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Sind stretched and then scratched unashamedly at his groin. We did our running, and all went well. Why
don t you try relaxing for a change? Who knows? You might even find the sensation agreeable.
Quietly agitated, the herdsman was staring out a many-paned window at the farm s mist-swathed
environs. I will rest when we are out of this ill-starred country and safe aboard a ship bound for the far
side of the Aboqua. Not before. He looked back. Get up and cover your ass. We should be away
from here.
All right, all right. Grumbling, the swordsman slid his legs out from beneath the heavy wefted bed
sheets and began fumbling with his attire. But not before breakfast. Who knows when we may again
have a chance to eat like this? And for free.
Very well. Ehomba was reluctant, but understanding. After breakfast.
While most of the dairy products that had not been looted from the forsaken farm stank of spoilage,
there remained a substantial quantity of dried and smoked meats. Another section of the walk-in larder
was filled from floor to ceiling with jars of preserved fruits and vegetables. Rummaging through the stores,
Simna found a couple of loaves of bread decorated by only a few spots of opportunistic mold.
We should fill our packs. He bit enthusiastically into a mouthful of meat and bread.
This is not our food. Though uncomfortable at rifling another man s pantry, Ehomba consoled himself
with the realization that if they did not eat the bread and other perishables, they would go either to the
Chlengguu or to waste.
Hoy, that s right leave it for the despoilers. Misplaced good intentions have been the death of many a
man, bruther. But not me! Daring the herdsman to take exception, he began stuffing strips of dried meat
and small jars of olives and pickles into his pack. Ehomba simply turned away.
When at last all was in readiness they stepped out into the fog. If anything, the herdsman thought, it had
grown thicker since they had arisen. It would be difficult to tell north from any other direction. But he was
not about to linger in the homestead until the mist lifted. If they could see any patrolling Chlengguu clearly,
then the Chlengguu could see them. Better to take their chances under cover of the low-hanging vapors.
He was only a few yards from the house, turning in the direction where he imagined north to lie, when a
thunderous roar shattered the tenuous silence. Whirling, he saw only the last flash of motion as the heavy
net landed atop Ahlitah. The great cat bellowed furiously, claws ripping at the material, powerful jaws
snapping, but to no avail. Whoever had designed the ambush had made their preparations well: The mesh
was made of metal, woven into finger-thick cords like rope. Ahlitah could dent but not tear it.
Chlengguu seemed to come from everywhere: back of the farmhouse, behind bushes, over fence rails,
everywhere but straight up out of the ground. Dozens more dropped from the roof to clutch frantically at
the fringes of the net, for while the litah was unable to break it, his convulsions were sending panicked
Chlengguu flying in all directions. It took forty of them finally to pin down the net and the outraged,
wild-eyed feline within.
No nets came flying at Ehomba and Simna. Instead, they found themselves overwhelmed by another half
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hundred of the forceful Wall masters. The herdsman had hardly begun to lower his spear and Simna to
draw his sword when rough hands fell upon them, wrenching their weapons out of their hands and reach.
Hobbles were brought forth, and their hands were bound behind their backs. Thoroughly trussed and
tethered, they were shoved rudely forward as their captors barked incomprehensible commands at them
in the exotic Chlengguu tongue.
I hope you enjoyed your breakfast, Ehomba muttered as they were marched away from the farmhouse
and into the fog.
That I did, bruther. Exhibiting considerable aplomb in the face of a less than sanguine situation, the
swordsman studied their captors. They re not especially big, but the little buggers are fast. He smiled
amiably at the Chlengguu warrior striding along next to him. Ugly, too. Unable to understand, the
soldier marched along stiffly, looking neither to left nor right and certainly not at the grimacing captive.
Behind the herdsman, dozens of warriors bore the frustrated, spitting Ahlitah aloft. So tightly wrapped
and rolled in the steel net was the litah that he was unable to shift his limbs. Nor if they had any sense at
all would his captors allow him the slightest range of movement. If so much as a single set of claws
slipped free, Ehomba knew they would find their way into one of their abductors necks. Always
cautious, the Chlengguu were taking no chances with the biggest and most powerful of their prisoners.
They were excessively thin, the herdsman saw. Slim enough that he looked bulky beside them, and
Simna positively squat. They had narrow, sharply slanted eyes that were set almost vertically in their
faces, long hooked noses, and small mouths. The two canines protruded very slightly down over the
lower lip. Their ears were thin and pointed as well, and the narrow skulls showed no hair beneath their
tight-fitting, embossed helmets. Many of these were decorated with long quills and spines appropriated,
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