“Likely enough,” I said. “I do not trust that insane brute. Still, he wishes to be rid of us.”
“Yes, but as he said, live men may return, whereas the dead do not.”
“Atene thinks otherwise,” I commented.
“And yet she threatened us with death,” answered Leo.
“Because her shame and passion make her mad,” I replied, after which we were silent.
Presently the door opened, and through it came the Khan, muffled in a great cloak as though to disguise himself.
“Come,” he said, “if you are ready.” Then, catching sight of the spears we held, he added: “You will not need those things. You do not go a-hunting.”
“No,” I answered, “but who can say—we might be hunted.”
“If you believe that perhaps you had best stay where you are till the Khania wearies of Yellow-beard and opens the gates for you,” he replied, eyeing me with his cunning glance.
“I think not,” I said, and we started, the Khan leading the way and motioning us to be silent.