Stark nodded. "I think, little one, that I owe you my life. Luhar would have killed me as soon as I tackled Freka."
He reached over and touched her hand where it lay on the bridle. She smiled, a young girl's smile that seemed very sweet in the moonlight, honest and comradely.
It was odd to be talking of death with a pretty girl in the moonlight.
Stark said, "Why does Delgaun want to kill me?"
"He gave no reason, when he spoke to the man from Venus. But perhaps I can guess. He knows that you're as strong as he is, and so he fears you. Also, the Lady Berild looked at you in a certain way."
"I thought Berild was Kynon's woman."
"Perhaps she is—for the time," answered Fianna enigmatically. Then she shook her head, glancing around with what was almost fear. "I have risked much already. Please—don't let it be known that I've spoken to you, beyond what I was sent to say."
Her eyes pleaded with him, and Stark realized with a shock that Fianna, too, stood on the edge of a quicksand.
"Don't be afraid," he said, and meant it. "We'd better go."
She swung her beast around, and as she did so she whispered, "Be careful, Eric John Stark!"