And then, in pure surprise, Shannach spoke inside Trevor's mind. "I grow old indeed! I misjudged the toughness and the secrecy of a fresh, strong mind. I was too used to my obedient Korins."
"Do you see what's happening to the last of them?" Trevor asked savagely. "Can you see?"
The last of the Korins who had been outside with the slaves seemed to have been stunned and bewildered by the collapse of their world. And with the spontaneity of a whirlwind, the slaves had risen against this last remnant of their hated masters. They had waited for a long, long time, and now the Korins and the hawks were being done to death.
"Can you see it, Shannach?"
"I can see, Trevor. And—they're coming now for you!"
They were. They were coming, blood-mad against all who wore the sun-stone, and Jen was in the forefront of them, and Saul, whose hands were red.
Trevor knew that he had less than a half-minute to speak for his life. And he was aware that Shannach, still withdrawn, watched now with an edged amusement.
Trevor said harshly to Saul and all of them, "So I give you your freedom, and you want to kill me for it?"
Saul snarled, "You betrayed us in the cave, and now...."
"I betrayed you, but without intent. There was someone stronger than the Korins, that even you didn't know about. So how should I have known?"