“I see the renth is not to your liking,” said he quite smoothly. “My apologies, wench, and I shall not suggest a like action again. Shall we now retire to the comm room?”
Somewhat suspicious of Phanisar did I find myself, yet I knew not where my suspicions should lie. I thought upon it as we walked to the room of the device, but nothing occurred to me. Ceralt looked quite closely upon me, though he had not again attempted to approach me. Such action should have pleased me, yet was I unsure of the presence of pleasure. Of many things did I find myself unsure, and I did not care for the feel of it.
Within the room of the device stood many armed males, among them Galiose. The High Seat appeared in great spirits, and most pleasantly did he approach us. “I was pleased to learn of the well-being of the red-haired female,” he said as he neared. “Inala, too, shall be pleased to learn of it, for my woman has much liking for the wench.”
“Do you refer to the slavewoman Inala?” Ceralt murmured, an odd look upon his face.
“A slave no more,” Galiose laughed in reply, “for she has proven herself free. She informed me quite soberly that sooner would she face death than slavery, therefore what choice had I but to free her?”
“What choice, indeed.” Ceralt laughed in agreement, and he, too, seemed pleased with Inala’s freedom. Strange were these males, to first enslave a woman, and then rejoice at her having been freed.
“In a fey or two,” continued Galiose, “we shall have further cause for merrymaking. A rider reached me but moments ago, saying that the party fetching the Silla wenches shall soon be here. My men wait most eagerly for them, for I hear they are a toothsome lot.”
Ceralt and Nidisar chuckled with Galiose, while Fayan and I looked at each other in distress. Completely had we forgotten the coming of the Silla, and a way must be found to arm our Hosta before their arrival. Most pleased would we be to face Silla with sword, yet first must the sword be found to be used.
Phanisar had gone to look more closely upon the device, and easily was it to be seen that the golden air now carried the third of the Crystals as well. I did not care for the look of the device, yet Phanisar gestured Fayan and myself the closer. With reluctance did we approach him, and the male pointed to a projection upon the side of the device.
“See you here,” said he to us, indicating the projection. “The writings speak of this as an ‘operator testing outlet,’ yet have I been able to make sense of such gibberish. It is a manner by which one may know if she who uses the device is fit. Vistren, in his insanity, did not realize that only a female may speak through the device, else we may assume that he would have taken care to see that so many females did not die. Each female in Ranistard have I tried here, saving the two now before me, and those who accompanied them, and I have found none save three who may, in dire need, be used. A light shines brightly at the touch of her who is ideal, yet naught have I gotten from the others save a feeble light. Perhaps one of you shall be the proper user, eh? Step closer, singly, and place a finger upon the knob.”
This time Fayan and I did not look upon one another, for neither of us cared to touch the device of pain. Clearly did I recall the first time I had attempted the touch of it, and not again would I attempt so foolish a thing. Even had I known that the Crystals would be mine in the touching of the device, still would I have hesitated, for with so many males about, escape with the Crystals would have been impossible.
“Come, come,” urged Phanisar with a trace of impatience.
“There is nothing to fear, and each of the others have already accomplished it. Are you two less than they?”
The accusation stung my pride, for a war leader is always first into danger. As my warriors, had already gone before me, naught was there to do save act as they. Feeling great reluctance yet showing none of it, I stepped the closer and placed my finger upon the projection, braced against the pain I expected, yet no pain did I feel at the contact. Only a faint tingling ran through me, and a light showed upon the device above the projection.
“Better than the others,” Phanisar murmured, studying the light, “yet still below the required strength. Let us try the second now.”
Fayan approached as I stepped to the side, and bolstered by my example, she touched the projection quite easily. Immediately did the light grow bright, and a cry of elation came from Phanisar.
“A true sender!” he shouted, his hand pounding upon the platform of the device. “See here, Blessed One, we have our sender!”
Galiose hurried forward, and other males as well, and much time did they spend in explanation of their wishes. Fayan was to use the device at their direction, said they, and her fondest desire would be hers for the asking. Fayan quickly came to understand that the device might not be easily used without her, and she turned thoughtfully to Galiose.
“Am I to understand that I might be forced to the use of the device,” said she, “yet my full cooperation would be much the better?”
“Aye,” nodded Galiose, “and also it would be much the wiser. You may make any request of me, within reason, and I shall see it done.”
“Might the Hosta be released from Ranistard?” she asked at once, but the firm headshake of Galiose negated the thought. “Very well,” said she, accepting the decision. “My cooperation is yours, should you agree to my alternate terms.”
“Which are?” prompted Galiose, suspiciously.
“I wish the gift of a slave,” Fayan announced quite calmly. “A slave of my own choosing.” Slowly, her eyes moved till they rested upon Nidisar, and the eyes of everyone about also moved to the male. Not a sound was uttered in the room, and Nidisar’s eyes widened and moved anxiously about.
“That is foolishness!” Nidisar protested with hollow laugh. “I am a hunter and a free man, not a slave to be given as gift!”
No reply did any make to this, and greater did Nidisar’s agitation grow. His hand moved upon his face, and Phanisar stepped the closer to him.
“Think, my boy,” said Phanisar earnestly, “of the service which would be performed by you for Ranistard! We shall speak with the gods themselves, and your sacrifice shall be remembered forever! Is such a thing not worthy of your effort?”
Nidisar gazed about weakly, stuttering, “B—but—bu—but—” however the matter was already decided. Galiose, with a shrug of resignation, gestured to two of his males, and a collar of metal was fetched and placed about Nidisar’s throat. Most miserable did the collared Nidisar seem, and I approached him with the intention of adding to his misery.
“It seems, Nidisar,” said I quite blandly, “that the spear has now been cast again. Should a slave be erect upon his feet as though he were free?”
“He should not,” came Fayan’s voice from beside me, before an angered Nidisar might reply. “On your knees, slave,” Fayan ordered, “and remain there till otherwise bidden!”
Nidisar, nearly livid with rage, stood quite straight, therefore two of Galiose’s males approached and forced him to his knees. Most amused did they seem to be at the plight of the hunter, and Fayan and I, too, laughed.
“Much the better,” I nodded at the kneeling Nidisar, seeing the strong satisfaction upon the face of Fayan. “Think you, Fayan, he requires a leash, that he might not forget himself and wander off?”
“An excellent thought.” Fayan grinned. “I shall see to it quickly, for I would not have my slave wander off. There are many things one might find to occupy a slave.”
Upon hearing her words, Nidisar closed his eyes as though in pain, for it was clear to all that Fayan meant to show her displeasure with him quite forcefully. Some small sympathy did I feel for the hunter, for I knew the strength of Fayan, yet had Nidisar well earned the punishment he was now to receive. With a grin, I left Fayan with her gift, and moved once more toward the platform of the device.