“The slave,” said Samos.

“Don not kneel,” I said to her.

“strip your face, Slave,” said Samos.

Gracefully the girl, the property of Samos, first slaver of Port Kar, removed her veil, unfastening it, dropping it about her shoulders.

We looked once more upon each other.

I saw again those marvellous green eyes, those lips, luscious, perfect for crushing beneath a warrior’s mouth and teeth, the subtle complexion, olive. She removed a pin from her hair, and, with a small movement of her head, shook loose the wealth of her sable hair.

We regarded one another.

“Is master pleased?” she asked.

“It has been a long time, Talena,” said I.

“Yes,” she said, “it has been long,”

“He is free,” said Samos.

“It has been long, Master,” she said.

“Many years,” said I. “ Many years.” I smiled at her. “ I last saw you on the night of our companionship.”

“When I awakened, you were gone,” she said. “ I was abandoned.”

“Not of my own free will did I leave you,” said I. “ That was not of my will”

I saw in the eyes of Samos that I must not speak of Priest-Kings. It had been them who had returned me then to Earth.

“I do not believe you,” she said.

“Watch your tongue, Girl.” said Samos.

“If you command me to believe you,” she said,” I shall, of course, for I am slave.”

I smiled. “No,” I said, “ I do not command you.”

“ I was kept in greathonor in Ko-ro-ba, “ she said, “ respected and free, for I had been your companion even after the year of companionship had gone, and it had not been renewed.”

At that point, in Gorean law, the companionship had been dissolved. The companionship had not been renewed by the twentieth hour, the Gorean Midnight, of its anniversary.

“When Priest-kings, by fire signs, made it clearKo-ro-ba was to be destroyed, I left the city.”