His son nodded. "Soon I shall tell you what I have gone through since I last saw you. But first I have something to do."
He hesitated. How should he go about telling his father? He hoped Dylara would not exhibit that temper of hers the first time she met the chief.
"What must you do?" the chief asked, glancing sharply at the face of his son.
"I have taken a mate!" There—it was out!
His father never batted an eye.
"Where is she?"
"Somewhere in this place. A prisoner, I suppose. Katon, here, may be able to find her. She—she may not seem pleased that I have come for her."
Those last words came out with an effort. But sooner or later his father was bound to learn he had taken a mate by force.
The elder man pursed his lips to keep from smiling. He was shrewd enough to come very close to the true state of affairs. But what of it? His own courtship had been none too easy. Afterward, Nada and he had been closer than words could express. He had never, nor would ever, lose the pain that had come when she had been taken captive by some strange tribe so many years ago.