"You are a free woman,” said Cabot. “It is not necessary for you to ask permission to speak."
"I am not supposed to speak,” she said. “My tongue may be torn out."
"Who says so?” asked Cabot.
"Lord Flavion,” she said.
"I see,” said Cabot.
"Despite his public demeanor,” she said, “I think he is my only friend."
"Secretly, of course?” said Cabot.
"Yes,” she whispered, looking about. “He dare not reveal his concern for me."
"I see,” said Cabot.
"And Grendel,” she said, bitterly, “is my secret foe."
"I doubt that,” said Cabot.
"It is true,” she said.
"You have that on the authority of Flavion?” said Cabot.
"Lord Flavion,” she said.
"I see,” said Cabot.
"I am beautiful, am I not?” she asked.
"Yes,” said Cabot, “quite beautiful."
"I am a free woman,” she said. “I will use my beauty. I will dangle it before men, and entwine them in its toils, and they will obey me, unquestioningly, for gifts as small and costless to me as a glance or smile."
"You know what should be done with you, do you not?” he asked.
"What?” she asked.
"You should be put on a block and sold,” said Cabot.
"Kiss me,” she said. “No one is looking. I will permit it."
"Kneel there,” said Cabot, who then turned his back on her, and went forward to join Lord Grendel and Statius.
On the way he met Flavion.
"You think quickly, for a human,” said Flavion.
"Thank you,” said Cabot, and continued on his way.
Chapter, the Sixty-Second:
THE CONVERSATION IN THE REDOUBT
"We may speak here,” said Flavion.
Cabot was on watch, at one of the forward outposts. He had a power weapon at this place, but it was not assigned to him but to the post itself.
It was four days following the accosting of the human female, the Lady Bina, in Lord Grendel's camp.
"Yes,” said Cabot.
They were alone in the small redoubt, but the ground they surveyed also fell within the purview of two similar redoubts.
Each watch in each redoubt contained either a human and a Kur, or two Kurii. Flavion had arranged to be posted with Cabot this night.
"I still have much to offer,” said Flavion.
"Oh?” said Cabot.
"You were very troublesome earlier, in the camp,” said Flavion.
"What need would you have had for me,” said Cabot, “if you had had the war won in a night, with the ambush amongst the habitats?"
"You are very clever,” said Flavion.
"I fear far less clever than you,” said Cabot. “Had the secret march been undertaken, victory would have been Agamemnon's. And, if it was not undertaken, many in Grendel's forces would be convinced that it should have been undertaken, and thus the standing of the generalship of Grendel is reduced."
"Your subterfuge of omens was transparent,” said Flavion, “an obvious stratagem to buy Grendel time."
"You are certain it was a subterfuge?"
"We consulted with several of the men of Peisistratus,” said Flavion.
"It proved useful at the time,” said Cabot.
"That must be admitted,” said Flavion.
"It seemed to me wise to appear to favor the cause of Grendel,” said Cabot.
"You are aware that many favor a frontal assault on the habitats?"
"That would be madness,” said Cabot.
"Perhaps,” said Flavion, “but many feel that it is now the only chance for victory, and despise Grendel for not ordering the assault."
"And in the abeyance of such an order seeing him as timid, even cowardly."
"Certainly,” said Flavion.
"You have done your work well,” said Cabot.
"It would be useful if Grendel were removed,” said Flavion.
"Have you not planned for that,” asked Cabot, “by demonstrating his concern for the welfare of the much-hated traitress, the Lady Bina, his defense of her against the human, Cestiphon, and urging her trial, conviction, and execution, confident that Grendel would defend her, and thus die with her?"
"He delays the trial,” said Flavion, “and he is still too much respected in the camp to be gainsaid in the matter."
"But this does further undermine his stature,” said Cabot.
"Certainly,” said Flavion. “But it is too slow."
"Agamemnon is impatient?” said Cabot.
"His patience is not endless,” said Flavion.
"And how may I figure in your plans, and for what recompense?"
"When the forces hesitate to acclaim me commander,” said Flavion, “I want your support."
"I am so important?” said Cabot.
"You are more important than you know,” said Flavion, “with humans, with Kurii. Too, you are close to Grendel, and if you turn on him, this will weigh heavily with many."
"I see,” said Cabot.
"Only you know my allegiance to Agamemnon,” said Flavion.
"Your treachery might be broadcast,” said Cabot.
"None would believe it,” said Flavion.
"I suspect that is true,” said Cabot.
"Power on Gor would be yours, and palaces and cities, and armies, and gold."
"I must trust you on this?"
"Perhaps you would like a token, of good faith?"
"Perhaps,” said Cabot.
"One, say, cast naked, in chains, to your feet?"
"That is a small token,” said Cabot.
"Perhaps such a one with a sack of gold tied about her neck?"
"I wonder if you could find her."
"One can always try."
"I had thought,” said Cabot, “that you might be interested in something other than my support in some coup. I had supposed you would be interested in something other, something as simple as an assassination, a knife in the night, plunged into the heart of a commander."
"That will not be necessary,” said Flavion.
"Oh?” said Cabot.
"Arrangements have already been made,” said Flavion.
Chapter, the Sixty-Third:
WHAT TOOK PLACE IN THE FIELD
"The Lady Bina has escaped!” cried Archon, rushing forward.
Lord Grendel leaped to his feet, wildly.
"How can that be?” said Statius.
"Some confederate in the camp!” said a Kur.
Lord Grendel was already at the stake to which the lovely prisoner had been fastened.
Tools had been used on the slave bracelets, for they lay to the side. The neck chain and the shackles had been opened. They, too, lay to the side.
Lord Grendel howled in rage, his eyes raised to his far sky, where one could see the heights of the trees descendent, so far above him, visible through wisps of clouds. Then, wildly, he crouched down and scratched at the dirt, gouging it. His visage was terrible. Cabot feared to address him as he was, for it seemed maddened Kur had suddenly somehow become his friend.
"What is wrong?” cried Flavion, hurrying forward.
"The traitress is gone!” said a Kur.
"No!” cried Flavion. “It is impossible!"
Then Flavion leaped back, for it seemed Lord Grendel would leap upon him, as to rip his throat from his body.
"Dear Lord Grendel, beloved commander,” said Flavion, “believe me, I know nothing of this!"
Lord Grendel shook with rage, his fangs emerged, his ears darted back, smoothly against his head.
"Surely it is Cestiphon, the human, who has done this!” said a Kur.
"Spare Flavion!” cried a Kur.
"Lord Grendel resents the wisdom of our Flavion,” said a Kur.
"He would destroy him, the most valuable and courageous of scouts,” said another.
"Kill me if you wish,” said Flavion. “I had rather die than be suspected of some part, however small, in this foul deed."
Lord Grendel seemed poised to hasten forward in the savage, bounding rush which Cabot knew well from his dealings with enraged Kurii.