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I understand now, why you have trained me, I said. But you could not trust him,
I pointed out.
I am not unwilling to grant any reasonable request. If you could
regain your own body and return to your native country,you would like that? I
have reached that sameconclusion myself.
As I left him I noticed a crafty smile
of satisfaction upon his lips.
Behind him, Thuria, his elusive mistress,
fledthrough the heavens.
Theconvoying ships were destroyed or driven off and
that which carried uswas captured. However, his planwas an excellent one, both
for himself and for me.
In the corridor, perhaps, lurked those watchful eyes.
I
must go on as thoughnone were spying upon me. Even if I caredto do so, I could
never recover it.
You worked late last night, Vad Varo, he said.
I rushed
inapparently breathless and simulating great excitement. But you bargained with
me for my life when you had me in your power,he cried.
There, he said, youwill
find the body I have chosen.
Nothing thatpasses is without your knowledge. The
old man was far from achieving hatred of himself.
I have known that you worked
late at night. There, he said, youwill find the body I have chosen.
Barsoommust
not be robbed of this wondrous brain and skill of mine. The same holds true in
my selection of you forthe thing I have in mind. Do you thoroughly understand
the entireplan? Of my knowledge no person in any way connected with meknows
what became of it.
There, he said, youwill find the body I have chosen.
Then
depart at once and select the slaves who are to assist you.
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