She extended her hands, wrists joined together.
"Bind me," she said wearily. "I love you, Nikka Zaranko. If I can help you in no other way, then, I will help you by staying here."
He bound her gently, hand and foot, without a word, and laid her on the floor by the bed. I ascended the ladder, and pushed back the trapdoor.
"You will come again?" she asked, looking up at him with mournful eyes.
"If I do, it will be as an enemy," he returned.
"Your enemies are my enemies," she cried, struggling to a sitting position. "With a woman it is her man who counts. She cares nothing for the tribe—unless it be her man's. Now, you are my man, Nikka Zaranko."
Nikka stooped over her, and I scrambled up on the roof. I believe he kissed her. I heard his feet on the ladder-rungs, and his voice calling back:
"You are a brave girl. We will talk about this some other time, if the stars are kind."
"Oh, we shall meet again," she replied, her cords creaking as she dropped flat on the floor. "I am as sure of it as if Mother Kathene had told me when the sight was on her."
To me he merely said: