“Among them, “ I Said, “Rask of Treve.”

She stiffened. “ I served him well,” she said. “I was given no choice. It was he who branded me.”She tossed her head. “Until then, many masters had regarded me as too beautiful to brand.”

“They were fools,” said Samos. “A brand improves a slave.”

She put her head in the air. I had no doubt that this was one of the most beautiful women in Gor.

“It is because of you, I gather,” said she to me, “that I have been permitted clothing for this interview. Further, I have you to thank, I gather, that I have been given the opportunity to wash the stink of the pens from my body.”

I said nothing.

“The cages are not pleasant,” she said. “ My cage measures four paces by four paces. In it are twenty girls. Food is thrown to us from above. We drink from a trough.”

“Shall I have her whipped?” asked Samos.

She paled.

“No,” I said.

“Rask of Treve gave me to a panther girl in his camp, one named Verna. I was taken to the northern forests. My present master, noble Samos of Port Kar, purchased me at the shore of Thassa. I was brought to Port Kar chained top a ringin the hold of his ship. Here, in spite of my birth, I was placed in a pen with common girls.”

“You are only another slave,” said Samos.

“I am the daughter of Marlenus of Ar,” she said proudly.

“in the forest,” I said, “it is my understanding that you sued for freedom, begging in a missive that your father purchase you.”

“Yes,” she said. “I did.”

“Are you aware,” I asked, “that against you, on his sword and on the medallion of Ar, Marlenus swore the oath of disownment?”

“I do not believe it.” She said.

“You are no longer his daughter” I said. “You are now without caste, without Homestone, without family.”

“You lie!” she screamed.

“Kneel to the whip!” said Samos.

Piteously she knelt, a slave girl. Her wrists were crossed under her, as though bound, her head was to the floor, the bow of her back was exposed.

She shuddered. I had little doubt but what this slave knew well, and much feared, the disciplining kiss of the Gorean slave lash.

Samos’ sword was in his hand, thrust under the collar of her garment, ready to thrust in and lift, parting the garment, causing the robes to fall to either side, about her then naked body.

“Do not punish her,” I told Samos.

Samos looked at me, irritably. The slave had not been pleasing.

“To his sandal, Salve,” said Samos.

I felt Talena’s lips press to my sandal. “Forgive me, Master” she whispered.

“Rise,” I said.

She rose to her feet, and stepped back. I could see that she feared Samos.

“You were disowned,” I told her. “ Your status now, whether you know this or not, is less than that ofthe meanest peasant wench, secure in her caste rights.”

“I do not believe you,” she said.

“Do you not care for me,” I asked, “Talena.”

She pulled the riobes down from her throat. “ I wear a collar,” she said. I saw the simple, circular, gray collar, the collar of the house of Samos, locked around her throat.

“What is her price?” I asked Samos.

“I paid ten pieces of gold for her,” said Samos.

She seemed startled that she had sold for so small a sum. Yet, for a girl, late in the season, high on the coast of Thassa, it was a marvelous price. Doubtless she had obtained it only because she was so beautiful. Yet, to be sure, it was less than she would have brought if expertly displayed on the block in Turia or Ar, or Ko-ro-ba, or Tharna, or Port Kar.

“I will give you fifteen,” I said.

“Very well,” said Samos.

With my right hand I reached into the pouch at my belt and drew out the coins.

I handed them to Samos.

“Free her,” I said.

Samos, with a general key, one used for many of the gray collars, unlocked the band of steel which encircled her lovely throat.

“Am I truly free?” she asked.

“Yes.” I said.

“I should have brought a thousand of gold,” she said. “As daughter of Marlenus of Ar my companion price might be a thousand tarns, five thousand tharlarion!”

“You are no longer the daughter of Marlenus of Ar,” I told her.

“You are a liar,” she said. She looked at me contemptuously.

“With you permission,” said Samos, “ I shall withdraw.

“Stay,” said I, “ Samos.”

“Very well,” said he.

“Long ago,” said I, “Talena, we cared for each other. We were companions.”

“Irt was a foolish girl, who cared for you,” said talena. “ I am now a waoman.”

“You no longer care for me?” I asked.

She looked at me. “I am free,” she said. “I can speak what I wish. Look at yourself! You cannot even walk. You cannot even move your left arm! You are a cripple, a cripple! You make me ill! Do you think that one such as I, the daughter of Marlenus of Ar, could care for such a thing? Look upon me. I am beautiful, Look upon yourself. You are a cripple. Care for you? You are a fool, a fool!”

“Yes,” I said bitterly, “ I am a fool.”

She turned away from me, robes swirling. Then she turned and faced me. Slave!” she sneered.

“ I do not understand,” I said.

“ I took the liberty,” said Samos, “ though at the time I did not know of your injuries, your paralysis, to inform her of what occured in the delta of the Vosk.”

My right hand clenched. I was furious.

“I am sorry,” said Samos.

‘It is no secret,” I said. “It is known to many.”

“It is a wonder that any man will follow you!” cried Talena. “ You betrayed your codes! You are a coward! A fool! You are not worthy of me! That you dare ask me if I could care for such as you, is to me, a free woman an insult! You chose slavery to death!”

“why did you tell her of the delta of the Vosk?” I asked Samos.

“So that if there might have been love between you, it would no longer exist,” said Samos.

“You are cruel,” I said.

“Truth is cruel,” said Samos. “She would have to know sooner or later.”

“Why did you tell her?” I asked.

“That she might not care for you and lure you from the service of those whose names we shall not now speak.”

“I could never care for a cripple,” said Talena.

“It remained yet my hope,” said Samos, “ to recall you to a lofty service, one dignified and of desperate importance.”

I laughed.

Samos shrugged. “ I did know until too late the consequences of your wounds. I am sorry.”

“Now,” said I, “ Samos, I cannot even serve myself.”

“I am sorry,” said Samos.

“Coward! Traitor to your codes! Sllen!” cried talena.

“All that you say is true,” I told her.

“You did well, I understand,” said Samos,” in the stockade of Sarus of Tyros.”

“I wish to be returned to my father,” said Talena.

I drew forth five pieces of gold. “This money,” said I to Samos, “ is for safe passage for Ar, by guard and tarn, for this woman.”

Talena drew about her face her veil, refastening it. “I shall have the monies returned to you,” she said.

“No,” I said, “take it rather as a gift, as a token of a former affection, once borne to you by one who was honoured to be your companion.”

“She is a she-sleen,” said samos, “vicious and ignoble.”

“My father would avenge that insult,” she said, coldly, “ with the tarn cavalries of Ar.”

“You have been disowned,” said samos, and turned and left. I still held the five coins in my hand.

“Give me the coinsd,” said talena. I held them in my hand, in the palm. She came to me and snatched them away, as loath to touch me. Then she stood and faced me, the coins in her hand. “How ugly you are,” she said. “ How hideous in your chair!”

I did not speak.

She turned and strode toward the door of the hall. At the portal she stopped, and turned. “In my veins,” she said, “flows the blood of Marlenus of Ar. How revolting and incredible that one such as you, a coward and betrayer of codes, should have aspired to touch me.