And Fors, remembering the days just past, agreed. “He is strong and a mighty warrior and he has done other things your legend singer must weave words about.”
“You are not of our people. Your skin”—she compared his hand with hers—“it is light. And your hair-it is like Becie’s necklace when the sun shines upon it. You are not of us Dark People—”
Fors shook his head. In that company of warm brown skins and black hair his own lighter hide and silver head-capping must be doubly conspicuous.
“I come from the mountains-far to the east—” He waved a hand.
“Then you must be of the cat people!”
Fors’ gaze followed her pointing finger. Nag and Lura sat together at a good distance from the sheep and the tough little ponies as they had apparently been ordered to do. But, at Fors’ welcoming thought, Lura came up, leaving Nag behind. Rosann laughed with pure delight and threw her arms around the cat’s neck, hugging her tight. The rumble of Lura’s purr was her answer and a rough pink tongue caressed her wrist.
“Do all you people of the mountains have the big cats for your own friends?”
“Not all. The cat ones are not so many and it is for them to choose with whom they will hunt. This is Lura who is my good friend and roving companion. And that yonder is Nag who runs with the Star Captain.”
“I know-the Star Captain Jarl, he who has the kind eyes. He talks in the night with my father.”
“Kind eyes.” Fors was a little startled at a description so at variance with what he thought he knew. Though Rosann probably did not see Jarl as he appeared to a mutant and tribal outlaw.