Norman, John - Gor 25 - Magicians of Gor.txt

by Magicians of Gor [lit]

  done so. Your work here is finished. You should go back to Port Cos.”

  “I do not think my presence with the troupe of Tarsk-Bit would make much

  difference,” he said.

  “Nonetheless,” I said, “your work here is finished.”

  “You have acquired the female for whom you came to Ar,” he said. “She is now

  your slave. Indeed, you could go fetch her now, from where she lies, chained and

  helpless. You could get her out of the city. You could carry her off. But you

  did not choose to do so. Rather you are letting her go.”

  “I look upon it differently,” I said. “I look more upon it as giving her, for a

  time, the run of her tether.”

  “You finished your work in Ar,” he said. “Why have you not left, taking your

  slave with you, if you wished?”

  “She is not important,” I said. “She is a mere slave girl.”

  “But you came to Ar for her,” he said. “And you let her maneuver herself

  perfectly, and helplessly, into your hands. It was a coup. She is yours.”

  “I think that I shall stay in Ar, for a time,” I said.

  “Why?” he asked. “You are not of Ar.”

  (pg. 492)”Why have you come back?” I asked. “Are you so fond of Ar?”

  “I hate Ar,” he said.

  “Why, then, have you returned?” I asked.

  “Because you are still here,” he said.

  “I, too, am hungry,” I said.

  He tore off a piece of bread. “Here,” he said.

  “I am grateful, Marcus, my friend,” I said.

  “It is nothing,” he said.

  We then, in the light of the small lamp, ate together.