For a moment Alurna stood there in thought. Then, dismissing the girl with a gesture, she turned and strode rapidly along the corridor, away from the audience hall.
Her head pounded with jumbled thoughts. Over and over she told herself that Jotan should never have the golden-skinned cave-girl. There were ways to prevent it; no slave could have the man Alurna wanted!
The princess went directly to her own apartment. Closing and bolting her door, she sank wearily onto the wide bed. With an arm across her eyes, she lay down, thinking bitter thoughts and shaping many plans to prevent Jotan from having the girl he desired. Each plan, however, was discarded in turn as being either too difficult to accomplish or too liable to failure.
How? How? How? Ask her father to refuse Jotan's request? No; that would bring to light facts she preferred kept hidden. Have her killed? Too dangerous. If Urim ever discovered who was responsible she would pay a terrible price.
And then out of nowhere came her answer. Alurna rolled over and sat up as the idea took shape in her mind.
"Anela!" she called.
Immediately someone tried the door, and finding it locked, rapped timidly.
Alurna rose and admitted the still apprehensive girl.
"Listen to me closely, Anela," commanded the princess, closing the door. "Do you know Meltor?"
Anela was surprised. "Why—yes. He is one of the guards stationed at the palace entrance."