She started. I reached and barely touched her hand. She stopped. "I will talk with you later, Gravgak."
"Now!" he shouted. "Alone."
He stalked off. A moment later Vauna, after exchanging a word with her father, excused herself from the crowd and followed Gravgak.
From the way those in the room looked, I knew this must be a dramatic moment. It was as if she had acknowledged Gravgak as her master—or her lover. He had called for her. She had followed.
But her old father was still the master. He stepped toward the door. "Vauna!... Gravgak!... Come back."
(I will always wonder what might have happened if he hadn't called them! Was my distrust of Gravgak justified? Had I become merely a jealous lover—or was I right in my hunch that the tall muscular guard was a potential traitor?)
Vauna reappeared at once. I believe she was glad that she had been called back.
Gravgak came sullenly. At the edge of the crowd in the arched doorway he stood scowling.
"While we are together," old Tomboldo said quietly, looking around at the assemblage, "I must tell you the decision of the council. Soon we will move back to the other part of the world."
There were low murmurs of approval through the chamber.