"Your life is forfeit, but you look strong. Perhaps you can prove yourself worth keeping. Join the slaves."
He struck his webbed hands together. A human man ran in.
Like Mara and the other crossbow-girls, this man was blond, but the resemblance ended there. He wore loose, brief garments of elastic fabric, no weapons, and his face was mild and servile. Phra pointed to Planter.
"Below with him! Put him to the spring mill!"
The slave beckoned, and led Planter away, studying him curiously.
Planter spoke at once: "You have many friends here, in slavery? Perhaps I can get you out of this."
"Out of this!" The echo was horrified. "To starve in the jungle? Marry, sir, art mad or sick to say such a thing! Come, down these stairs."
Planter obeyed his new companion. They went down a dim, stone stairway, lighted with green bulbs. From below came sounds of mechanical action.
"What's your name?" Planter asked the slave.