Mertaan had no difficulty in divining them. "We cannot move until the ships come. If you strive to change this I shall kill you swiftly and silently. I shall kill everyone in the cell to ensure silence."
Mike's look remained fixed. He knew he did not have the courage to watch Doree die horribly when there was a key and a weapon within his reach. He deliberately forced the cold look from his face but whether the Baserite's suspicion was lulled, he could not tell.
Mertaan smiled coldly and said, "There is another of your kind in the cell block."
Mike took a step forward, but the Baserite stepped warily back. "An old man?" Mike asked.
"A very old man. He is four cells down. We know nothing of him because no one can speak his language."
Professor Brandon! Mike sent up a silent prayer of thanksgiving. "He will be released when the time comes?"
"If he chooses. None will be forced to go against their wishes, but I cannot imagine anyone refusing."
Mike turned to the bars gripping them hard. Several priests were working ghoulishly over the body of the dead Baserite. Mike looked toward the various entrances to the pit. Through which of these would they bring Doree? He prayed that none of the doors would open.
But as though part of a plan to torture him, one of the doors opened suddenly. Two guards came through.