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On leaving The Silent Kajira, the pair agree to head back they way they arrived, not with the deliberate intent of retracing their steps, but simply to give themselves time to think, and to allow Kragus further time to recuperate. Having settled their accounts with the Keeper and the Healer and purchased provisions and gear for the road, they take their laden saddlebags to the stables and find their kailla well-groomed and eager for the road. In parallel stalls, Kragus and Eder pitch their saddlebags over the backs of the beasts and begin to tighten the harness straps, Kragus looks over the back of his animal and says, " I have a thought......" " That must have been a novel experience for you." Eder grins in reply. " No. I mean this seriously, I have been thinking of different ways we could approach this.. What we really need to do is to get hold of those codes and maybe even intercept some of those messages, even one would be enough to prove the point. If we could also trap one of the merchants, or even one of the informants that would be even better. As things stand, there is no-one who we can provide for the Tuchuk torturers to put to the question, no-one from whom the truth can be forced in a way which would lend weight to our story to ensure that it will be believed. Think for a moment, what do we really have.... The word of a dead man, supported by the conjecture of a disowned Assassin, and of an aged veteran, set against that the power and influence of some of the most respected men on Gor, whether or not that respect is deserved. I have to say, our position is not strong." " Go on........" " I was thinking we need to develop a plan of campaign, one which is sufficiently flexible to adjust in the face of setback, yet also robust enough not to be derailed if one part of it happens to fail. It seems to me that, so far, you have been reacting to events, relying on luck, on being in the right place at the right time. We need to decide what we want to happen, break it down into its component parts and find a way to make it come about. If one element is unsuccessful, have in place something else which will achieve our goal. Plans and contingencies, my young friend, so we are in control. Any Commander worthy of the name will seek a means of keeping his foe off balance whilst his plans come to fruition, that is where we need to be..." " I can see that, so how do we do this ? " " It is easy to say , but hard to do. We need time to work this through, to anticipate how the enemy will react in particular circumstances, and be clear about how we respond. It sounds to me that we have a taxing topic for evenings around the fire. I think we should disappear for a while, and when we return, we do so with a clear strategy. How does that sound ?" Eder thinks quietly while he makes final adjustments to the straps on his beast's harness... " Sounds good to me, are you ready to go ?" " Aye, lad... Ready as I'll ever be." The pair lead their beasts from the stable into the courtyard of the Tavern, Eder leaps into the saddle, Kragus eases himself slowly up, careful of his arm. Turning the animals to the southern trail, they apply their heels to the kaillas' flanks, kicking the whirling, excited animals into a trot. Hauling back on the reins to bring the beasts under full control the slowly leave the cultivated areas behind them. Reaching the base of the sloping road, they allow the kailla to pick up pace. >From an upstairs window a figure watches from behind a partially drawn curtain. As Eder and Kragus disappear from view behind the screening forest, the figure turns, tucking white hair back under a cap, his pink eyes crinkling at the edges as a sneering smile crosses his face. He murmurs.... " Like tabuk to the slaughter .... Soon Assassin....very soon." The old soldier will not pose too much of a problem, but a pity that those fools had not killed him when they had the chance, if only he had thought to dip the bolts in venom ... He walks to the door, stepping over the crumpled body of the Healer. He pauses, looks down and clears his throat. He spits on the body. "And as for you, you should have learned ... if I pay you for information, you deliver." As he walks away his boot crushes the vial of venom, which he had forced into the Healer's mouth.....
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Chapter Twenty One -
"Departure"