“Sword pleasure,” said the stranger.
I gathered then he was a soldier of fortune, a mercenary, or perhaps a fugitive.
“Your accent,” said Astrinax, “does not sound Turian.”
“Do you dispute me?” inquired the fellow.
“Not at all,” said Astrinax.
“I might,” said Lykos.
“Outside?” asked the stranger.
“If you wish,” said Lykos.
“Whose girl is this?” asked Trachinos.
“She belongs to a woman, the Lady Bina, one supposes of Ar,” said Astrinax.
“In that tunic?” laughed Trachinos.
“Her Mistress might wish to put her out to men, for girl use,” said Astrinax.
“Good,” said Trachinos.
I trembled, and looked down. I was afraid to meet his eyes. Too, some masters do not permit their girls to meet their eyes, unless commanded to do so.
“She cannot speak,” said he in whose charge I was.
“You have cut out her tongue?” said Trachinos.
“No,” said he in whose keeping I was. “She has merely been placed in the modality of the mute slave.”
“Is that true, girl?” asked Trachinos.
It was surely a test. I kept my head down. I whimpered once.
I sensed Astrinax was relieved. He in whose charge I was was impassive. Lykos had moved his robes a little. I could then see the hilt of his gladius.
“She is pretty,” said Trachinos. This pleased me. I received few compliments. To be sure, I knew I was attractive. Otherwise a collar would not have been put on my neck.
Still I had no desire to lick and kiss the whip of Trachinos, though I would do it fearfully, and well, if it were pressed to my lips.
“Can you handle a wagon?” asked Astrinax.
“But she does not have much hair,” said Trachinos.
“There are two others chained to a slave post, in our wagon camp,” said Astrinax.
“I know,” said Trachinos.
“You have looked upon them?” said Astrinax.
“Yes,” said Trachinos. “They are pretty.”
“You seem to know something of us,” said Lykos.
“I am told you are going into the Voltai,” said Trachinos.
“Yes,” said Astrinax.
“That is why you have few fee takers,” said Trachinos.
“We will pay well,” said Astrinax.
“For what purpose are you entering the Voltai?” asked Trachinos.
“That has not been disclosed to us,” said Astrinax.
“Does it matter, if you are well paid?” asked Lykos.
“No,” said Trachinos.
“It seems you have brought a sword to the table,” said Lykos.
“You are going into the Voltai,” grinned Trachinos.
“We need drivers,” said Astrinax.
“I can drive, and so, too,” said Trachinos, “can my fellow, Akesinos.” He indicated a fellow standing in the shadows, just within the large double doors of the tavern.
“Forty copper tarsks each week,” said Astrinax.
“That is good fee, indeed,” said Trachinos.
“Perhaps you think us rich?” said Lykos.
“A lowly driver does not inquire into such things,” said Trachinos.
“You are aware there are dangers in the Voltai?” said Lykos.
“I do not fear them,” said Trachinos.
“He is our man!” said Astrinax.
Lykos rose to his feet, and thrust his robe back, behind his shoulder. He indicated the blade, flat, on the table. “You can use that?” he asked.
“Let us make trial of the matter,” said Trachinos.
“That is not necessary,” said Astrinax.
“Here is the last lamp,” said the tavern’s man. “The tavern is closing.”
Trachinos, not taking his eyes from Lykos, bent down and retrieved his blade. It seemed almost small in his grasp. He was a very large man.
“Is blood to be shed?” inquired Trachinos.
“Certainly not!” said Astrinax.
“If you wish,” said Lykos.
“Surely outside, outside, noble Masters,” said the tavern’s man.
“Do not extinguish the lamp,” said he in whose charge I was, he who had silenced me.
“Please, Masters!” protested the tavern’s man.
“Who shall move first?” asked Trachinos.
“I,” said Lykos.
I backed away, on my knees.
I could not follow the movement of the blades, so sudden, so swift they were, but, a moment later, I realized they had crossed six times, from the sound.
“Well?” grinned Trachinos.
“Hire him,” said Lykos.
“I vouch for my fellow, Akesinos,” said Trachinos. “He has killed four men.”
Lykos sheathed his blade, and nodded.
“We leave tomorrow, at dawn,” said Astrinax.
“Whose caravan is it?” asked Trachinos. “Who is in charge, who stands the fee?”
“You will report to this man, Astrinax,” said Lykos.
“Very well,” said Trachinos.
I had now regained my composure, after my withdrawal from the vicinity of the blade engagement, and was now kneeling beside the table.
I sensed I knelt within the regard of the stranger.
I did not look at him.
Then I felt his boot put against my upper right arm, and I was thrust to my side on the floor. “And what of this little vulo?” asked Trachinos. “Is she with the wagons?”
He had not hurt me, nor had he intended to. His action had been no more than a way of calling attention to me, as a slave might be indicated.
None of the men at the table objected.
I, of course, was well reminded, first, of my bondage, and, secondly, of the power of men, who might do with us, with women, if they pleased, what they pleased.
“Yes,” said Astrinax.
“Then her Mistress, as well?” asked Trachinos.
“Yes,” said Astrinax. “The Lady Bina.”
“And she is a she-tarsk, is she not?” asked Trachinos.
“Not at all,” said Astrinax. “She is thought to be marvelously, extraordinarily beautiful.”
The Lady Bina, perhaps in her vanity, or perhaps because she was not natively Gorean, was often careless in her veiling. I recalled that from as long ago as the Tarsk Market. Too, like many beautiful free women, I suspect she enjoyed seeing her effect on men. Certainly I, on my former world, before I was collared, had very much enjoyed that sort of thing, a form of amusing play, exciting boys and men and leading them on, and then, when well
