“All that you say is true,” I told her.

“You did well, I understand,” said Samos,” in the stockade of Sarus of Tyros.”

“I wish to be returned to my father,” said Talena.

I drew forth five pieces of gold. “This money,” said I to Samos, “ is for safe passage for Ar, by guard and tarn, for this woman.”

Talena drew about her face her veil, refastening it. “I shall have the monies returned to you,” she said.

“No,” I said, “take it rather as a gift, as a token of a former affection, once borne to you by one who was honoured to be your companion.”

“She is a she-sleen,” said samos, “vicious and ignoble.”

“My father would avenge that insult,” she said, coldly, “ with the tarn cavalries of Ar.”

“You have been disowned,” said samos, and turned and left. I still held the five coins in my hand.

“Give me the coinsd,” said talena. I held them in my hand, in the palm. She came to me and snatched them away, as loath to touch me. Then she stood and faced me, the coins in her hand. “How ugly you are,” she said. “ How hideous in your chair!”

I did not speak.

She turned and strode toward the door of the hall. At the portal she stopped, and turned. “In my veins,” she said, “flows the blood of Marlenus of Ar. How revolting and incredible that one such as you, a coward and betrayer of codes, should have aspired to touch me.

She lifted the coins in her hand. It was gloved. “My gratitude,” said she, “Sir,” and turned away.

“Talena!” I cried.

She turned to face me once more.

“It is nothing,” I said.

“And you will let me go,” she said. She smiled contemptuously. “ You were never a man,” she said. “Always you were a boy, a weakling.”She lifted the coins again in her hand. “Farewell, Weakling,” said she, and left the room.

I now sat in my own hall, in the darkness, thinking on many things.