when the moment came. The last male of note departed the area, a familiar touch upon Binat marking his departure, and all of my warriors now knelt by the wall, none save two armed males within reach of them. They raised their heads to seek my agreement, and I nodded, silently wishing them Mida’s favor. Larid and Binat rose slowly, leaving Comir to stand as though undecided, and quietly they each approached an armed male. The males gestured impatiently for them to return to their places, but were watching those who walked before the enclosures; my warriors seized the swords of the males before the males had knowledge of it, and, but an instant later, the males lay in their own spreading blood.

Screams and shouts arose, city folk ran hither and yon, armed males found their movements blocked by those who screamed and shouted, and my warriors turned and raised their bloody swords and arms, shouted, “Jalav!” then quickly disappeared through the gate to the left. Their salute pleased me nearly as much as their escape, for they would now attempt to move as the zaran moves through the forest, silent and deadly and unseen, finding or forcing a place to hide themselves till the darkness, and then they would make their way over the wall to true freedom. I threw my head back and laughed, Fayan joining my laughter, and laughed even further at the fury which gripped Bariose. He shouted to his males to pursue nearly frothing like a well-run kan, and then drove the city folk from the area, seeing the gates locked once more. Few were the armed males remaining behind, and those few replaced us all in the wide enclosures, none being allowed their freedom, none being placed upon the platforms. Fayan and I were well pleased, and sat within our enclosure patiently, waiting for the passage of the hind. Should my warriors remain free till the fall of darkness, none there would see them again.

The return of the armed males—weary and alone—gave me cause to thank Mida for her kindness. My warriors had regained their freedom, and the Hosta would now surely continue in search of the Crystal. Larid carried my final word to Gimin, should the new war leader not yet have departed, and all would be seen to. The males were angered and concerned with their own feeding, and no slavewoman was released to tend the great, metal pot, therefore were we spared the necessity of swallowing any more of the mixture. The slavewomen of other enclosures wept and begged to be given the opportunity to feed, yet were Bariose and the female Karil too wroth to heed them. They and their males departed, much agitated, and Fayan and I composed ourselves for sleep, pleased that our own capture might soon be ended. The deaths of two of their number would be remembered by the males, and quickly would their blades strike in retaliation when Fayan and I chose to press them. That sleep I dreamed of the Realm of Mida, and was much gratified.

When Bariose and the female returned Fayan and myself were awake and awaiting them. The slavewomen were released to see to their duties, and quickly indeed were those duties seen to. As the slavewomen scurried about, hastening to the time that they might heal their hunger, Bariose came to our enclosure and halted before it. No trace of his fury remained, and he smiled coldly at me.

“I regret to inform you that your traitorous friends were unfortunate enough to be found,” said he; and folded his arms. “They were dealt with as are all escaped slaves, and now lie beyond the wall, feeding the creatures of the forests and fields. You may now tell yourself that their deaths are upon you who urged their attempt. But for you, they would still live within these walls.”

“I thank you for your words, male,” said I, surprised that he would honor me as the cause of my warriors’ freedom. “Perhaps I have misjudged your actions in the past. I am pleased to be told of my warriors, and shall repay the favor, should I find myself able to do so.”

“What words do you speak?” he demanded, the smile gone, confused. He grasped the metal of the enclosure. “Do you not understand what I say? Those others have been found and killed!”

“Your words are clear.” I nodded, frowning. “My warriors now stand with Mida. May they shine forever in her presence.”

“Truly are you savage!” he said, staring in disbelief. “You care naught even for your own kind!”

He then took himself swiftly away, seemingly disturbed over some matter. Perhaps it rankled that my warriors were no longer within reach of his leather. Fayan and I looked at each other, then bowed our heads in memory of three fine warriors who had escaped their enemies.

Not long were we left to memory, for the mixture was brought and again fed to us. The males were impatient, considerably harder than they had been in their handling of us. No understanding had I of their actions, nor had Fayan. Had not the spilled blood of their brothers been avenged?

The light was sharp when we were placed within the enclosures in the open space, yet was I easily able to see that no slavewoman knelt by the wall. Fayan and I grinned at one another, in amusement at the foolishness of males, who believed that slavewomen might emulate the actions of warriors. Soon were those at the gates allowed entry, and then began another time of examination.

Long since was I without patience for the mindless city folk who walked and gawked and was attempting to see what there was to be seen from the gate to the right, when Fayan’s gasp riveted my attention. She stared toward the gate to the left, her eyes and mouth wide, and when my gaze followed hers, I, too, felt a bit open-mouthed. Striding in was a pleasantly unconcerned Nidisar, yet that was not what surprised me. Beside Nidisar, as though friends of long standing, walked the sthuvad of the Hosta home tents, he of the red-gold hair called Telion, and the unnamed, dark-faced, light-eyed leader of the hunters, who had been in the capture of my warriors! The three came directly toward our enclosures, wide grins upon their faces. They came to gloat over the capture of Jalav, I knew, and therefore I stood a bit straighter in my enclosure. I would not lower myself before them and add to their pleasure, yet did Fayan seem pale where she stood, though her head was high. That she was disturbed, I could well understand.

The three males stepped closer to our enclosures, Nidisar before Fayan, the others before me. The dark hunter, I saw, was nearly of a size with the sthuvad, yet I had not known that. The times I had seen him, he had either been sitting down, lying down, or standing alone. Now he stood beside this Telion, and they both inspected me closely.

“A fair piece of female flesh, Telion,” said the hunter, regarding me critically. “What think you of her?”

“Passable, Ceralt,” nodded the sthuvad, also eyeing me. “A bit too spirited perhaps, yet passable.”

“I rather fancy this one,” mused Nidisar, his attention close upon Fayan. She calmly returned his stare, her face still pale.

“Shall we buy a woman to serve us?” asked the hunter, Ceralt, of the sthuvad, Telion. “There is a thing or two I might find to occupy a slave.”

“Perhaps it would be best to look farther,” responded Telion doubtfully. “Surely, she is not the best to be had among the lot. In her youth, she would doubtless faint at the demands a man would put to her.”

No wish had I to give sign that I had heard him, yet did my head come up even farther at his words, in anger. Ceralt, the hunter, merely laughed.

“I feel sure,” said he, “that she is capable of learning to please a man. Yet, perhaps, in fairness to ourselves, we should look farther. Do not stray, pretty bird, for we may yet return. Do you accompany us, Nidisar?”

“If you wish,” nodded Nidisar, “although I have found the slave I shall buy.” His eyes returned to Fayan, and he grinned. “Await me here, golden slave, for I shall return shortly for you.”

The three males strolled away, carefully examining the female occupants of enclosures, and I watched but a moment before turning to Fayan. I expected to see in her the same fury I, myself, felt at their ridicule, yet was she following Nidisar with almost-frightened eyes, her back hard against the rear of the enclosure.

“Fayan, what ails you?” I frowned, not understanding her behavior.

“Jalav, he must not return for me!” she whispered, clearly upset. “I could not bear it!”

“They merely make sport of us,” I said, beginning to feel concern for her. “I am sure they have not the—price—with which to trade. Fayan, has something occurred of which you have not spoken?”

“Something, indeed,” replied Fayan heavily, her head and eyes low. “When we were taken by the males in that place of hunters and renth, my sword did not drink beside yours, Jalav, for my sword was no longer mine. It had been taken, with me, by this Nidisar.”

Surely was it a fortunate thing that I could not then speak, for my words would have done credit neither to myself nor to Fayan.

“I knew not what would befall me, till it had occurred,” she continued miserably. “I stood with a pot of renth in my hand, laughing at the thought of throwing daggers, as both male and warrior were near to being unable to see the wall which was to be thrown at, when I was seized from behind. I thought to teach the male who held me the folly of touching a warrior without her permission, but I was unable to free myself from his grasp! Never had I thought that a male might be possessed of such strength! I was carried, unable to reach my weapons, through a doorway and to a very small room, where my sword and dagger were taken from me. When released, I turned quickly to see who the male might be, and was angered to observe this Nidisar, sliding a bolt of metal which held the door closed from within.”

Her eyes again raised to mine, and she pleaded for understanding. “Jalav, I fought him!” she said with intensity. “I fought him as best I could, yet did he see to me easily! He took my clan covering, and threw me to the lenga pelt, and when I continued to attempt resistance, he slid a small part of the wall aside, and withdrew a configuration of chains, which he then forced upon me! In Mida’s name, I swear it was impossible to resist such a device! He held to it as he took me, forcing me with pain to move as he wished! Never have I felt such terrible pain, not even when clawed once by a lenga when on the hunt! I—obeyed his commands to keep the pain from me, rather than endure it as a warrior should. I am not worthy to be called Hosta, for I have shamed myself and my clan. Should he return for me, I shall force the males to slay me, rather than be shamed again.”

Her eyes were again upon the floor of her enclosure, her pain and shame easily felt. I longed to have my arms free, so that I might place a hand of encouragement upon her shoulder.

“Fayan, a warrior may not be condemned for something she cannot change,” I said softly. “Mida is able to see within us, and surely she has seen your strength. You may reclaim your honor with your death—should that be necessary.”

Her head raised again, confused. “You speak as though you think the act unnecessary.” She frowned. “As I have been shamed, how would it be unnecessary?”

“I have little true understanding,” I said thoughtfully, merely a strange feeling. Mida allows that which she wishes, and always for purposes of her own. Could this, all which has befallen us, be in accordance with Mida’s will, to achieve her purpose? Have we, her warriors, been demanded service of, service which would not ordinarily be given?”

“How may one know?” asked Fayan. “Should such be the case, we are not free to allow our lives to be taken!”

“There is one way to know.” I grinned, pleased with the possibility. “Should further service be required of us, Mida will not allow us to be slain.”

“Truly spoken!” laughed Fayan, seeing the self-evidence of this. “We have merely to try, and should we fail, we shall know that we have succeeded in answering our question!”

“We must try when we are returned to the large enclosure,” I said. “No longer is there reason to remain here, should it not be Mida’s wish.”

Fayan nodded, no longer disturbed by shame, and I looked high, to see the position of the light. Shortly would we be returned to the closed-in area, and then we would find the means to attack.

Abruptly were my thoughts taken from the skies with the return of the three males, Nidisar, Ceralt and Telion, in the company of a fourth male, one who saw to those in the enclosures. The males stopped before us, and Ceralt gestured toward Fayan and myself.

“Have you no others aside from these?” he asked the male of Bariose. “I had heard that a full five were taken.”

“The others attempted escape, and were slain,” the male answered stiffly. “Are you merely curious, or do you wish to buy them?”

Ceralt, Telion, and Nidisar exchanged strange looks, and then Ceralt cleared his throat. “As the others are slain, we shall indeed take these,” said he. “My friend and I wish the black-haired one, my brother hunter shall have the one with golden hair.”

“Easily said,” snorted the male, seemingly in annoyance. “Had I a copper piece for each of those who wished to own these two, I, myself, would have their price. They are set at forty silver pieces each, a price which is fast. Do you wish to look again upon the other female slaves available?”

“No,” responded Ceralt evenly, to my surprise, and also to the surprise of the male. “We wish to buy these two, and have the price which was set. To whom must we speak?”

“I will show you to Bariose,” said the male, his annoyance lost beneath a smile of pleasure. “He will provide their papers, and I will then personally see to their leashing. Come this way.” The males then walked off, and Fayan and I looked upon one another.

“Perhaps they act unknowingly for Mida,” she ventured, when I said nothing.

“Perhaps,” I agreed somewhat doubtfully, “though such is certainly not my hope. They have little love for Jalav, nor cause for such. We must make our attempt as soon as may be.”

Her agreement was heartfelt and complete, and we awaited what would next eventuate. The city folk within the area were escorted to the gates, the gates closed behind them, those within the enclosures removed, and still we were not approached. I began to think that we would be left as we were, when the armed male who had left earlier reappeared, in the company of three other armed males. They carried lengths of leather, and approached our enclosures directly.

“You are now the property of others,” said the first male, as he and another opened the enclosures. “May they find as much pleasure in forcing gruel upon you as we have.”

As his hand reached up for my arm, I borrowed the attributes of my life sign, the hadat, and snarled and leapt. Fayan, with the swiftness and ferocity of her own life sign, that of the keren—a child of the wild which often stood upon two legs to hurl its mighty mass in attack-kicked at the opening door of her enclosure, and sent the male before it sprawling to the ground. Swiftly we were among the males, attacking with teeth, showing no mercy, and surely, had not otherwise been Mida’s will, we would have been as swiftly slain. Filled with fear were the males, yet were their hands stayed from their weapons. We were struck, each of us, with the hilt of a dagger, hard enough to daze, yet not so hard that death would surely result. The males, breathing heavily, then pulled us from the ground, attached the leather which they carried to the collars about our throats, and tied the free end of the leather to the legs upon which my enclosure stood. The leather was tied so closely, however, that Fayan and I were forced to remain on our knees, a bit-bent over. We raised our aching heads to one another, our bodies scratched and bruised from the stones of the ground, and then grinned broadly. Mida watched her warriors closely, so that further service might be rendered.

A mere handful of reckid was it before footsteps heralded the approach of others. Fayan looked past my shoulder and nodded, indicating the presence of the three who had come to claim us. The footsteps stopped, and an exclamation of surprise came from one of the males.

“What has been done to her?” demanded the voice of Telion, so close that his shadow fell upon me.

“She was beaten for disobedience,” responded the voice of the armed male, he who had spoken with them earlier. “The lash was covered, therefore shall the welts fade quickly. It is now your decision as to whether her future whippings shall mark her or not.”

“I shall not use a lash on a mere girl,” said Telion stiffly. “A strip of leather will suffice for any disobedience she may care to attempt.”

“You are a fool!” The male laughed bitterly. “A fool in thinking she is a girl, and a fool in paying good silver for her. Those two are savages, and, like savages, shall tear your throats out! I would not have them as a gift!”

“They were not offered you as a gift,” came the calm voice of Ceralt. “You may now open the gates for us.”

The male made a sound of disgust and moved away, and Fayan and I were untied from the legs of the enclosure. Ceralt held the leather to my collar, Nidisar taking that of Fayan, and Nidisar looked upon Fayan’s back as he pulled her to her feet. Pleased did he seem that no welts marked her, and she looked upon him curiously, as well one might when looking upon a tool of Mida. Telion grasped my arm firmly in his hand, and thus were we taken to the opened gate and through.

Many were the city folk we passed, as we walked from way to way among the dwellings. I had thought anything preferable to the enclosure I had been kept in, and truthfully, the ways did seem broader than previous, yet did the feel of a city seem wrong to me, so close and crowded and dirtied was it. We came to a way narrower than most, dirtier than most, and more peopled than most, and ragged city males came forth, holding up various objects to be seen, urging those objects upon the males who led us. The males cared naught for these objects, cuffing away those who offered them. Others came too, to be cuffed away in turn, yet these others offered nothing in their outstretched hands. A deformed lot were they, some without eyes and some without arms or legs, and they lacked more than eyes or limbs. Once had I fought Lidin, famed war leader of the Summa clan, bitter blood enemies to the Hosta. Lidin had fought well, nearly taking my life, yet had I succeeded in taking her sword arm with my blade. She had stood before me, her arm and sword on the grass between us, her blood pouring forth to feed Mida’s ground, a smile upon her paling face.

“You fight well,” she had said, her head held high. “I salute you, war leader of the Hosta.”

Then had she gone to her knees, her wound taking its toll, yet had she lost none of her dignity. Had she lived, though possessed of but one arm, still would she have been a warrior of note, for she retained her dignity. Those about us, with hands outstretched, would surely have been deformed even had they all of that which they lacked-for they lacked dignity most of all.

At last were we urged within a dwelling upon that way, a small, dirty dwelling, one among many. The opening door showed us a dim room, no more than seven paces by eight, which contained naught save a few platforms, with lower platforms beside them. The bare wooden walls contained few candles, and none save two large ones were lit. Nidisar led Fayan to one of these platforms, Ceralt and Telion close behind him, and Nidisar seated himself upon one of the lower platforms.

“Kneel there,” said Nidisar to Fayan, pointing to the floor by his feet. Fayan looked upon him in confusion, yet Ceralt nodded in agreement.

“And you,” said Ceralt to me, seating himself as had Nidisar, though opposite to him. “The floor is a fit place for a slave.”

Briefly I studied Ceralt as Telion took his place at the platform to the left of Ceralt, and then I shrugged. As I had no wish to make use of the platforms, I crouched where I stood near Fayan, but this was not what Ceralt wanted. Hard did he pull upon the leather tied to my collar, and I fell to my knees, nearly pitching flat upon my face, for my wrists were still bound behind me. Ceralt held tight to the leather, nearly crushing my throat with the collar, so that I had to kneel.

“That is the position you are to take,” Ceralt informed me evenly as I knelt upon the filthy floor, facing the platform. “I shall be pleased to give you whatever instruction you require, so that you may become an obedient slave.”

“Well spoken,” cackled a voice as I glared up at Ceralt in a rage. An aged, unbelievably obese slavewoman waddled to the platform, her yellowed-gray hair cut shorter than a male’s, her head nodding in approval. “So spoke my man, bless him, when he lived,” she cackled again. “Many was the time he gave me what-for, for daring to give him backtalk. I was as wild as that one, and aye, as pretty, too, yet he tamed me proper. The first time he bedded me, I knew him for more than my match, and how fine it was, having him prove it. Now, young men, what may I serve you?”

“Renth,” answered Ceralt with a smile. “Three flagons of the best renth you possess.”

“And two bowls of water for the slaves,” added Nidisar, pulling Fayan down to her knees beside me. “We would not wish to forget the slaves.”

“Indeed not.” Telion grinned, leaning forward to inspect me. “There are many things concerning the slaves which we would not wish to forget.”

“To which of you does she belong?” asked the slavewoman of Telion and Ceralt, scratching at her side.

The two males laughed, then Ceralt reached forward to take my face in his hand.

“She belongs to both of us, old mother,” said he clearly. “My friend and I own her, share and share alike. We have many things in common, we have found, therefore do we own her in common.”

“That is not wise,” clucked the female, her head shaking as she turned to leave. “Two men may share many things, yet a woman is not one of them. I shall fetch the renth.”

Slowly then did she make her way across the floor and to a doorway. “This establishment is excellent for private discussions,” said Nidisar in a low voice as the female disappeared through the doorway. “Few come here any longer, and the old mother dozes when she does not serve. We may have the rooms on the floor above for a few coppers, and may leave the city with the new light with little difficulty.”

“Which brings us to the question,” said Ceralt, looking sternly upon me, “of where those females of yours might now be. I shall have the truth from you, Jalav, so do not think to put me off!”

“The hunter has seen them much more recently than I,” I commented, returning his look in sudden amusement. “Why does he not return to where they were?”

“I have!” Ceralt shouted, his fist clenched, and then he regained control of his tone. “I have,” he repeated more softly, “in the company of fifty hunters from this city! They were not where I had left them!”

“Nor was there sign upon the ground to show where they had gone,” put in Nidisar, somewhat in annoyance. “I find it difficult to believe that five score of women and a score of captured hunters may disappear as easily and completely as that.”

“They are warriors, not slavewomen,” I laughed to Nidisar, pleased that Gimin led my warriors well. “You would find no sign were there twice the number of Hosta and captives.” Then I looked again at Ceralt. “How is it that you were released?” I asked. “I do not believe you were able to escape.”

His face darkened a bit, and his hand gripped the leather more tightly. “I was released upon the whim of the girl Gimin!” he snapped. “She informed me that she was not able to send her women to the city, but there was nothing to prevent her sending me to inquire about you! She also gave me her word that should I betray their position, I would never again see the men of my hunting party! When I returned, quickly and with suitable numbers, they were gone!”

“Would you have had them await your attack?” I asked in amusement. “Rest assured that you were watched closely, and that your return was well noted. My warriors are no longer near Bellinard.”

“Of that I am already aware,” said Ceralt, slowly and angrily. “What I wish to know is where have they gone? Have they returned to their home?”

“Or have they continued on to Ranistard?” put in Telion, his face also tight with anger. I smiled faintly.

“Gimin is now war leader of the Hosta,” I informed them. “Therefore, the movements of the Hosta are now hers to discuss. I have no knowledge of them.”

Fayan made a small sound of amusement, yet were Telion and Ceralt taken with rage. Ceralt slid his fist along the leather to my throat, and pulled me closer to him, so that I might more easily see the blaze in his light eyes.

“Do not toy with me, girl!” said he, a rasp in his voice, his face very near to mine. “You are now my property, and none may interfere with whatever I do to you. I will know the whereabouts of my men, or you shall know the meaning of true pain!”

“Ceralt may do as he wishes,” I said huskily, finding it difficult to breathe with his hand within the collar. “I know nothing of the whereabouts of the Hosta, and I am prepared to join those of my warriors who earlier found freedom from this city.”

Ceralt was silent a long moment, then his hand withdrew from my collar. Released, I fell back upon my heels and knelt there, breathing more easily than I had been able to. When I looked about, the males seemed more than sobered, and Nidisar’s hand touched Fayan’s hair.

“Are they truly slain?” asked Nidisar of me, his eyes serious and filled with pain. “Larid, and Binat, and that infant Comir. How could such come to pass?”

“They were fortunate enough to escape the walled area,” I said. “The male Bariose later informed me that they were found and slain. That they were not recaptured shows that Mida cares for her warriors.”

“Such talk is for ignorant savages!” snapped Telion. “Far better that they were recaptured and sold, than that they lie dead and unmourned! I can scarcely credit the heartlessness of the Guard of this city, Ceralt! To slay mere girls, so coldly and out of hand!”

“Their heartlessness is not in question,” said Ceralt thoughtfully. “I have heard many things said of this Bariose, and kind-heartedness was not one of them, yet neither was wastefulness. It has come to me that should the girls have been retaken, they would have been well lashed before the other slaves, as a lesson and warning. To merely slay them not only served no purpose, but was wasteful as well. Their prices are now forever lost.”

“Then that may mean—they still live!” said Nidisar, his face now creased in smiles. “They live and have escaped!”

“And Bariose seethes,” also laughed Telion. “He has claimed their deaths to save himself the embarrassment of admitting their escape!”

“It seems these Hosta females are the cause of much embarrassment everywhere,” observed Ceralt, as Fayan and I looked upon one another in gladness. Our sisters had escaped, and still lived to serve Mida! “However,” continued Ceralt, “I know of two Hosta females who shall no longer cause embarrassment.” Again I looked toward him, and he leaned forward a bit. “With the new light, Jalav, do we travel to Ranistard, for there I believe I shall find your females—and my men. We shall then trade your lives for theirs, your freedom for that of my men. You had best hope they still live when we reach there.”

“We go to Ranistard?” asked Fayan, looking from one to another of them. When Ceralt nodded, she threw her head back and laughed as though touched, and I, too, laughed so, for we had discovered that our enemies were determined to force us to that place where we most fervently wished to go! Truly, Mida watched over us, directing our steps and allowing us to serve her!

“You’d best see they get none of this renth!” said the aged female, returning with a board upon which stood three tall pots. She looked upon Fayan and myself in disapproval, disapproving, also of the bewildered expressions upon the face of the males. “I know not what you have been giving them, yet there are limits even with the use of slaves! Slave or no, such innocent young girls should not be taken advantage of!”

The males, too, burst out in laughter, which further annoyed the aged female. She was about to turn and leave in indignation, when Nidisar spoke.

“A moment, old mother!” he called, his face flushed with laughter. “We apologize for our behavior, and give you our word that no renth shall be given to these-innocent young girls. Are we forgiven?”

“And how may I not forgive three rascals such as you?” quarreled the aged female. “Was my man not one such as yourselves? I shall now fetch the water for the slaves.”

She again took her leave, and the three males fell to their renth. I, myself, would have done well with a swallow or two; though that was not forthcoming. The males often moved their eyes to us, yet Fayan and I were offered none of the renth, nor was the leather attached to our collars forgotten. The ends were tied to the legs of the taller platform, thereby allowing the males greater freedom for drinking.

Deep pots of water were brought for Fayan and myself, which we ignored, yet were we not to be left in peace. The aged female paused behind me briefly, then waddled out, only to return, long reckid later, with a wooden pot of something that had a strong herbal odor.

“Her back must be seen to,” proclaimed the female, standing above me. “The welts are bad enough, and the cuts must not be allowed to fester. Who is to do it?”

“I shall see to it,” replied Ceralt. He rose from the platform and took the pot, then moved behind me.

The touch of his hand nearly made me gasp, for what the pot contained burned against my back. Quickly I shifted about, sitting flat upon the floor, to face Ceralt. The hunter was annoyed by my abrupt movement, yet the aged female placed her hand upon his arm.

“The salve is not soothing,” said she, no smile upon her heavy, wrinkled face, “yet must it be applied. You may weep as you need to, girl, but you may not refuse it.”

“I do refuse it,” said I, not kindly. “I wished nothing from city folk, yet have I received much. I am as I am, and would continue so undisturbed.”

“Your wants are no longer to be considered,” said Ceralt, and he crouched before me. “Turn again, so that the salve may be applied.”

I regarded him as steadily as I had regarded Bariose, though I knew that this time the lash would touch me deeper. Almost did I regret the need for further service to Mida, as I responded, “No.”

Ceralt was annoyed, and sounds of vexation came from the aged female and the sthuvad, Telion. The aged female stepped a bit closer, to peer down at me.

“My man would have had her howling for a hin,” said she with a shake of her head. “As she is the belonging of you two young men, which shall it be? A beating or the balm?”

“The balm,” said Telion without pause, rising from his place at the platform. “Let us tie her to a bench, Ceralt ”

“A good thought,” said Ceralt, rising from his crouch, and he and Telion moved a smaller platform closer from another place. When the platform stood almost before me, the two males pulled me from the floor by the arms.

“Lie face down upon the bench and grasp it with your arms,” directed Ceralt as he worked at my wrists. Even as he spoke, the metal fell away from me, yet was I unable to bring my arms forward, Telion, holding the leather to my collar, took my left arm as earlier, the metal no longer there to prevent movement, and I was unable to prevent a gasp at the pain.

“What is it?” asked Telion, a frown creasing his face. “What caused you to pale in such a manner?”

I did not respond to him, shamed that I had given sound to what was, after all, a minor thing, and Ceralt came and stood beside him, also frowning toward me, thoughtfully.

“How long were you cuffed so?” Ceralt demanded after a moment, his eyes narrowing. Telion seemed startled, and then looked more closely upon me also.

“I know not,” I responded, my shrug adding somewhat to the pain. “What does it matter?”

“What does it matter, she asks!” exploded Telion to Ceralt, gesturing with the hand about which was wrapped the leather. “She thinks us like those of your High Seat’s Guard!”

“One may say much and show naught,” replied Ceralt with a shrug. “Until my men are released unharmed, and your city lies secure from attack, we shall be like the High Seat’s Guard. See to her left arm”

He then took my right arm, moving it slowly yet deliberately forward, and began to rub it, causing the feeling to return with a rush of stabbing needles. Telion did the same with my left arm, and I was unable to pull away from the pain they caused. They held tight to me and rubbed, more and more vigorously, and I saw that Fayan received the same from Nidisar. Fayan struggled in Nidisar’s grasp, yet the hunter with the reddish hair rubbed her arms with a will, using the leather from her collar to assist him in holding her.

When my arms could again be moved somewhat, Telion and Ceralt led me to the low platform they had prepared, and forced me down upon it, my cheek to the smooth wood. The leather to my collar was wound about the platform and my neck, holding me tight in place, and other leather, brought by the aged female, tied me to the platform at waist and knees, insuring that some effort would be necessary before I might free myself. My arms were left unbound, yet little good did it do me. My arms were still weak, and the eyes of Telion and Ceralt did not leave me.

Ceralt applied that which was in the pot to my back, then did he and Telion return to their platform, leaving me as they had placed me. My back again burned with pain, yet this time I had not shamed myself. Nidisar spoke with the aged female of rooms to be had, and Ceralt spoke with her of food to be had. In all things was the aged female agreeable, and she brought a large, tall pot of renth from which the males might pour for themselves, conversing pleasantly as they awaited their provender. Nidisar had not rebound Fayan’s arms, therefore did he keep one hand tight in her hair as she knelt, in anger, beside him.

The hind passed slowly and fruitlessly, although I learned the how and why of the males being together. Nidisar, as a brother hunter of Ceralt, had accompanied him, with others, as they sought my warriors. Upon their bitter return to the city, they had learned of the presence of a stranger, one who asked of strange-seeming women, large, armed women, who wore almost no clothing. They had found the stranger, he being Telion, and had been told that Telion sought these women he spoke of because he believed they intended attack upon his own city of Ranistard. He sought them in Bellinard, for he had heard mention of Bellinard before the departure of these women from their tents, and wished to see if he might stop them before they rode upon Bellinard.

Nidisar knew the whereabouts of my warriors and myself, for he had been fully informed of it after Pileth’s males had taken us. He had not been upon the scene to see the thing for himself, for he had attempted to keep Pileth’s males from taking Fayan, and had therefore been rendered unconscious by them. He had been of a mind to come for us when we had been declared slave, yet even the trade of his precious wristlet had not produced enough of the silver pieces to meet the price of more than one of us. Telion, however, with the bright stones given to sthuvad upon their release, and Ceralt, with a lenga pelt given him by Gimin for trade, should it be needed, had small difficulty in securing sufficient of the silver pieces to meet the price of each of us. It was in their minds to trade my warriors and myself for Ceralt’s males, plus an assurance that Ranistard would be left untouched, and they had been surprised to find three of my warriors gone. They still thought to use Fayan and myself for the same purpose, but they did not know how Midanna think. My warriors would not turn aside in their search for Mida’s Crystal merely for the life of their war leader, and none of the Midanna would expect them to. In truth, should my warriors have done so, I would have spat upon them, and no longer called myself Hosta.

Darkness was close to descending when the aged female appeared with food, and surely did my mouth water at sight of the roast lellin, awash in its own grease, as it was placed before the males. Other things were they given as well, such as vegetables cooked in a broth, and dark slices of ground and baked grain, and the males fell upon it all with relish. Fayan and I watched as they feasted, for none was offered to us to feed upon. The males finished most of it, then were they reminded of the presence of others. Nidisar leaned back from the platform in satisfaction, gazed fondly upon Fayan, then took a piece of the lellin between his fingers.

“Nearly did I forget my golden slave,” said he, reaching toward Fayan with the lellin. “Here, little slave, now you may eat.”

He put the lellin to Fayan’s lips as she opened her mouth silently, and then he howled and snatched his hand back as Fayan’s teeth sank, not into the lellin, but into his hand. My warrior had done as I would have, and Telion and Ceralt were greatly amused.

“Do not forget that their meat need not be cooked,” laughed Ceralt to an angered Nidisar, as Nidisar attempted to shake the pain from his hand “Perhaps uncooked flesh truly tempts them more greatly.”

“I, myself, am greatly tempted,” said Nidisar, gazing darkly upon a smiling Fayan. “When last I was so tempted, I could do naught for it, yet now the female belongs to me.” He then released the leather to Fayan’s collar from the platform, and took her by the hair as he stood. “Come, little slave,” said he, pulling Fayan from the floor by her hair. “We have a matter to see to, you and I, and when next you are fed, you shall know which the food is.”

He pulled her from the room, she struggling futilely in his grasp, and Telion and Ceralt laughed at their departure, and then looked upon me.

“You may not eat save from the hand of Telion or myself,” said Ceralt, sipping at his renth. “Will you eat so, or do you prefer going hungry?”

“Hunger is no stranger,” said I, unable to move even slightly upon the platform. “I am no slavewoman, to feed from the hand of a male.”

“We shall see what a closer acquaintance with hunger does for your views,” said Ceralt, and then turned to Telion to ask, “Shall we throw for first?”

“I was about to suggest the same, myself,” answered Telion with a grin. “Thus far, we have had no service from our slave.”

“That shall not continue,” said Ceralt, as he and Telion rose from the platform. The two approached me and removed the leather from waist and knees, and then was I pulled to my feet, and tied to the wall. My hands, for the first time free since I had been taken, immediately went to my throat and the metal of the collar. Ceralt saw the movement and smiled.

“You may pull at the collar as you wish, girl,” said he, looking down upon me. “It shall open for none save your masters.”

He and Telion then each produced a dagger from a sheath worn at his belt. “Do not move, girl,” cautioned Telion, “else the blades shall reach you rather than the wall. Take first cast, Ceralt.”

“With pleasure.” Ceralt grinned, then sent his dagger flying toward me. I stood as I had stood during the clan test for warrior courage, neither feeling nor showing fear, and the dagger took the wall beside me to the left, less than a male’s hand from my head. The two males laughed then, with pleasure and approval.

“Well thrown,” said Telion, his hands upon his dagger. “And well stood, too. Now comes my throw.”

His blade flew to the other side of my head. Upon the sound of its meeting the wall, Telion laughed again as Ceralt frowned.

“Yours is clearly the closer,” grumbled Ceralt, his fists upon his hips. “First use is yours.”

“I have waited long for this,” said Telion with satisfaction, and then I turned quickly and reached for Ceralt’s dagger to my left. My hand, wrapped about the hilt, had scarcely drawn it from the wall when the males were upon me. Ceralt held my left arm as Telion took my right, and a twist from his hands caused the dagger to fall from my grip.

“Slaves do not touch weapons,” said Telion, his hands still hard upon my arm. “There will be punishment for the attempt.”

“Jalav is no slave,” said I, returning his look. “There shall be other daggers.”

“Not for Jalav,” said Ceralt, reaching up to release the leather that bound me. “Take her now, Telion. Full darkness has fallen, and we must be away with the new light.”

“So we must,” agreed Telion, taking the leather from Ceralt. By the collar about my throat was I pulled along behind him, the collar which would not remove itself at the urging of my fingers. Not since it had first been placed about my throat had the collar felt so tight.

Telion pushed through the door which the aged female had used, and I saw a small area with two farther doorways and steps to the left. Up these steps did the male pull me, to a very dim place of another two doorways. We entered the second. Within was a small room, perhaps three paces by three, which contained a single small candle upon the left wall, a window closed tight with wood in the far wall, and a very wide mat upon the floor to the right. Telion pulled me from the doorway by the collar, and then slid a bar of metal across the door, which allowed it to swing neither in nor out. Then I was taken to the mat to the right, and pushed to the center of it. Above the center of the mat, quite low on the wall, there protruded a circle of heavy metal, to which Telion tied the leather of my collar. With this done, Telion stood again above me.

“You took great pleasure in denying me your body,” said he softly as he began to remove his covering. “Of all the females presented me, it was you I most wished to have. Now you may not deny me.”

The feeble candlelight glinted upon his red-gold hair as he moved, and the metal would not allow me to slide my hand free. “Jalav has not given you her body,” said I, “nor shall she.”

Telion laughed quietly as he bent again to the mat, the muscles beneath his skin moving smoothly to his motions. “It is not necessary that you give,” said he, grasping my ankles to pull me flat. “You are a girl, and young, and have much to learn of men. It is the male, not the female, who is best at taking.”

I fought him as I could, yet was my clan covering removed, baring me to his eyes. The sight pleased him mightily, the sight of Jalav, helpless beneath his hands. Beyond my control did he heat my blood, gloating as I writhed before him. His hands and lips upon my body brought moans from me, yet beneath it all, there was deep misery within me. A war leader must not receive from a male, yet must I now receive, to further serve Mida’s demands. Oh, Mida! You truly ask much of a daughter you love! Telion cried out, and then took me, the weight of his body crushing me to the mat. Never before had I felt a male’s body so, the strength of him taking all I possessed, his arms tight about me, his lips hard against mine. Again and again did he take me, as though still in the grasp of the sthuvad drug, and when at last I was released, truly might it be said that I was well used.

Telion rose to his feet, replaced his covering, and then unbarred the door and left without comment. Little strength was there left to me, as I lay upon the rough mat, my hair, which had been released from the war leather, spread out about me. Much had Telion joyed in my hair, stroking it with his fingers, grasping it in his fist. A woman’s hair was made for the touch of a man, he had said, and then had he buried both hands within it, holding me so for his lips. Had my hair not grown to the glory of Mida, surely would I have shorn it to less than that of the aged female.

There was again a sound at the door, and my eyes beheld the entrance of Ceralt, who paused to slide the bar in place before coming to stand above me by the mat. I stared up at his sober face, and silently begged Mida to spare me further shame.

“I see no warmth in your greeting,” said Ceralt, his hand slowly opening his covering. “Have I a stone before me, who must be warmed to life?”

I made no answer to his question, and he threw aside his covering, and sank to his knees upon the mat.

“You are truly lovely,” said he, as he knelt above me. “In the forest, I dreamt of seeing you so, open and soft before me. Yet I now see that you have been hard used, Jalav. Ask that I leave you unmolested, and perhaps I shall.”

I could not clearly see his eyes in the dimness, yet I knew that they rested square upon me. I swallowed the sour taste within my mouth, and forced myself to silence. “Very well,” he said, and then lay himself beside me to take me in his arms. “Perhaps this is best, for I have heard it said that captives must be much used by their captors. You shall be much used, Jalav, for that you have my word.”

His arms were strong about me, his body hot upon mine, and I found I could not resist him. He brought forth my heat again, raised it high, then quenched it with his own. His word was good, and much used was I by him, far beyond my own need. When he was done with me, he rose to unbar the door and extinguish the candle, then he returned to lie beside me in the darkness, his arm about me as he prepared for sleep. Strong was the odor of him upon me, and still could I feel the manner in which he had taken me. Tightly did I hold to the memory of the Crystal of Mida, for without it, surely would I have shamed myself further. I had cried out to him as he took me, and he had laughed at my weakness, and then had taken me more fully. Ceralt’s breathing grew even in sleep, and I moved as far from him as I might, wishing myself again in Bariose’s keeping. Bariose, though hard, had only used leather upon me.

A short time later the door was again pushed open, and the form of Telion entered quietly. In the darkness he made his way to the mat, removed his covering, and also lay beside me. His hand touched me briefly before he lay still to seek sleep, and my eyes closed in misery, caught there as I was, between my enemies. I knew not what would be required of me in Ranistard, yet Mida knew, and also did she know my strength. Surely she would not allow me to be used beyond my strength. Surely it would not be so! My eyes did not wish to open again, therefore did I, too, seek sleep.