Gimin I left by the door to guard the remaining male, and Larid, Fayan and I took a torch to seek the Crystal. Fully fifty paces did we walk as bidden, the stench unbelievably strong in our nostrils, the stones slimy and cold beneath our feet, and we were then faced with dilemma. Two areas to the left were presented us, the second being fifty paces from the first of the metal cell doors, and nothing was there to do save search the both. The first area to the left, twenty paces down, showed an empty cell and nothing else. No Crystal was there within it, therefore we proceeded to the second of our choices; however, the opening of the door showed the cell inhabited. Chained to the wall, cringing from the light of the torch, sat what once had been a male. A gibbering sound came from the bloated skin and bones of him, and difficult was it to see how he remained alive. No hair was there upon him, nor a covering, yet covered was he with indications of the teeth of scarm. But half of his feet and hands had he, and too, what might be seen of his face showed the feeding of the scarm as well. Larid gagged at the heightened stench and turned away to empty herself; the proper course of action was clear to me. As quickly as I might, I ended the misery of the wretch, and little was the blood which flowed from him. The needful seen to, we began to look about, and most grim were my feelings toward the High Seat of Bellinard. No honest death did he propose for those who offended him, and much would I have enjoyed the return of his actions in kind. The fattened male was unfit for any save the chains he decreed for others.
Nearly did our search end in vain, for the Crystal was not to be seen within the confines of the cell. Again and again, I pondered where it might be placed, and then my eyes fell upon the flow of water through the stone of the wall. Where the water struck the floor, a cavity had been formed, and within the cavity, the water seemed much cloudier than that of the first cell. Quickly, I moved to the cavity, and within the water did my fingers touch what we had sought. I drew it forth, fearing it had been harmed by so long a submersion in water, but it did not show a single flaw. The Crystal, unharmed, was then in our possession, and I placed it within the small sack hung about my neck for the purpose, and gratefully did we leave the cell to the dead.
Most relieved was Gimin by our return, and once again, we ascended to the air which might be breathed without effort. The male in our midst was silent and fearful, for his weapons had once again been taken, and well he knew his usefulness was at an end, yet are Hosta not without a sense of gratitude. The male had served truly and well, therefore was he merely returned to where the other lay, and bound as was the other, both being gagged against sound which they might wish to make. Binat seemed pleased with something, which gave me to believe that she had used the male she guarded in our absence, but that was unimportant. We took ourselves from the dwelling with care, and joined the silence and shadows of the darkness. We passed through the city unseen and unheard, and at last stood upon the ground without the gates of Bellinard, our freedom intact, the last of the Crystals within our hands. High was our elation as we made for the caves where Inala waited, and much was the laughter we shared when once away from the walls of the city. Larid, as well pleased as were we all, still seemed a bit pale from the visit to the cell, yet when I spoke to her of it, she only grinned. Again was she with child, she informed me, and that was the reason for her illness. At such tidings were we all much pleased, for well might her illness indicate the child would be female. Another Hosta in the making was ever a cause for joy, and happily did we at last approach the caves.
The caves lay above the level of the ground, and were reached by a narrow trail which led between the stand of rock. By habit did we ascend the trail with caution, yet was the caution insufficient for our safety. In the darkness there was lack of all sound and sign, and quite silently did the nets fall upon us from above. Wildly and furiously, we struggled to reach our weapons, yet the males were upon us before that might be accomplished. With the speed of prior thought were our weapons taken, and then were we dragged within the caves themselves. Torches flared all about us then, and before our eyes stood Galiose and Telion, and Ceralt, and Nidisar, and others of the males of Ranistard. Inala lay bound and gagged in a corner, misery clear in her eyes, and Galiose laughed quite heartily and stepped forward.
“What lovely fish we have netted.” He grinned, examining us where we stood in the grip of males. “Is there, perhaps, other treasure to be found in out nets?”
The males about me removed the net, and then was the Crystal taken from me, the leather of the sack in which it lay cut from about my neck. Galiose peered within the sack, assured himself of the presence of the Crystal, and then wrapped the leather of the sack about his hand.
“Excellently done.” He nodded in approval, indicating that the remaining nets were to be removed. “Quite sure was I that you would have small difficulty acquiring possession of the Crystal, did you but think it was about to fall to us. You all shall be rewarded for your efforts in behalf of your city, and we shall all return there with the coming of the new light. You may now rest and feed yourselves.”
With great satisfaction he turned away, and I found that the illness of the depths had returned to me. No sign of the males’ travel had we found before us, for the males had traveled in our track, not before us. Naught had they known of the location of the Crystal, simply had they stood aside and allowed the witless Hosta to fetch it for them. Deep disgust did I feel at myself, for I had been gulled as easily as a child, and not soon would the shame thus given me again be taken away.
“I am much relieved to see you unhurt,” came a soft voice, and I raised my eyes to see Ceralt before me. The hunter grinned with great pleasure and placed his arms about me, yet his lips upon mine found no response. Although deep had been my concern for his safety, he had used me to gain possession of the Crystal for Galiose, telling me of his journey merely to send me to Bellinard. Of small worth are city males, and again had the lesson been taught me. Without a word, I pushed from him, and walked to where Inala lay bound, tears streaming from her eyes. Shame seemed to be upon her, as though she were true Hosta warrior, though the matter was beyond any effort of hers. Nothing could she have done in the presence of so many, and this I explained when I had released her. She and I and my warriors sat together in silence, taking no note of the presence of the males, refusing them the least of glances. Well betrayed had the Hosta been by the males who had claimed them, and nothing further might any save Mida do upon the matter.
Rapid was our return to the city of Ranistard, for Galiose wished to place the third Crystal with the others. Bound upon their kand were the Hosta, and Inala as well, for we had attempted escape the first fey upon the trail. Each of us had chosen a direction in which to ride, thinking that some, at least, would win free, yet the numbers of the males had destroyed such hope. Each of us was pursued and quickly caught, and then returned to the line of march. The leather was placed angrily upon my wrists by Ceralt, and I cared naught for his anger. No word nor look did I address to him, though many times he attempted to speak with me, and Larid, too, did much the same with Telion. Fayan alone merely did as she had done with Nidisar, and Nidisar seemed somewhat pleased that Ceralt and Telion too found themselves ignored.
The darkness I passed at Ceralt’s side, his lenga pelt and mine placed close together, yet he found little response to his touches and caresses, and soon he ceased all attempts at either. The two hunters, Ceralt and Nidisar, and the warrior Telion, rode together through the light, the leads to our kand in their hands, misery upon their faces. All had been shown the Hosta opinion of them, and none found the opinion attractive.