Gorla gave him a rueful smile. "By the Goddess, I believe you'd do it, too."
"There is a girl here," Telis snapped. "What do you know about her?" If the girl actually were a Tellurian, she would be an invaluable hostage.
"Girl?" Gorla looked puzzled.
"Quickly!"
"It's true that there is a girl here, but—"
"Who is she? Why was she brought here?" demanded Telis.
"She was found by one of our patrol sleds ... lost in the desert and near dead. They picked her up and brought her here. Since then she has remained ... voluntarily."
Telis gave a short, hard laugh. "You can do better than that, Gorla!"
The Priest shrugged. "Then why ask me if you don't intend to believe the truth?"
"I'll hear it from her. We are leaving, friend, and she goes with us!"