The Caligan stopped talking.
Jupiter let his breath run out between his teeth. The orange sun was sinking into the Dra Dur. Lete's yellow eyes glittered. The Nehogan general opened his mouth to speak. But Jupiter silenced him with an imperative gesture.
"This is not something to be decided without thought," he told the unwinking emissary. "We'll give you our answer before daybreak." He turned to the guards. "Lock him in my cabin."
No sooner had the door closed on the Caligan envoy, than Lete sprang to her feet. She was clad in the fur of some jungle beast. A sword and dagger hung at her waist. She made Jupiter think of a savage Joan of Arc more than ever and he could feel his heart sink.
"There is but one answer," she flashed, "and that's to attack! Attack tonight before they can bring up reinforcements.
"This is the first time the Kagans have been united. Do they think we're foolish enough to throw away everything for the life of a man and a girl!"
Jupiter didn't say anything.
The Nehogan general shook his head. He looked somewhat like Reiloc except that he was older, heavier.
"After all," he said, "many men will die during the battle. Is that any reason to abandon the fight? What's the life of two people against the whole world? I don't understand it. The Anolyn must be very desperate to offer such terms. It is a trick, maybe."
"No," said Jupiter. "No, I don't think it's a trick." But he knew that it would be impossible to explain his feelings either to the cave girl or the Nehogan general. Such sentimentality was foreign to their natures. If he attempted to dissuade them from their purpose, they would go ahead in spite of him. And he couldn't blame them.