whistle was then handed about to Aeson and Genak, but each, to their surprise, and chagrin, fared no better.
I glanced to the side, and noted that Tiomines, the hunting sleen, had awakened. His head was up, and those two large, pointed ears were erected. He growled, a noise more puzzled than anything else.
“The sleen is restless,” said Aeson.
“Steady, friend,” said Axel soothingly to the beast, which then, again, put its head down on its paws, and closed its eyes.
Axel slipped the whistle, on its strap, again, about his neck.
“The instrument is worthless,” said Aeson. “Throw it away.”
“Better to repair it,” said Axel.
“Buy another,” said Genak.
“I like it, I am fond of it,” said Axel.
“Paga!” said Aeson, looking to me.
I rose up, to serve him. There was little left. No more than a quarter of a cup for each was practical.
I made it a point to stand quite close to the sleen master’s fellow, he who had accompanied him on his hunt, the hunt in which I had been the prey, which had ended with my capture.
How I hated him!
But might he not have sought me?
Was it only as a fled slave that he had sought me? I did not know. Did his neglect of me in the camp seem too studied? Why was he here? How was it that he, who had first looked upon me, on a far world, and had looked upon me as a man looks upon a slave, the first time to my knowledge that I had been so looked upon, so obviously, and had doubtless figured in my selection for Gorean bondage, had been in Brundisium, and in Shipcamp, and was now here in the forest? Surely he must remember me, I thought. Am I so little, so meaningless to him, that I am only another item of cargo, another naked woman dragged to a sales block? Is this all a coincidence? Does he truly not remember me, me, in whose dreams he has so often appeared, with his insolence and arrogance, and authority, with his whip and chain?
I recalled the dock in Shipcamp.
Had he truly not recognized me, kneeling at his feet, he who had brought me to a collar, yet a collar I coveted?
So he despises me, I thought; so he scorns me, I thought. So then let him find himself where he is, within inches of me, no longer a free woman of Earth, but now, thanks to him, no more than a collared, barefoot, tunic-clad Gorean kajira, a beast who may be bought and sold, one which now, thanks to him, exists only for the service and pleasure of men. Let him feel my collared presence and, should he heat, and squirm, and sweat, let him keep well in mind that he does not own me!
I stepped back, with a swirl of the tiny tunic.
Aeson rose up, took the empty bottle, in its net, from me, wished the sleen master and his fellow well, and wandered away. Genak lay down where he was, and was soon asleep.
“Tal,” said the leader of the attackers, who now stood over the sleen master and his fellow.
“Tal, noble Genserich,” said Axel.
“I trust you enjoy the hospitality of the camp,” said Genserich.
“We have just been drinking with two of your fellows,” said Axel.
“I know,” said the leader.
“We must be leaving presently,” said Axel.
“You realize,” said the leader, “that you will spend the night on a chain.”
“Why?” asked Axel.
“To protect you,” said the leader. “There are dangers in the forest.” He then turned away.
I, too, expected to spend the night on a chain, or roped helplessly, as I had been on the trek to Tarncamp from the coast. But I was a slave. Such things are not unusual where a slave is concerned. Some believe that a slave is chained at night, or caged, or kenneled, that she not escape, but others believe it is largely to prevent her theft. I think the explanation is even simpler; it is to remind her that she is a slave.
I stood a few feet away.
“I must see to Tiomines,” said Axel. He then rose up, and went to the sleen.
I looked to his fellow, who was sitting, cross-legged, regarding me. I boldly returned his regard.
What had I to fear? He did not own me.
He indicated, with a slight movement of his right hand, that I should approach. I did so. But I remained standing. Let him consider that.