"Your ally waits to hear the decision of the council," Koyala retorted coldly.
Wobanguli interposed. "There are things, bilian, that are not fitting for the ear of a woman," he murmured suavely, with a sidelong glance at Ah Sing.
"I am a warrior, Rajah, as well as a woman, with the same rights in the council that you have," Koyala reminded.
Wobanguli smiled his pleasantest. "True, my daughter," he agreed diplomatically. "But he is not yet ours. When we have snared the bird it is time enough to talk of how it shall be cooked."
"You told me at Bulungan that this would be decided on shipboard," Koyala replied sharply. A tempest began to kindle in her face. "Am I to be used as a decoy and denied a voice on what shall be done with my prisoner?"
"We haven't decided—" Van Slyck began.
"That is false!"
Van Slyck reddened with anger and raised his hand as though to strike her. Koyala's face was a dusky gray in its pallor and her eyes blazed with contempt.
"Peace!" Ah Sing rumbled sternly. "He is my prisoner. I marked him for mine before he was named resident."
"You are mistaken, Datu," Koyala said significantly. "He is my prisoner. He comes here upon my invitation. He comes here under my protection. He is my guest and no hostile hand shall touch him while he is here."