Once more his great jaws ripped, slashed and sent Nelson sprawling.
There came a time when Nelson tried to spring again and could not. Whipped to standstill, he stood trembling on legs braced far apart, his flanks heaving, his head hanging low. He left blood and sweat wetting his hairy wolf-body.
Tark's though asked, "Have you learned, cub?"
Nelson answered, "I have learned." But still the dulled fire of rage burned in him.
Tark's mind said grimly, "Do not forget!"
He trotted back to Nsharra's side and began to lick his fur, keeping one mocking eye on the creature that was Eric Nelson. Kree leaned forward, his deep-set gaze brooding somberly upon the wolf that was Nelson.
"Listen," he said. "Listen, Eric Nelson, to the price of your deliverance."
He waited, as though for Nelson's shaken mind to clear, before he went on.
"Go back to your comrades, Eric Nelson. Go back to the Humanites. Bring my son to me alive and safe and you shall be a man again."
Nelson voiced a bitter, snarling laugh.