Each man slowly leaned backwards as far as they could and looked up at the tall body of a heavy set man, dressed in plain-looking robes and he was fanning himself from the heat.
"Release them!" said the leper and several of the hunters cut the ropes and the two captives got up from the ground beating themselves clean from the dust in their clothing.
"Thank-you!" said Boyce.
"Yes!" echoed Lloyd.
They looked at one another for a long time, then the Palatkans that had them released spoke.
"I am Urre, ruler of this race!" he said then proceeded. "I will ask you why you attacked my men?"
Lloyd and Boyce glanced over at each other and Boyce spoke.
"We seek forgiveness for that aggression!" he said and the Palatkan ruler waited. "We slept on the hill and when we woke we saw your men. Unaccustomed to seeing Palatkans, we undertook to defend ourselves. We are sorry!"
Boyce finished and Lloyd felt ill because of Boyce's statement about the Palatkan's appearance.
Urre had an insulted expression and from behind him came a sedate and shy voice. It was a man's voice yet it was very gentle.