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.
"See how the women crouch down in fear,” said Lord Grendel.
"Yes,” said Cabot.
"It is not so different from Gor, is it?” asked Lord Grendel.
"No,” said Cabot. “—That is, with slaves."
"Good,” said Lord Grendel. “Slaves are to be understood as slaves, and treated as slaves."
"Certainly,” said Cabot.
"Even a Lita?” said Lord Grendel.
"Of course,” said Cabot.
"The important thing,” said Lord Grendel, “is that the order of nature be scrupulously observed, whether primitively, or enhanced with the amenities of civilization."
"Certainly,” said Cabot.
"Locked collars are useful,” said Lord Grendel.
"That way one, at least, knows to whom they belong,” said Cabot.
"Those below,” said Statius, “may be held in common, but, too, they might be individually marked, that one know their owner."
"It probably depends on the group,” said Grendel.
"It must be much easier to be a slave in civilization than otherwise,” said Statius.