Kur of Gor (77 page)

"She is a traitress,” said Flavion.

"What has she been fed?"

"She has had a pan of water, and, from time to time, has been thrown a handful of garbage."

"I see,” said Lord Grendel.

"We knew you would wish for us to keep her alive, that she might face your justice."

"You are thoughtful,” said Lord Grendel.

"I am eager to see her under the irons, the pincers and knives,” said Flavion.

"Feed her, decently,” said Grendel.

"I see,” said Flavion. “Yes! That she will be restored to health and vitality, this enabling her to better suffer, to experience more fully even the least and most exquisite nuances of agony. Too, Lord Grendel, I now understand, as I did not before, your seeming lenience to the traitress, permitting her clothing, such as it might be, the freedom of the camp, and such. It will be almost as though she were free, but she knows she is not free. Things might seem near and possible, but are far, and hopeless. To what tantalizing anxieties, to what false hopes, to what terrifying uncertainties, she will be subjected, not even knowing at what moment she will be roped and carried to the torture table!"

But then Lord Grendel had turned away, with Statius, and others, to confer on matters of policy, diplomatic and military.

Flavion went to accompany them, but Cabot bid him pause, however briefly.

"I had a slave,” said Cabot, “who has displeased me."

"I know the one,” said Flavion.

"I would like to recover her."

"Surely you do not care for her,” said Flavion.

"It is true she is only a slave,” said Cabot.

"I think,” said Flavion, “you would do much, perhaps anything, to get her back."

"Perhaps to teach her what it is to be a slave, and then sell her."

"I am a poor judge of slaves,” said Flavion, “but she is exquisitely curved, is she not?"

"She would probably sell for at least two tarsks,” said Cabot.

"That is a high price, is it not?"

"Yes."

"She fled, days ago,” said Flavion, warily. “Doubtless, by now, she has perished of exposure, or starved, or fallen to wild animals, or has been killed by Agamemnon's Kurii, for they had orders to fire on all humans."

"Doubtless,” said Cabot. “But, as I recall, you suggested that her trail might be found."

"It has been so long,” said Flavion. “How could that be?"

"Find it,” said Cabot.

"What?” said Flavion.

"Find it,” said Cabot.

"I do not understand,” said Flavion.

"Amongst your things,” said Cabot, “before the trek to the Vale of Destruction, I found a purple scarf."

"Of course,” said Flavion. “I needed such to penetrate enemy lines, and prosecute my duties as scout."

"A most satisfactory explanation,” said Cabot.

"Certainly,” said Flavion.

"And did it sometimes prove of use?"

"Yes,” said Flavion, more easily. “Several times."

"Interesting,” said Cabot.

"Why, interesting?” asked Flavion.

"You then, I take it, had contact with Kur patrols, guards, and such."

"Occasionally, inadvertently,” said Flavion.

"You were stopped?"

"Seldom, but sometimes,” he said.

"And you were not killed."

"Obviously not,” said Flavion.

"Why not?"

"I had the disguise,” said he, “the false uniform, the purple scarf."

"You would have to have had more than that,” said Cabot.

"What?” asked Flavion, stiffening.

"The signs, and countersigns,” said Cabot.

"—What do you want?” said Flavion.

"What have you to give?” asked Cabot.

A Kur smile eased the face of Flavion. “I might have much to give,” he said.

"I thought so,” said Cabot.

"The least of which might be a female slave,” he said.

"You can find her?"

"I can try,” he said.

"Do it,” said Cabot.

"I am pleased,” said Flavion, “to learn that you are a wise and practical person. I had feared otherwise. Some are not."

"We shall speak further of this tomorrow,” said Cabot.

"Very well,” said Flavion.

"Perhaps you would like me to groom you?” said Cabot.

"No,” said Flavion. “You are a trusted confidant of Lord Grendel, and stand high in the camp. I am only a lowly scout."

"Perhaps,” said Cabot, “you are less lowly elsewhere."

"Perhaps,” smiled Flavion.

"Come to the feast! Come to the feast!” called Peisistratus.

"Let us go to the feast,” said Cabot.

"Certainly,” said Flavion.

"Have you ever attended a feast served by female slaves?” asked Cabot.

"I have been served by them,” said Flavion, “as have all in the camp, but not at a feast."

"I think you will find it quite pleasant,” said Cabot. “I note that Peisistratus will have them serve typically, as they frequently do on Gor."

"And how is that?” inquired Flavion.

"Humbly, and stripped,” said Cabot.

"I see,” said Flavion.

"You will sit next to me,” said Cabot.

"I would be honored,” said Flavion.

Chapter, the Fifty-Eighth:

CABOT CONTEMPLATES A RENDEZVOUS

"Flavion is not in the camp,” said Grendel.

"He is out, doubtless attending to the arrangements,” said Cabot.

"As I understand it,” said Grendel, “I am to be betrayed into the hands of Agamemnon's agents."

"That is it, precisely,” said Cabot.

"I did not understand I was so important,” said Lord Grendel.

"You are quite important,” said Cabot.

"There are others, in other camps,” said Grendel.

"Your authority is foremost, clearly,” said Cabot. “You are leader."

"There are others,” said Grendel.

"It is the view of Agamemnon that without you the revolution will fail."

"You have this on the authority of our friend, Flavion?"

"Yes,” said Cabot.

"Interesting,” said Grendel. “And what are you to gain from all this?"

"Incidentally, a meaningless slave, of course,” said Cabot, “but more importantly the favor of Agamemnon, riches, power on Gor, such things."

"He is renewing his original offer?” asked Grendel.

"It would seem so,” said Cabot.

"His ambition is insatiable,” said Grendel, “even after the disaster of the fleet."

"The attacking navy, it seems, was repelled,” said Cabot. “Thus it may be dismissed."

It may be recalled that there were attacks, in the recent past, on the world. These had impacted the shielding, but had not penetrated to the interior of the cylinder.

"It is not like Kurii to abandon fresh meat, not when it is torn, not when it is run to ground, weakened, exhausted, panting, hot and bloody,” said Grendel.

"Nor is it like them to rush into flames or leap from cliffs,” said Cabot.

"Your own actions, of late,” said Grendel, “have provoked curiosity."

"Suspicion?” inquired Cabot.

"No,” said Grendel. “Curiosity. Why, upon occasion, have you carried meat from the camp, and returned without it?"

"It seems I made a friend, long ago,” said Cabot. “I have only recently renewed my acquaintance with him."

"A friend with a considerable appetite it seems,” said Grendel.

"No more than some Kurii,” said Cabot.

"Can you communicate with your friend?” asked Statius.

"Originally with the help of the translator,” said Cabot, “which produces recognizable Kur. Too, many commands are standard. What is most significant is he who issues the command. A command issued by one individual may be ignored, while the same command, from another, will be acted on, instantaneously. What I then did was to associate commands in Kur with commands in Gorean, and then reward only the Gorean version of the original command."

"So your friend, now, will respond only to Gorean?” said Grendel.

"He will doubtless understand both,” said Cabot, “but respond, hopefully, only to Gorean."

"And it is to your commands only that he will respond?"

"I think so,” said Cabot. “If you like, I shall introduce you, and you may test the matter."

"Perhaps another might make the test,” said Statius.

"This has been done over several days?” said Lord Grendel.

"Yes,” said Cabot. “And often I have not taken meat from the camp. A kind word, a hand knotted in the fur, affectionately, and shaken, is as effective, and seems more savored, I learn, than even roast tarsk."

"Your friend seems unusual,” said Lord Grendel.

"I do not know,” said Cabot. “I suspect, rather, it is that few take the trouble to understand such friends, let alone accord them friendship, or affection."

"I think your friend,” said Statius, “is hideous, and dangerous."

"He is in his way beautiful,” said Cabot, “as the shark, or larl, is beautiful, but it is true he is dangerous."

"I suspect your friend is quite intelligent,” said Lord Grendel.

"He has long been noted for that,” said Cabot.

"And loyal?” asked Statius.

"I fear so, even unreasonably,” said Cabot.

"I think I know your friend,” said Lord Grendel.

"He has long protected the camp,” said Statius, “has he not?"

"I think so,” said Cabot.

"How are we to proceed?” asked Grendel. “Am I to serve as bait in some trap?"

"No,” said Cabot. “I would not put you at risk."

"Is that decision not mine?"

"No, dear friend,” said Cabot. “In this instance, it is mine."

Chapter, the Fifty-Ninth:

A RENDEZVOUS TAKES PLACE

"I see,” said Flavion, stepping forth from the trees, “you have not brought weapons."

"In accord with our agreement,” said Cabot.

"My colleagues,” said Flavion, glancing to the left and right, “are armed."

"I see no colleagues,” said Cabot.

"They are there,” said Flavion. “You were to bring Grendel with you, as though hunting or on patrol, delivering him to us, at this place. Where is he?"

"Where is the slave, and gold?” said Cabot.

Flavion bent over, and one of his feet scratched angrily, suddenly, at the ground. Cabot watched, imperturbably, as leaves and dirt settled.

Cabot heard a rustle in the brush to his right.

Flavion was not the only Kur displeased.

"Do you think to insult us?” came from Cabot's translator.

"Do you think to insult me?” asked Cabot.

"We do not care to be tricked,” said Flavion.

"Nor do I,” said Cabot.

"Where is the monster, Grendel?"

"Where is the gold, the slave?” said Cabot.

"You do not trust us,” said Flavion.

"My mistrust, it seems,” said Cabot, “is abundantly justified."

"Where is Grendel?"

"I suppose, in camp,” said Cabot.

"You are making a test of us?"

"And perhaps you of me?"

Flavion brandished his rifle, one of power. “I could kill you now,” he said.

"That would not bring Lord Grendel to you,” said Cabot.

"I must consult with my superiors,” said Flavion. “Return to camp."

Cabot turned about, and withdrew.

Behind him he heard a howl of Kur rage.

Chapter, the Sixtieth:

THE WAYS OF KUR

"Our cause is lost!” exclaimed Flavion, entering the camp.

"How so?” cried Grendel, rushing forward. Others, too, rushed forward, to be apprised of whatever dire intelligence might be conveyed by their scout, Flavion.

"The men of Mitonicus have entered the theater of death,” said Flavion.

"As in the amnesty?” said Statius.

"They are true to the ways of the Kur,” said a Kur.

"Speak!” demanded Cabot.

"Speak!” demanded Archon.

"Tell them,” said Statius, “for they are not Kur."

"As you well know,” said Flavion, “the despised wretches, the arrant cowards, of the great defeat have the obligation to do away with themselves or submit to the knife, that their dismal, unworthy seed not pollute the folk. Great Agamemnon, in an act of seeming mercy, has called them to the theater, that of death, where they expect to be forgiven, and their penalties revoked, merely for joining his forces."

"That will be the end of it,” said Archon, “for we cannot long resist such a coalition."

"No,” said Lord Grendel. “It is the same trick. They have been brought there to die."

"I fear so,” lamented Flavion.

"How so?” asked Statius.

"They have been forbidden to bring weapons with them,” said Flavion.

"How is this known?” asked a Kur.

"It is common knowledge,” said Flavion. “I learned it in the habitats, which I recently infiltrated at great personal risk."

"Brave Flavion!” said a Kur.

"They filed like docile verr, slowly, in long lines, heads down, to the theater of death,” said Flavion.

"Madness,” said Cabot. “In their numbers they could balance the very forces of Agamemnon, which are intent upon their destruction."

"We are lost either way,” said Flavion. “If they are spared, Agamemnon will be invincible. If they are destroyed, all hope for our cause is doomed."

Lord Grendel was silent.

"What then, noble Lord Grendel,” said Flavion, “is to be done?"

"What would you suggest?” said Lord Grendel.

"We have no choice,” said Flavion. “We must surrender, surrender completely, wholly. We must submit to an abject, unconditional surrender."

There were moans of misery within the camp. Slave girls wept. Statius’ slave howled, and then crept to his feet, frightened, seeking comfort. He put his hand gently on her shaggy head.

"Humans will be killed, surely,” said Peisistratus.

"All rebels,” said Statius.

"No, no,” said Flavion. “We must not despair. The future is unclear. The only thing clear is that we must surrender our cause, and place ourselves at the mercy of Agamemnon."

"When,” asked Lord Grendel, “were the mariners to gather in the theater?"

"Yesterday,” said Flavion.

"Then,” said Cabot, “the thing is already resolved."