Authors: John Norman
"Would you deem it a remarkable fortuity?"
"I would want to see the coin,” said Statius.
"Precisely,” said Cabot. “And that is what I did this morning, examine the coin."
"It had the same face on both sides?"
"So to speak,” said Cabot.
"Tal,” said Lord Grendel.
His greeting was returned by Statius and his human ally, Tarl Cabot.
Behind Lord Grendel, pressing closely, came the scout, Flavion.
Greetings were exchanged with him, as well.
"How go matters?” asked Cabot of Lord Grendel.
"Our plans proceed apace,” said Lord Grendel.
"You have dispatched the runners?” asked Flavion.
"Yes,” said Lord Grendel.
"It is unlikely all the bands will be located,” said Cabot.
"It will be easier for us to locate them than for the enemy,” said Grendel, “as they will not vanish before us, as before them."
"I trust that all the groups will be contacted,” said Flavion.
"Surely most,” said Lord Grendel.
"And those with power weapons?"
"We trust so,” said Lord Grendel.
"We will need as many as possible, to conduct a raid upon the palace,” said Flavion. Concern was clear in his Kur, but this concern was not, of course, evident in the dispassionate account rendered in virtue of Cabot's translator.
"Certainly,” said Lord Grendel.
"Do you know the location of the bands?” asked Flavion.
"Of some,” said Lord Grendel, “and of the others, generally. Would you like particulars?"
"No,” said Flavion. “Certainly not! The fewer who know of such things the greater our security."
"True,” said Statius. “Under torture, even a Kur might weaken. And under suitable drugs, even a Kur would speak."
"We will risk all, on this bold stroke,” said Flavion.
"Your role in this is significant, Lord Flavion,” said Lord Grendel, “for, as you know, we must have a secret gathering to marshal our forces and coordinate our plans."
"I have a place in mind,” said Flavion, “a shallow, lonely place, which will not be suspected, yet not far from the habitats, and within a brief march of the palace."
"You will have to scout its safety, and determine its appropriateness for our purposes, before we join there, and we will depend on you in this matter,” said Lord Grendel.
"You may rely upon me,” said Flavion. “If there should prove to be the least danger, or even a semblance of danger, you will be instantly informed."
"Good Flavion,” said Statius.
"Noble Flavion,” said Lord Grendel.
Lord Grendel then, accompanied by Statius, turned about, to attend to other concerns.
"You have not groomed me of late,” said Flavion to Cabot.
"May I have the honor of doing so, presently?” inquired Cabot.
"The honor is mine,” said Flavion. “But it had occurred to me that you, though human, stand high in the camp, perhaps highest amongst the humans, save for dear Peisistratus, and that I, though Kur, am lowly, and no more than a scout."
"But you are Kur,” said Cabot, “and I am only human."
"True,” said Flavion. “But I, more appropriately, I think, now command such services from certain of the female slaves of the camp, the Corinna of Peisistratus, for example."
"I have seen her, naked, combing you,” said Cabot.
"I like her naked,” said Flavion.
"That is understandable,” said Cabot. “Too, it is appropriate for her. She is a slave."
"You require such services of female slaves, do you not?” said Flavion.
"Surely,” said Cabot. “We use them to bathe us and towel us, to comb us, to dress us, to tie our sandals, which they bring to us, naked, crawling, on all fours, in their teeth, and such."
"I have seen the female of Statius humbly grooming him, as well,” said Flavion.
"She has been conquered,” said Cabot.
"A worthless she,” said Flavion.
"Statius does not think so,” said Cabot.
"Worthless!"
"She seems now content, and happy, and fulfilled,” said Cabot.
"Worthless!” repeated Flavion.
"I suspect,” said Cabot, “she would now die for him, and he for her."
"I do not understand these things,” said Flavion.
"It is simple,” said Cabot. “She is his slave, and he her master."
"But they are Kur!” said Flavion.
"All rational species have slavery,” said Cabot. “Females seek their masters, males seek their slaves."
"I see,” said Flavion.
"Incidentally,” said Cabot, “in the case of the girl, Corinna, did you speak to Peisistratus, concerning her service?"
"Should I have done so?” he asked.
"One does not put another's slave to use without his permission,” said Cabot.
"But I am Kur,” said Flavion.
"It is a matter of courtesy,” said Cabot.
"I did not know,” said Flavion. “I must hasten to apologize to Peisistratus."
"Your civility is impeccable,” said Cabot.
Flavion hesitated. “With respect to your Lita—” he began.
"Yes?"
"Would you like to recover her?"
"The trail is cold,” said Cabot. “It is no longer possible."
"But would you like to recover her, if it were possible?"
"Certainly,” said Cabot. “She is naive and stupid. She has much to learn about what it is to be a female slave. And I would not mind if she learned it at my feet."
"Perhaps you should not be impatient with her,” said Flavion. “Perhaps she did not fully understand what she was. It seems she was angry, and proud, and terribly upset, and not thinking clearly. Doubtless she felt abandoned. Desolated. In anguish. Doubtless she was swept away by her emotions. Indeed, it may have been from the very love of you that she fled."
"There are no excuses for her,” said Cabot. “She is in a collar."
"Of course,” said Flavion.
"And now she is lost,” said Cabot. “And so let us now put the worthless slut from our mind."
"Perhaps her trail might be found,” said Flavion. “What would you give for her?"
"If we were on Gor,” said Cabot, “perhaps a handful of tarsk-bits, merely to bring her again to my feet."
"She means so little to you?"
"She is only a slave,” said Cabot.
"If I knew where she was,” said Flavion, “I would not charge you so much as a single tarsk-bit."
"You sound,” said Cabot, “as if you knew where she was."
"Certainly not,” said Flavion. “But I have wondered, sometime, if it might not be possible for one to find her trail."
"Not even a sleen could trace her now,” said Cabot.
"Doubtless,” said Flavion.
"But I might be interested in recovering her,” said Cabot, “if only to have her learn what it is to be a female slave, and then, doubtless, to sell her."
"I thought so,” said Flavion.
"Do you think you might be able to find her trail?” asked Cabot.
"It does not seem likely,” said Flavion.
"Then, let us forget the matter,” said Cabot.
"Very well,” said Flavion. “But forgive me now, for I see noble Peisistratus, and I must hurry to him, to beg his forgiveness for imposing upon him, however innocently and inadvertently, in the case of his Corinna."
"Do not overly concern yourself,” said Cabot, “for she is only a slave."
"True,” said Flavion. “But, as you have reminded me, she is not mine."
Chapter, the Fifty-Fifth:
WHAT OCCURRED ON THE PLAIN
It was now some ten days later.
The runners had returned, and had met with unexpected success. To be sure, the groups were now muchly reduced, for many of the opposition to Lord Agamemnon had availed themselves, ultimately to their sorrow, of the proffered amnesty. The place of meeting had been made clear, and in accord with Flavion's arrangements. The groups then, unless otherwise informed, would meet at the place designated, which was a broad, sloping, shallow place known as the Vale of Destruction, from an incident which had occurred there more than a hundred years ago, between rival factions for the Theocracy, adherents of the Tenth and the Eleventh Faces of the Nameless One. It was now an isolated area, save for a modest memorial stele, stating the outcome of the dispute. Its location apart from the major courses of the world doubtless recommended it to Flavion. Despite its isolation, and practical remoteness, it was, however, as indicated earlier, not altogether removed from the vicinity of the habitats, and it lay within a night's march of the palace. From it, as a
point d'appui
, the palace might be attacked at the world's dawn. Certainly it seemed suitable for its purpose, and, as it turned out, this proved to be the case.
The gathering was to take place in six days.
"The arrangements have been made, have they not?” asked Lord Grendel.
"I set forth our proposals,” said Cabot. “One does not know if they will be acted upon or not."
"You did all that was possible,” said Lord Grendel.
"I think so,” said Cabot.
"I would,” said Lord Grendel, “that the burdens of command rested upon another."
"I am pleased that they repose where they do,” said Cabot. “There is no other so fit as you for these risks, and so able to bear the weight and terror of command."
"I am afraid,” said Lord Grendel.
"I, too,” said Cabot.
"I am weak,” said Lord Grendel. “Doubtless it is the human in me."
"Who knows?” said Cabot. “The human in you may prove to be a strength."
"How could that be?” asked Lord Grendel.
"Doubtless it is foolish,” said Cabot.
"I think so,” said Lord Grendel.
Lord Grendel suddenly lifted his head, and the large, pointed ears turned, as one, in a given direction, cupped, leaning forward, intent, toward the open plain, that not so far from the hemisphere of rocks, amongst which lay, concealed, a womb tunnel, indeed, that very womb tunnel in which Lord Grendel and Cabot, earlier, eluding a Kur patrol, had sought shelter.
A moment afterward Statius’ head, as well, lifted, ears erected, and turned similarly.
Cabot was with them, and the three were reconnoitering, far from their base camp. Through this area lay the route proposed for certain of the groups invited to the gathering. Several diverse routes had been delineated, largely to minimize the danger of discovery, and, in the case of discovery, to minimize consequent losses. The rebel forces were not to be concentrated until the gathering, and the subsequent march in force upon the palace.
"What is it?” asked Cabot, softly, for he had heard nothing.
Lord Grendel motioned for Cabot to come forward.
"Look,” said Lord Grendel. “But stay back, in the trees."
The three were at the edge of one of the many forested areas outside the major habitats.
Kurii tend to like cover.
From their position they could see down into a plain, and to the rocky outcroppings, and the cliffs, beyond.
"Cattle humans,” said Cabot. “You heard their bleatings?"
"Not that,” said Grendel.
"They seem to stir,” said Cabot. “They are restless!"
"Look there,” said Lord Grendel.
"I see,” said Cabot. “Humans."
"Yes,” said Lord Grendel.
"They seem to be coming out of the cliff,” said Cabot.
"As we did,” said Grendel, soberly. “They are coming out of the womb tunnel."
"Killer humans,” said Cabot.
"Yes,” said Grendel.
Cabot could see several of the humans, who moved with stealth and agility, very differently from the lethargic, shambling motions of the massive cattle humans, bred for stupidity and meat.
As Cabot watched, he saw more and more of the humans emerging from the tunnel.
"There must be twenty or more, all males,” said Cabot.
"Wait,” said Grendel. “There will be females."
"What are they doing in the tunnel?” said Statius. His body language, and the rasp of his phonemes, suggested extreme agitation.
Lord Grendel put out his paw, to restrain his confrere.
"I do not think they are harming the wombs,” said Grendel. “I doubt that they even understand them."
"Perhaps they are hunting cattle humans,” said Statius.
"I do not doubt they cull the herds when hungry, as would the minions of Agamemnon,” said Lord Grendel, “but I think they are otherwise intent at the moment."
"But they are hunting?” said Cabot.
"Not us, surely,” said Statius. “They would not know we are here."
"No,” said Lord Grendel. “Not us."
The twenty, or so, humans, now emerged from the cave, had arrested their advance, and now seemed to be scanning the plain, surveying the herd of cattle humans.
"Look,” said Cabot, pointing. “There are females. Coming out of the cave now, females!"
"Of course,” said Lord Grendel.
"They are being driven, herded, with sticks,” said Cabot. “They are naked, and roped together, by the neck."
"Certainly,” said Grendel. “They are the females of killer humans."
"See how they turn them,” said Statius, “and mill them, and they do not know what to do or how to move."
The females were then crowded together.
Sticks struck them, sharply, and they recoiled in pain, trying to turn away from the blows.
"They are crying out, in fear, and in misery,” said Statius.
"I cannot hear them, at this distance,” said Cabot.
"We can,” said Statius.
The females then, presumably at the utterance of some command, or in response to some gesture, all went to all fours, in the grass.
The men, with long, sharpened sticks, continued to look about.
"You think they are hunting?” said Cabot.
"I think so,” said Lord Grendel.
"What?” asked Cabot.
"Women,” said Lord Grendel. “Indeed, I would not be surprised if some of those women were taken from other groups, killer humans against killer humans."
"I see,” said Cabot.
Kurii, it might be mentioned, are not the only species which take the females of other groups for mates, thralls, servants, slaves, and such. It is common amongst rational species. The female has always been an attractive and desiderated object of predation. Indeed, for a male, what other object of interest can compare? Out-group females, in particular, have often been regarded as subject to barter, to sale, to capture, and such. The female has always been regarded as goods, or booty, and energetic and powerful groups have always understood this, and seldom hesitated to act upon this understanding, bringing women, or at least the more attractive women, of weaker groups, or enemy groups, when raided or conquered, to the slave markets.