Ekbar retold, in detail, the story given him by Tykol. For several minutes after he finished Vokal sat there and thought it over while he sipped from his goblet of wine. "... You are sure he was not lying?" "Yes, Most-High. There were but thirty-seven of them, where once there was fifty, and many wore strips of cloth over wounds left by Sadu's claws. Scouts who knew Jotan by sight reported he was not with the column." He hesitated. "One part of their report I did not understand, however, although it probably is not important." "Tell it to me." Ekbar shrugged. "There was a woman with them--a young and very beautiful girl. The scouts say she was very lovely--dark-haired, a pleasing figure and clearly the daughter of some nobleman." "Why did you not ask this Tykol who she was?" "I learned about her the following day. By that time Tykol was dead." Vokal nodded. "The balance of Jotan's men were not aware of being watched?" "No, Most-High. I took pains to keep that from them. Since Jotan's earlier death was something we had not foreseen, I acted as I thought you would order. Since Jotan is not with them it would be better that they reached Ammad and told of his death under the fangs and claws of Sadu." "You have acted wisely, Ekbar, and I shall not forget it." The captain flushed with pleasure. He said, "We did not return empty-handed, noble Vokal. Two cave people fell into our hands--one of them a beautiful young woman who told us some wild story about being Jotan's intended mate." At Vokal's look of languid interest, Ekbar repeated the story Dylara had told him. "And you say," Vokal said when the captain finished, "that this cave girl is very beautiful?" "There is none in all Ammad who is more lovely," Ekbar said, his deep-set eyes glittering. "How interesting!" Vokal leaned back in his chair, his long, well-kept fingers toying with the stem of his wine goblet. "Where is she now?" "Both she and the cave man we captured a little later are under guard in the outer corridor, Most-High. I thought you might wish to look them over before they were placed with the other slaves." "Bring them in, my good Ekbar," murmured Vokal. * * * * * The captain saluted stiffly and withdrew. A moment later he was back again followed by the two captives and a second guard. For several moments the nobleman let his eyes move slowly over the two cave people. The man, he saw, was, despite his youth, a remarkable physical specimen, extraordinarily handsome and evidently intelligent and keen-witted as so many of the cave dwellers were. With the proper attitude toward his new master it would not be long before he rose to the status of a warrior and an end to his position as slave. Judging from the flashing eyes and his air of insolent contempt, it would take a few days of iron-fisted discipline, however, to make him amenable. Well, Ekbar was a past master of that art.