“I count seventeen,” said Axel. “Still you are outnumbered.”
“We are finished,” said Rorton to Genserich. “You were tricked. You are a fool!”
“We mean you no harm,” I said.
“Do not be sure of that,” said Axel.
“The beast heard you yesterday evening,” said the leader of the newcomers, who was the second in command, it seems, of one of the coastal ships, of the sort which had brought men to Tarncamp earlier. In his group, counting himself as one, there were ten mariners, and five mercenaries. The larl had been turned over to them by Pani, with two trainers, who had accompanied them. It may be recalled that this arrangement had been put in place by either Tyrtaios, or Lord Okimoto, to support Axel, and take action, if he were fortunate enough to make contact with the Panther Women. “We followed the beast,” he said, “but it was slow going in the night, and we did not anticipate fifteen men here. We expected a small group of Panther Girls, and perhaps one or two mercenaries.”
“That was what Tyrtaios anticipated,” said Axel. “He did not expect a sizable party of armed men.”
“The larl must be returned,” said one of the two trainers. “It has done its work.”
I was sure I knew why there was concern to return the larl. The great ship would soon begin its journey to the sea. There was housing for such beasts within its great hulk.
“Dally a bit,” said Axel. “We may have need of it here.”
“What for?” asked the trainer.
Axel gestured to the prisoners, “Why, to feed, of course,” he said.
“No!” cried Donna. “No!”
“Do not fear,” said Axel. “You are a slave. You will not be eaten unless perhaps you are displeasing in some way.”
She would know that, of course. Accordingly her concern was not on her own behalf, but on behalf of another.
“Wretched Genserich!” snarled Rorton. “It is you who have brought us to this!”
“Stop her!” cried Axel, and Donna had scarcely reached the edge of the camp, her scarlet tunic bright against the green, when she was seized.
“Bind her, hand and foot,” said Axel, “and throw her here.” He indicated a place at the feet of Genserich. “It is where she belongs,” he said.
Soon she lay at her master’s feet, as helplessly trussed as he. “Forgive me, Master,” she said, “I have failed you.”
“Serve your new master well,” he said.
She wept, her tears falling into the dirt.
“Did you hear me, worthless slut?” he said.
“Yes, Master,” she wept. “I must serve him well. I am a slave.”
“I am first here,” said Axel to the mariner who was leader of the newcomers. “It is yours to abet me, and act in my support.”
“How is it that you are first?” asked the mariner.
“I am a high officer amongst remote forces,” said Axel. I could see why Asperiche might be taken with the fellow.
“I thought you were a sleen master, put out to locate spies for us,” said the mariner.
“Do you think such a weighty task would be entrusted to one who was not a high officer?” inquired Axel.
“I would have supposed so,” said the mariner.
“It was not,” said Axel. “You may address me as ‘Captain’.”
“Yes, Captain,” said the mariner.
“You have been paid, I take it,” said Axel.
“Yes,” said the mariner.
“But not enough,” said Axel.
“Oh?” said the mariner, interested.
“You see those four slaves,” said Axel, “those on the neck rope, who have not yet earned tunics?” Here he indicated Darla, Tuza, Emerald, and Hiza.
“Yes,” said the mariner. “Two are passable.”
“Those four were the spies,” said Axel, “once Panther Girls.”
“We were to capture them,” said the mariner.
“Others have saved us the trouble,” said Axel, indicating Genserich and his band, clustered about, bound and helpless.
“They are ours!” said Genserich.
“You are ours,” said Axel, “and so what was yours is now ours.”
“Sleen!” said Genserich.
“What is to be done with them?” asked the mariner.
“They are to be slain!” said Rorton, struggling.
“We give them to you as a bonus,” said Axel, generously.
“My thanks, Captain,” said the mariner.
“Kill them!” cried Rorton.
“Dead slaves are worthless,” said a fellow.
“What is your home port?” inquired Axel.
“Brundisium,” said the mariner.
“I supposed so,” said Axel. “Good. I suppose you have marking irons, and collars, on your vessel.”
“Of course,” said the mariner. “In our business, we commonly pass selling poles.”
“How long will it take you to reach Brundisium?” asked Axel.
“We are days from the coast here,” said the mariner, “and then, once we reach the coast, and are under sail, depending on the winds, it will be