down the ramp toward his quarters but the big woman seized his elbow.

'No,' she corrected. 'This way.'

* * * *

In the morning Syn sent a messenger to Wyr's rooms. The priest of Sassa had known exactly where Marion had spent the night. But he did not know of the things he and Wyr had discussed in quiet whispers.

'Did you find Wyr a satisfactory companion?' Syn greeted him.

Marion eyed his steadily. 'She's scarcely a mental giant,' he replied. 'A bit uncouth, but otherwise adequate.'

The answer seemed to amuse Syn. 'And did you like the Observance of Sassa?'

'It's—it's—'Marion was at a loss for words but his face betrayed the tremendous hunger to wallow once more in Sassa's alien vileness, 'How soon again?'

Syn smiled at his enthusiasm.

'You are one of usfaster than eye could follow. The blades of its tip grated against the bone of Eldyn's forehead and a gush of blood poured into her single eye. She lowered her sword momentarily to clear her vision with the back of her single hand, and in that defenseless instant the Luvan struck.

She felt the dagger snick against a rib and plunge deep into her breast. Automatically her foot came up in a tremendous kick that sent the Luvan reeling back, unhurt but thrown off balance.

Eldyn knew she was bleeding internally but as yet her shocked nerves refused to transmit the full story of pain to her mind. Minutes to live. Something clogged her throat as she panted, and she spat a gobbet of red-tinged foam onto the moss underfoot.