Tarnsman of Gor   ::   Норман Джон

"I would whip them," said the daughter ofthe Ubar coldly.

I began to divide the rations I had taken from the pouches of the soldiers.

"What are you doing?" asked Talena.

"I am giving you half of the food," I said.

"But why?" she asked, her eyes apprehensive.

"Because I am leaving you," I said, shoving her share of the food toward her, also one of the water flasks. I then tossed her dagger on top of the pile. "You may want this," I said. "You may need it."

Fox the first time since she had learned of the fall of Marlenus, the daughter of the Ubar seemed stunned. Her eyes widened questioningly, but she read only resolve in my face.

I packed my gear and was ready to leave the glade. The girl rose and shouldered her small bag of rations. "I'm coming with you," she said. "And you cannot prevent me."

"Suppose I chain you to that tree," I suggested.

"And leave me for the soldiers?"

"Yes," I said.

"You will not do that," she said. "Why I do not know, but you will not do that."

"Perhaps I shall," I said.

"You are not like the other warriors of Ar," she said. "You are different."

"Do not follow me," I said.

"Alone," she said, "I will be eaten by animals or found by soldiers." She shuddered. "At best, I would be picked up by slavers and sold in the Street of Brands."

I knew that she spoke the truth or something much like it. A defenseless woman on the plains of Gor would not have much. chance.

"How can I trust you?" I asked, weakening.

"You can't," she admitted. "For I am of Ar and must remain your enemy."

"Then it is to my best interest to abandon you," I said.

"I can force you to take me," site said.

"How?" I asked.

"Like this," she responded, kneeling before me, lowering her head and lifting her arms, the wrists crossed. She laughed. "Now you must take me with you or slay me," she said, "and I know you cannot slay me."

I cursed her, for she took unfair advantage of the Warrior Codes of Gor.

"What is the submission of Talena, the daughter of the Ubar, worth?" I taunted.

"Nothing," she said. "But you must accept it or slay me."

Furious beyond reason, I saw in the grass the discarded slave bracelets, the hood and leading chains.

To Talena's indignation, I snapped the slave bracelets on her wrists, hooded her, and put her on a leading chain.

"If you would be a captive," I said, "you will be treated as a captive. I accept your submission, and I intend to enforce it.