"Wouldn't think of it!" Mjipa spoke to Khateluts: "Tell His Awesomeness my sense of honor and duty compels me to decline his offer. Either both of us go free, or neither does."
Khateluts vanished, but was back the following day, saying: "His Awesomeness finds you a most contumacious recusant. Belike a touch of the scourge, quotha, would awaken your laggard lusts."
"It would have the opposite effect, if I had such lusts to begin with," said Mjipa.
"Nameless, my master is curious about the workings of the Terran sexual process. He would fain know why a strong, hale male of your kind can sometimes perform the act and sometimes not. Also, he would know the meaning of those curious buttons of flesh in the midst of your bellies. He hath empowered me to inquire into these matters and bear your replies to him."
"Oh, lord!" groaned Mjipa in English. "I gave Ainkhist an hour's lecture on the birds and the bees, and now Khorosh wants the same. But—wait; that gives me an idea." He turned to Khateluts. " 'Tis a long, complex story, impractical for me to give you a snippet at a time. 'Twould take a full revolution of the planet about Roqir to tell the whole tale at that rate. But if His Awesomeness will graciously condescend to visit our cell, I will answer his questions directly."
"Oh, good my sir, my lord would never consent! 'Twere a heinous breach of Zhamanacian royal etiquette."
"Then his curiosity must go unsatisfied."
Khateluts protested, but Mjipa remained adamant. When the secretary had gone, Alicia said: "What do you have in mind, Percy? Something desperate?"
"You 're jolly well right. I'm going to show that bedlamite what being a hostage feels like."
"If he comes in here, he'll have armed guards with him."
"I know. But if I can get within grabbing distance, I'll use our royal voyeur as a shield and threaten to break his bloody neck, unless he gives the orders I feed him. He's a skinny little wart. Now, the instant you hear me say—let's see—I'll say 'Charge!' in English. When you hear that, dive for the loo, leaving the door open."
"The bathroom? But why—"
"You'll see. I'll back into the door of the loo, holding Khorosh as a shield. They won't be able to shoot either of us for fear of killing him. If we can manage that first five seconds, we're in business, as you Americans say."
"It sounds terribly risky, darling. Are you sure it wouldn't be better for you to take Khorosh's offer, go back to Novorecife, and send Ishimoto? He could bring some contraceptive, so we could fool the king into thinking—"
"Nonsense! Ishi's already gone to Baianch, thousands of hoda from here. It would take half a year to fetch him. Besides, he's a peaceable, routine-minded bloke who skillfully avoids predicaments like this. Summon up the sinews and stiffen the blood, old girl, and we'll do Khorosh one in the eye yet!"
Leaving his flutist outside, the Heshvavu entered the detention room with two swordsmen and one arbalester. He said: "Master Mjipa, hast given us great vexation with your riggish contumely. Your explanation of the Terran sexual process had better justify your insolent behavior."
Mjipa gave a servile bow. "I beg Your Awesomeness's pardon for any offense I have caused. Will my lord sit on our humble bench while I expound these mysteries?"
The Heshvavu sat. Alicia moved towards the bathroom inclosure. Mjipa launched into a colorful account of sex among Terrans: "...As Your Awesomeness appreciates, all large land-dwelling life forms require internal fertilization. For this process there must be a suitable organ to introduce the male sex cells ..."
As if carried away by his own oratory, Mjipa moved rapidly about, gesticulating. The three guards, standing behind the king, seemed as fascinated by Mjipa's account as the Heshvavu. As he passed within reach of the king, in the midst of a description of the female organs, Mjipa suddened cried: "Charge!"
Simultaneously he shot out long black arms and seized the seated Heshvavu. He jerked the ruler to his feet, whirled him round and round as if doing a Viennese waltz, and on the third whirl backed into the open bathroom door, clasping the Heshvavu to his naked bosom.
The king yelled and struggled, but his strength was nothing compared to Mjipa's. The swordsmen rushed around the ends of the bench, blades agleam. The crossbowman danced about, trying to get a clear shot at Mjipa without hitting his sovran.
"Order them back!" shouted Mjipa in Khorosh's ear. "Or I'll break your neck!" Mjipa had wrapped one arm around the Krishnan's head and twisted the head until the neck vertebrae creaked.
The arbalester shot his bolt, which thudded into the wood of the bathroom inclosure. He had evidently hoped to shoot either Mjipa or Alicia through the wall, but the planking proved too thick.
"Back! I command!" shrilled the Heshvavu. The swordsmen backed away. The crossbowman, reaching for another bolt, lowered his weapon.
"Tell those guards to drop all weapons!" said Mjipa.
"Drop your weapons, men!" Down on the floor clattered swords and crossbow.
"Daggers, too!" insisted Mjipa. "Now tell the one on the right to kick his dagger towards us ... Alicia, can you squeeze past my legs? Grab that dagger and hand it to me. Don't get within reach of these coves, or they'll grab you for a hostage, too ... Thanks, old girl." Mjipa pressed the point of the dagger against the Heshvavu's painted hide until a tiny trickle of blue-green blood flowed.
"Now listen carefully," continued Mjipa. "Tell those three guards we want the rest of our possessions—those taken from our baggage and not returned to us, such as my money belt, with the money in it, and my sword. They shall all leave this room. When they fetch our things, only one at a time shall enter. Tell them!" Mjipa emphasized his words by a dig with his dagger.
When the gear had been brought, Mjipa said: "Tell the guard to go out and stand by outside ... Lish, will you go through our things, check the contents, and pack us up for leaving? We can use an extra sword and dirk."
While she was thus engaged, Mjipa said: "Now, tell the guard outside that we demand two of the best riding ayas from the royal stables, saddled and bridled, with campaign rations for a fiftnight in saddle bags. Bring the animals to the front entrance, and let us know as soon as they are ready. Otherwise, tell all your other guards, lackeys, and other people to keep out of my sight when we leave. No delays, now!"
Alicia: "Who's going to carry all this stuff?"
"You are. I can't let go of Khorosh to pick things up."
"But Percy! I'm not strong enough to bear fifty kilos, including these swords and daggers. Why don't you make the Heshvavu carry them?"
"Too risky; he might get away. Besides, I suspect you're stronger than he is. We'll make that guard carry the bags, while you tote the cutlery."
A quarter-hour later, the palace saw a curious naked procession. First came a royal guard laden with two heavy canvas bags; then the slight Heshvavu in Mjipa's viselike embrace, with a dagger pressed to his side; and lastly Alicia Dyckman, festooned with swords and daggers, following Mjipa and looking about to guard the consul's rear. Mjipa kept saying to the Heshvavu:
"Order them away! Order them out of sight! Tell that archer to drop his bow and disappear! Unless he killed me with his first shaft, you'd be dead before he could nock a second."
They found a groom holding the bridles of the ayas in the courtyard. Mjipa said: "Tell the guard to help Mistress Dyckman to lash the bags to the animals; but if he lays hand on her, you're dead! ... Now, Your Awesomeness, you're coming for a ride. Up you go!"
With a tremendous heave, Mjipa boosted the slight monarch up to the back on one aya, setting him astride the animal in front of the saddle. Mjipa instantly took the dagger in his teeth, vaulted into the saddle, and again placed the point of the dagger against the king's painted skin. Khorosh turned his head to say: