The man who does not put them to their knees they despise. They respond, in the fullness of their sexuality, only to the man before whom they must kneel.
How luscious, thought the giant, was Filene. And she is somewhere in Venitzia! I must arrange for the trading mission he thought. I must go, with men, to Venitzia.
It was the next day that the giant learned, to his elation, after a night of terrible and restless torment, that the trade expedition, with vehicles, and goods, and tents and equipment, under the command of Lysis, attempting to follow him, had arrived near the edge of the forest, only hours away.
Heruls, apparently curious to see what would ensue, had brought the expedition that far. They would not venture into the forest.
The next day, toward evening, at the head of some ten picked men, including Vandar, the giant emerged from the forest, and saw, in the distance, the camp compound and its defensive perimeter, illuminated by floodlights.
The men with him had never seen such a camp. It was quite different from the wagons of the Heruls.
In a short time the giant had approached the camp, and, from a distance of several yards outside the fence, made himself known.
Lysis himself, and the young blond officer, having ascertained through sentries that the guest from the night was indeed Otto, came themselves through the fence.
They seized him, and embraced him warmly.
“We had hoped we could make contact with you here,” said Lysis, supply officer of the Narcona. “Why did you leave Venitzia without us?”
“It was important to come alone, to prepare the way,” said Otto.
“Telnarians are not welcome in the forest?” asked Corelius, the young blond officer.
“There are many places Telnarians are not welcome,” said Otto.
“Did your mission go well?” asked Lysis.
“I think we have cause to be pleased,” said Otto.
“Who are those with you?” asked Lysis.
“Otungs,” said Otto. “I would not approach them too closely, as two have bows.”
“How many are there?” asked Lysis.
“Ten,” said Otto.
“That does not seem too many,” said Corelius.
“They are welcome,” said Lysis.
“Telnarians and Otungs are enemies,” said Otto. “I think it is better that we do not bring soldiers and Otungs together, until we have prepared both.”
“He is right,” said Corelius. “A gesture, a shove, a heated word, a drawn knife or pistol, and the work of Ottonius could go for naught.”
“The mercenary company I have been charged to form,” said Otto, “as it is currently conceived, will be much its own unit, functioning substantially independently, muchly under its own command. Ideally, it will have as little close interaction with regular Telnarian forces as possible, in particular, with those of the fixed sort.”
Here the giant was referring to the border, or garrison troops, as distinguished from the mobile forces.
“Fraternization would be dangerous?” said Lysis.
“Better,” said Otto, “to house arn bears and vi-cats in the same cage.”
Both animals, it might be noted, aside from being natural enemies, tend to be restless, short-tempered, aggressive, and territorial.
“Perhaps you should return to them, and have them wait, until we have discussed matters fully.”
“My thoughts, as well,” said Otto.
“You will enjoy our hospitality, in the compound, I trust,” said Lysis.
“Yes,” said Otto.
“We will have a splendid supper,” said Lysis.
“I shall return in a moment,” said Otto. He went back and conversed with his men. He told them to return to the hall, and he would join them later.
They faded away, back into the darkness of the forest.
In a few moments Otto had rejoined Lysis and Corelius.
“Tonight,” said Otto, “after we talk, and after supper, I will need a woman.”
“We will have one prepared for you,” said Lysis.
“Who?” asked Otto.
“Filene,” said Corelius.
“Excellent,” said Otto.