He dropped to a jutting rock and scraped at the dead leaves with the heel of his sandal.
"It's not nice," he began, "the life I live. Hiding in the woods by day, sneaking into deserted houses or taverns at night for food and warmth. I've been doing it all summer now, and that's bad enough. In a month the Masters of these upper levels will be closing their houses and the taverns, moving to town for the winter. Everything on the lower levels will be taken up. They expect me to be starved into surrender."
Theta dropped to her knees beside him.
"I'd rather be with you. I've wanted to be with you ever since I first saw you. But you never seemed to notice me."
"I noticed you." He placed a hand over hers. "But you were so young looking, so sweet. I was waiting for you to grow up a little more. Then, when I found an open Mastership, I was going to ask you to share it with me."
Theta felt a tingling happiness. Her face flushed, her eyes brightened.
"Henry!" she cried. "I've always wanted you! That's why I never...."
He put an arm about her and pulled her close. They sat that way for minutes.
"I'll give you a Mastership!" he cried out. "I'll give you the whole valley!" He pushed her shoulders around until she was facing him. "What is your first wish, Mistress of the Valley?"
"Something to eat," she said promptly.