Ajor
had had no blanket, having lost it during her flight from the
attentions of Du-seen; nor was she so heavily incrusted with gold
as these male members of her tribe.
The audience must have lasted fully an hour when Al-tan signified
that I might return to my hut. All the time Nobs had lain quietly
at my feet; but the instant that I turned to leave, he was up and
after me. Duseen called to him; but the terrier never even so
much as looked in his direction. I had almost reached the doorway
leading from the council-hall when Al-tan rose and called after
me. "Stop!" he shouted. "Stop, stranger! The beast of Du-seen
the Galu follows you."
"The dog is not Du-seen's," I replied. "He belongs to my friend,
as I told you, and he prefers to stay with me until his master is
found." And I turned again to resume my way. I had taken but a
few steps when I heard a commotion behind me, and at the same moment
a man leaned close and whispered "Kazar!" close to my ear--kazar,
the Caspakian equivalent of beware. It was To-mar. As he spoke,
he turned quickly away as though loath to have others see that
he knew me, and at the same instant I wheeled to discover Du-seen
striding rapidly after me. Al-tan followed him, and it was evident
that both were angry.
Du-seen, a weapon half drawn, approached truculently.
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