"Do you think you can stand against a Kur, with an ax?” asked Flavion.
"I do not know,” said Cabot.
"First,” said Flavion, “I will cut off your left foot, that in vengeance for what you did to mine. Then I will cut off your right foot. Then your left hand, and then your right hand. I will try to staunch the bleeding, for a time. Then, when it pleases me, and I am tired of your screams and pleas, I will open your stomach and hang you from the gate by your own intestines."
"I am impressed,” said Cabot, “that you have given some thought to the matter."
"A great deal of careful and delicious thought,” said Flavion. “I owe you much."
"Spare the slave,” said Cabot.
"Who would kill an animal, which has some value?” asked Flavion.
"Indeed,” agreed Cabot.
"She is, I gather,” said Flavion, “the sort of thing which is not without interest to human males."
"To some human males,” said Cabot.
The animal was to the side. She had risen to all fours, and was regarding the males fearfully.
"I have ascertained, from human males,” said Flavion, “men of Peisistratus, that she might well bring in the neighborhood of two silver tarsks."
"Perhaps on a good day,” said Cabot.
"Too,” said Flavion, “I gather that such things have been done to her that she, no longer capable of controlling herself, will now leap obediently in the arms of any human male."
"Commanded, properly caressed,” said Cabot.
A sob escaped the slave.
"It is true,” said Cabot to her, sharply.
"Yes, Master,” she said.
"She is a slave,” said Cabot, matter-of-factly.
"I will take her to Gor with me, to sell her,” said Flavion.
"You must obtain her, first,” said Cabot.
"Of course,” said Flavion.
"I see you have your pouch,” said Flavion. “And there is a pack, too, if I am not mistaken. Perhaps you have some rubies left, from the trial of Lord Pyrrhus."
"Yes,” said Cabot, “several."
"Why not offer them to me, to buy your life?” suggested Flavion.
"Would they suffice?” inquired Cabot.
"Who knows?” said Flavion.
"To what purpose might they be put?” asked Cabot.
"On Gor,” said Flavion, “we will form a new enclave of Kurii, unreconciled adherents of Lord Agamemnon."
"You will join them?"
"I will lead them."
"As rubies are rare,” said Cabot, “and valuable, I doubt that you would choose to dispose of them here, in the world. There might be questions raised, as to their provenance, whence they were obtained, such things."
"True,” said Flavion. “But on Gor, you see, they will be unquestioned, and, on a street of coins, will have great value."
"You, and some others, then, will buy passage to Gor?"
"I, and several,” said Flavion. “Do not fear, we have the coins. We find ourselves unwelcome in the habitats. Political reservations obtain against us. Gor will be better for us, more open, providing some advantages denied us here, affording us greater opportunities for political activity, more scope for intrigue and ambition. In our plans the rubies will obviously have their role."
"But you must obtain them, first,” said Cabot.
"Of course,” said Flavion, “but I anticipate no difficulty in that regard."
"I would suppose that there must be already on Gor some such enclaves as you mention, doubtless established there in the past by Agamemnon, long before the war, to assist in his several projects."
"For a human, you are perceptive,” said Flavion.
"You will make contact with them?"
"Certainly."
"But will form, as well, a new enclave."
"Of course,” said Flavion, “for I must be first, I must be leader."
"Lord Flavion?” said Cabot.
"Yes,” said Flavion. “Lord Flavion."
"Shall we adjudicate our differences now?” inquired Cabot.
"Would you not like, first, to kneel before me, offer me rubies, plead for your life, and such?"
"No,” said Cabot.
"If you plead nicely, I might be persuaded to finish you quickly,” said Flavion.
"Let us fight,” said Cabot.
"I will have you on your knees quickly enough,” said Flavion, “when your feet have been cut off."
"Let us proceed,” said Cabot.
"Be patient with me, dear Cabot,” said Flavion. “I have waited a long time for this moment."
"You seem confident of the outcome,” said Cabot.
"No human can stand against a Kur, with the ax,” said Flavion. “How unfortunate for you that power weapons have been outlawed in the world."
"Let us fight,” said Cabot.
"Very well,” said Flavion. He then looked to the slave, to the side.