"Hush, my daughter! Yes, from that point only may you hope to escape. And escape you must, Meg. Flee to the Clan at Loovil, tell them of our plight. Once we aided them when the Wild Ones laid siege to their village. Their Mother will lend you Warriors; perhaps other Clans will also help." Meg begged, "But, Mother, _how_? I cannot--" "I have shown you the way, Meg. You must take care of the rest." The Mother fell back, breathing heavily. The crisp rasp of footsteps raised Meg's head. Grensu, his investigations ended, had returned to claim his linbered mate. There was triumph in his eyes as Meg rose, obedient to his command. "So, ivory one, you have decided to accept my favors? That is well. Come with me!" Only Meg knew that her meekness was the blind obedience of a body reacting without the counsel of a mind. Meg was thinking, thinking desperately. Seeking some ruse which would give her the time, the opportunity, the speed and the weapon she needed. Grensu, warfare forgotten now, was anticipating a pleasant interlude. "You will not find me a bad companion," he boasted. "I am a mighty leader and a strong man, my wild doe--" Doe! Suddenly it was all clear in Meg's mind. The Japcans had, upon seizing the village, immediately taken into custody the few horses owned by the Jinnia Clanswomen. But there was Nessa! Surely no one could suspect that soft-eyed creature of being anything but a camp pet; of being a steed broken to the rein and spur.... She turned to Grensu with an exclamation of dismay. "My doe! My lovely pet! You destroyed her?" Grensu said placatingly, "Was the doe thine, white one? No, she has not been killed--yet. Though her meat--" Meg prayed that the Japcan leader would read the actions of her body rather than the purpose that stood printed in her burning eyes. "You are going to kill my Nessa? My lovely doe; my pet from childhood? You must let me see her once again, bid her farewell--" "Now, Woman," snapped Grensu crossly, "there is no time for that!" "I beg it of you--" Meg drew a deep breath, hating the word that must defile her lips, "--my Master!" "Well, if you must, then." Grensu looked pleased. It was a small price to pay for willing compliance. His face still bore the nail-marks of that screaming harridan he had captured in Lanta, and she had been a much less tempting morsel than this Woman. "Well, if you must--" * * * * * He turned aside, led Meg to the small grassy patch in which Nessa, untethered, was wont to graze. With a cry of gladness Meg threw her arms about the doe's neck. She sobbed openly, startling even the well-trained Nessa with the fervor of her caresses. And purposely she took a long time; so long that Grensu's impatience rose. "That will do now, Woman. Let us go!" "Not yet! Not yet!" pleaded Meg. "Later--" "Now!" insisted Grensu. He stepped forward to disengage Meg's arms. For the barest fraction of a second his both hands were free and weaponless.