If she took a chance and lost, she'd die, and her mother and daughters would bewithout support. They'd have to beg; Eevroen certainly would be of no help. AndHandoo and Kheem, three and five years old, would grow up, if they didn't diefirst, to be child whores. It was almost inevitable.

While she stood undecided, knowing that she had only a few seconds to act andperhaps not that, the clouds slid below the moon again. That made the differencein what she'd do. She ran across the street towards Benna. He was still lying inthe dirt of the street, his head only a few inches from some stinking dog turds.She scabbarded her dagger, got down on her knees, and rolled him over. He gaspedwith terror when he felt her hands upon him.

'It's all right!' she said softly. 'Listen! Can you get up if I help you? I'llget you away!'

Sweat poured into her eyes as she looked towards the far comer. She could seenothing, but if the hunters wore black, they wouldn't be visible at thisdistance.

Benna moaned and then said, 'I'm dying, Masha.'

Masha gritted her teeth. She had hoped that he'd not recognize her voice, not atleast until she'd got him to safety. Now, if the hunters found him alive and gother name from him, they'd come after her. They'd think she had the jewel orwhatever it was they wanted.

'Here. Get up,' she said, and struggled to help him. She was small, about fivefeet tall and weighing eighty-two pounds. But she had the muscles of a cat, andfear was pumping strength into her. She managed to get Benna to his feet.Staggering under his weight, she supported him towards the open doorway of thebuilding on the corner.

Benna reeked of something strange, an odour of rotting meat but unlike any she'dever smelled. It rode over the stale sweat and urine of his body and clothes.

'No use,' Benna mumbled through greatly swollen lips. 'I'm dying. The pain is