was sheltered by an itinerant leather worker, who did not believe, of course, that I was the daughter of Marlenus of Ar. He treated me well the first evening, with gentleness and honor. I was grateful. In the morning, to his laughter, I awakened. His collar was on my throat." She looked at me, angrily. "He then used me well. Do you understand? He forced me to yield to him, I, the daughter of Marlenus of Ar, he only a leather worker. Afterwards he whipped me. He taught me to obey. At night he chained me. He sold me to a salt merchant." She regarded me. "I have had many masters," she said.
"Among them, " I Said, "Rask of Treve."
She stiffened. " I served him well," she said. "I was given no choice. It was he who branded me." She tossed her head. "Until then, many masters had regarded me as too beautiful to brand."
"They were fools," said Samos. "A brand improves a slave."
She put her head in the air. I had no doubt that this was one of the most beautiful women in Gor.
"It is because of you, I gather," said she to me, "that I have been permitted clothing for this interview. Further, I have you to thank, I gather, that I have been given the opportunity to wash the stink of the pens from my body."
I said nothing.
"The cages are not pleasant," she said. " My cage measures four paces by four paces. In it are twenty girls. Food is thrown to us from above. We drink from a trough."
"Shall I have her whipped?" asked Samos.
She paled.
"No," I said.
"Rask of Treve gave me to a panther girl in his camp, one named Verna. I was taken to the northern forests. My present master, noble Samos of Port Kar, purchased me at the shore of Thassa. I was brought to Port Kar chained top a ring in the hold of his ship. Here, in spite of my birth, I was placed in a pen with common girls."
"You are only another slave," said Samos.
"I am the daughter of Marlenus of Ar," she said proudly.
"in the forest," I said, "it is my understanding that you sued for freedom, begging in a missive that your father purchase you."
"Yes," she said. "I did."
"Are you aware," I asked, "that against you, on his sword and on the medallion of Ar, Marlenus swore the oath of disownment?"
"I do not believe it." She said.
"You are no longer his daughter" I said. "You are now without caste, without Homestone, without family."
"You lie!" she screamed.
"Kneel to the whip!" said Samos
Piteously she knelt, a slave girl. Her wrists were crossed under her, as though bound, her head was to the floor, the bow of her back was exposed.
She shuddered. I had little doubt but what this slave knew well, and much feared, the disciplining kiss of the Gorean slave lash.
Samos' sword was in his hand, thrust under the collar of her garment, ready to thrust in and lift, parting the garment, causing the robes to fall to either side, about her then naked body.
"Do not punish her," I told Samos.
Samos looked at me, irritably. The slave had not been pleasing.
"To his sandal, Salve," said Samos.
I felt Talena's lips press to my sandal. "Forgive me, Master" she whispered.
"Rise," I said.
She rose to her feet, and stepped back. I could see that she feared Samos.
"You were disowned," I told her. " Your status now, whether you know this or not, is less than that of the meanest peasant wench, secure