Lundy raised his head slowly. His eyes had a terrible brightness.
"You like to be worshiped," he whispered. "Would you like to be worshiped after you die? Would you like to be remembered always as something good and beautiful—a goddess?"
That would be better than to be forgotten.
"Will you do what I ask of you, then? You can save my life, if you will. You can save the lives of a lot of those little flower-people. I'll see to it that everyone knows your true story. Now you're hated and feared, but after that you'll be loved."
Will you let me free of this net?
"If you promise to do what I ask."
I would rather die at least free of this net. The tiny figure trembled and shook back the veil of dark hair. Hurry. Tell me....
"Lead these creatures away from the door. Lead all of them in the city away, to the fire in the mountain where they'll be destroyed."
They will worship me. It is better than dying in a net. I promise.
Lundy got up and went to the altar. His feet were not steady. His hands were not steady, either, untying the net. Sweat ran in his eyes. She didn't have to keep her promise. She didn't have to....