She had had opportunity, since leaving Sessendris, to take thought and prepare her story along less ingenuous lines. Tharrin was her dear stepfather. He had been the family's sole prop and mainstay in their poverty on the Tonildan Waste. She owed so much to him. When she had been enslaved he had sought her in vain-she had learned as much last night-and for her part she believed him innocent. If only his life were spared, she would see to it that he went home to those who desperately needed him and never fell foul of authority again.
When at length she had finished there was a pause. "But if this man was such a good father to you all, Maia," asked Elvair-ka-Virrion at length, "how was it that you came to be enslaved?"
" 'Twas poverty,, my lord-sheer hard times," answered Maia. "We was nigh on starving, see-"
"So he made ready money by acting as a rebels' courier," broke in Kembri. "Well,
Maia said nothing, and after a few moments he went on, "Do you remember the day when we first talked about
Bayub-Otal; the day you told me about the High Counselor and Milvushina?"
"Yes, my lord; I remember very well."
"So you won't have forgotten our talking about adventurers and their need to see clearly and not deceive themselves into thinking that just because they happen to have struck lucky, they can get away with anything."
"I'm not deceiving myself, my lord. It's only that I can't bear the thought of my stepfather being-being tortured and put to death."
"Tortured? Put to death?" said Elvair-ka-Virrion. "Whatever do you mean?";
"Why, he told me himself, my lord-I saw him in the jail last night-as he knew he was to be tortured-"
"The man's a fool, then," said Kembri shortly, "or more likely the soldiers have been amusing themselves by telling him tales." He picked up his stick and turned back to the map.
"Oh, don't be sharp with her, father," said Elvair-ka-Virrion. "A girl like her deserves better. Maia, let me explain. You ought to know-who better?-that human bodies are worth money. We only execute people if they're worth nothing-or if they've become so infamous that they have to be made a public example. These prisoners-they've got value as slaves. Provided these people answer our questions and tell us everything we need to know, they've got nothing to fear beyond being sold as slaves. You can probably buy your step-father if you want to. In fact, I think the prisoners have already been apportioned. There's a roll somewhere, father, isn't there?"
"Over there." Kembri nodded towards another table.
"Apportioned?" asked Maia. "What's that, then?"
"Why, when a batch of prisoners like this comes in," said Elvair-ka-Virrion, "strictly speaking their lives are all forfeit. But any Leopard who wants can put in a bid for so many at a price, and then they belong to him and he has the disposal of them. They can be sold, or given away, or just kept as slaves in his household-whatever he decides. Ah, yes, here's the roll. What did you say your stepfather's name was?"
"Tharrin, of Meerzat."
"I see. Yes, here he is. Oh!" Elvair-ka-Virrion, whose manner had seemed full of reassurance, suddenly stopped short and put the roll back on the table. After a few mo-
ments he said, "Well, if I were you, Maia, I should try to forget about this."
"Why, what do you mean, my lord? Who-who's got Tharrin, then?"
"The Sacred Queen," replied Elvair-ka-Virrion. "He's one of eight prisoners marked for her personal disposal. I'm sorry, Maia. When the Sacred Queen has the disposal of prisoners, you see, that's usually-well, rather different, I'm afraid."
"But-but I could still buy Tharrin, my lord, couldn't I? From the queen?"
"You could try, certainly," said Kembri, "but if I were you I shouldn't." He went to the door and summoned the young staff officer. "Bahrat, the Serrelinda's leaving now. Show her to the door, will you? and then come back yourself."
