"For the Games, of course," laughed Moranu. "Where else? Tell me, when have you seen before two slaves with such spirit and courage as these showed? It will be worth many an afternoon of boredom to watch these pit themselves against the fanged goraru[12] or the two-horned sneri[12] in the arena."
"Perhaps," gibed one of the young nobles slyly, "we might even match them against one of the—what were they called?—'Earthmen', when we capture the creatures."
And all laughed. Gary wondered what form that laughter would take were these carefree young noblemen to learn the truth about their captees.
"And the girls, I suppose, go to—" began still another speaker.
Moranu nodded. "Yes, of course."
"Too bad," murmured one of the younger noblemen regretfully. "The pale one I could use myself."
"The gold fleshed one for me," chuckled another.
"That's right," growled Lark between clenched teeth. "Talk it over. One day I'll make you eat each other's tongues."
"Who could not?" asked Moranu. "But we can afford to be magnanimous this once, and surrender them to our brother. After his long privations he deserves a little relaxation."