"But—but how?"
"I am not sure. But I think the cherry-light has the power of absorbing all water from the human body, thus dwindling it instantly to a husk. The green ray interrupts the nerve-centers, breaking the brain's contacts with other organs." The Mother's face was resigned. "All these things and many others you would have learned, Meg, had not this catastrophe come upon us. And had not you returned from the Place of the Gods with—a mate."
Her last word reminded Meg of that latent question which the green ray had driven from her mind. Instantly her heart was cold with dread.
"Daiv! Oh, Mother—Daiv! I do not see him. Is he one of—of those?"
Her eyes stared with horrid fascination at the tiny pile of simulacra the invading warriors were raking together. But it was not the Mother who answered. It was Lora, now come to their side. The Warrior Chieftain's lean face was etched with scorn.
"No, Meg, your Man-thing is not there! That would be an honorable death for him."
Meg faltered, "Then—then where—?"
The Mother's eyes, in pity, would not meet Meg's. "He fled, Meg."
"Fled! Daiv fled!" Meg stared, every fibre of her body taut as the gut of a bow. "I—I do not believe it!"
Even Lora's harsh voice was more gentle as she said, "It is true. He was but a Man, Meg; a Man, weak and cowardly. With the first breath of fighting he turned and fled the camp. Into the hills beyond."