The Baemae youth who was the victim's brother buried his face in his hands.
Still the girl in the pit said nothing. She seemed to have eyes only for the roller.
Zenaor's black brows drew together. "Get on with it!"
Vydys murmured, "The game begins...." Her face set in a mask of concentration.
Down in the ring, the roller began to move once more. Slowly at first, then faster, it bowled around in a long curve.
The girl slid along the wall, keeping space between her and the creature.
Vydys' lips parted, peeled back over sharp white teeth. Her fingers wrapped tight around the throne-arm.
The roller swerved sharply. Gathering speed, it hurtled towards the girl.
She darted sideways.
The roller struck the wall with a meaty thud. Then, rotating so rapidly its pad-facets blurred, it raced along the pitside, close on its victim's heels.