When they opened their eyes there was time for a simple meal and then Marcellus was summoned to the council of the tribal elders. On his way to the council hut he called in to see if Radulf was in any better frame of mind. Outside the long hut Miki was sitting, in full view of the doorway, her arms stretched out behind her, her face raised to the rapidly disappearing sun. Her eyes were closed.

'Miki,' he said, 'you should not be here.'

She opened her eyes and gazed at him demurely.

'I can go where I please,' she said with a pretty grin. 'Am I not daughter to the chief?'

'You are daughter to the chief indeed, but there are other places where you may sit, rather than outside the long hut, where you know you should not really be.'

'Angry Wolf, you should not tell me what to do. You are not even real Warikeewa! I am staying put!' And she closed her eyes. Marcellus shrugged his shoulders and went inside. Radulf was seated with his back to the wall, opposite the entrance. His eyes, in contrast to Miki's were wide open. Beside him, on the floor, were two further trays, the food from which had been eaten.

'She is looking after you well,' Marcellus said.

'You told me to eat.'

'You thanked her for her hospitality?'

'I have not yet done so. I will get round to it.'

'I have told her to move away from the entrance.'

'It does not bother me.'

'Good. I am now on my way to attend the council meeting.'

'I will prepare myself for my execution.'

'Your attitude does you little credit. I had wished that I might petition for you, saying that you offered their people no harm.'

'That would not be true. It is because of Warikeewa savages that my father dies with Rota Virensis,' Radulf said quietly.

'You have no proof of that.'

'I have my father's word.'

'He told you that he had contracted the disease from a Warikeewa?'

'Not exactly that, no.'

'Then what?'

'There was a skirmish at the border with Pekeesh. Many men were killed, more than the number of savages killed.' Marcellus laughed at his use of the word 'men' to describe his own people, and 'savages' to denote the bronzeskins. 'There were no other militia there. My father was captured but managed to escape. When he returned to Horta, he was showing signs of the Virensis.'

'If what you say is true, or rather if what your father says is true, this camp, and every Warikeewa camp hereabouts would be ravaged with the Virensis.'

'I would not know. I have not walked about the camp.'

'You have my word on it that there is no outbreak of the disease here. If there was, you and I would both be in quarantine huts now.'

'You presuppose that they have the intelligence to know that infected people should be isolated. I have seen no evidence of such intelligence.'

Marcellus's brows knitted and his eyes darkened. In truth, he was becoming annoyed with the young arrogant fool. He wondered if it would be better if the council did decide to have him executed.

'Maybe I should not petition for you after all. You appear not to deserve it.'

'As you please.....Angry Wolf!' Radulf said with a sneer. Abruptly, Marcellus left him and went to the council hut. There was still no news of Keewa and Kotsoteka and the party who had gone south to the border with Hor-Lak, and the motion was carried that in the morning a further three men would journey south in their wake for news of them. Then the matter was turned to whether or not Angry Wolf's companion should be treated as a guest or as a hostile. Makoma spoke first.

'We have heard from Angry Wolf that the youth means us no harm. This much was said to me on their arrival. At first my inclination was to treat him as hostile even though he accompanied Angry Wolf, and I directed that he be incarcerated in the long hut until we decided on his fate. But Angry Wolf's friendship to us is legendary. I do not believe he would knowingly bring into our camp someone who would do us harm. I therefore directed that he be freed until our hearing, and fed and watered as our guest.'

A murmur of general approval ran through the council, although some of the younger men clearly did not find this a particularly wise thing to do, and would have preferred to keep Radulf prisoner until the hearing was done. Marcellus asked leave to address the council.

'I have long been your friend. When I left you in the summer, I intended returning to Barbessel to ask for a reinforcement of the treaty that I believed existed between our two nations. In my homelands I found that during the time in which I had been gone, the treaty had been rescinded and a new one struck with Hor-Lak and by effect, with Vitellius, whom you know we defeated in our great battle. I myself was under threat of incarceration and execution in my own city because I had fought with you, Warikeewa and Hunyapi. I left in a hurry, believing that my best course of action would be to return here. Here I am among friends, I am safe. I have not abandoned hope of returning one day to my homelands, but for now I am safer here, and can serve your cause better from Warikeewa camp than from Horta prison or from the end of a gibbet. My enforced departure from Horta was assisted, unwittingly and unwillingly, by your other guest, my companion, Radulf. I had thought that by bringing him here to Warikeewa camp I could persuade him that what he had been told about you, what the Barbesselians had been persuaded, tricked into believing, was wholly untrue. I was wrong. He means you no individual harm, but he is filled with a racial hatred that I do not believe will disappear overnight. I came here to speak for him. I find that I cannot speak for him. You must do with him what you see fit, whatever is best for the tribe.'

Makoma nodded sagely. Again one or two of the younger men murmured to each other, but Marcellus was held in great respect, almost in awe, by them. Abruptly Makoma decreed that the remainder of the audience would be between just the two of them. When the others had left,

'It was thus when you first entered Warikeewa camp, Angry Wolf.'

'Not, it was not thus. I spoke to you on behalf of my companions, Flekwan and Cunyana, yet you did not believe me. Flekwan was executed on the spot, before my eyes.'

'It was a mistake,' Makoma said.

'No, it was not a mistake. It was a policy decision. It was your policy to execute Tuarassa. Flekwan was Tuarassa. I apportion no blame, nor ask for any apology. It was not for me to dictate your policy, or to ask you to go against what you thought to be right. I ask you candidly now, is it your policy to execute a man who professes himself your enemy?'

'It is.'

'Then you must take whatever action you think fit.'

'You do not plead for him?'

'I do not. He does not warrant it. He does not believe me, and if he does not believe me, what hope is there for him?' There was laughter at this.

'I am puzzled as to why you do not plead for him. You brought him here knowing that our policy would result in his instant death.'

'I brought him here because it was no longer safe for him in Horta.'

'Explain.'

'I used him to effect my escape from Horta. An old and trusted friend and I deceived him into aiding my escape. I had no choice but to take him with me. My friend would have suffered greatly had I allowed the youth to return to Horta and spin his tale.'

'There is a Warikeewa saying,' Makoma said. 'A man may have many friends. His only true friend is the one he would not knowingly endanger. By bringing Radulf with you to Warikeewa you have knowingly endangered his life.'

'So that I would not knowingly endanger the life of my older and more trusted friend. I hardly know the youth who sits in the long hut. I never saw him before yesterday.'

'It seems to me,' Makoma said, 'that you have knowingly endangered the life of one whose friendship did not belong to you. In the philosophy of the Warikeewa, that logically makes him your enemy.'

'He is not my enemy. He is my countryman.'

'But you cannot say that you did not know his life was forfeit the moment you entered the camp.'

'No, I cannot say that.'

'In effect, you brought a countryman, whose friendship you did not have, to certain death.'

'Your logic is inescapable, Makoma,' Marcellus said. Now his heart was heavy.

'You cannot know that your old and trusted friend survived the ramifications of your escape from Horta city.'

'No, I do not know how he fared, it is true.'

'Your escape from Horta may have resulted in the deaths of two of your countrymen.'

'Again, I cannot cast doubt on your logic. I was wrong to bring him here.'

'You had no choice.'

'I did not believe that any other course of action was open to me. The choices were clear. If I allowed Radulf to return to Horta, my old and trusted friend, who helped me to escape, would now be dead.'

'There was one other choice.'

'Which was?'

'To kill him yourself. By bringing him to Warikeewa camp you have involved the Warikeewa in something which is none of their business. We have no quarrel with him, Angry Wolf, yet you expect us to sort out a matter which is neither of our making nor of any interest to us.'

'I could not kill him myself. It would not have been fair. He is so thin, and wasted. His father in Horta dies of the Virensis. He would not have been able to defend himself against me.....'

'What, do you think you are invincible, then!' Makoma roared suddenly.

Marcellus, himself shaken by the unexpected outburst from the senior tribesman, coloured instantly. Makoma continued.

'Good, now that your composure has been shaken, maybe I can put an end to this sorry affair. Angry Wolf, no one doubts the enormous contribution you made to the defeat of our common enemies that short time ago. You are always welcome in Warikeewa camp. But now there is a subtle difference. Now there are no longer common enemies, because Barbessel has declared against Pekeesh where once we were allies. As soon as you returned to your homelands you were made aware of that fact, and made your decision to escape to safety, the safety of Warikeewa camp. In so doing you involved two of your countrymen, an old and trusted friend, whom you knew would help you no matter what the consequences might be to him and his family members, and a young man you had never met before. As far as you were concerned, because he did not believe you, he was immediately expendable. You used him for your escape plan, and knowingly brought him out of his country and into Pekeesh, where you knew the odds against him being allowed to live were extremely low. You have made a serious mistake in this, Angry Wolf, a serious mistake indeed.'

Marcellus nodded sadly.

'I need your assistance in solving this riddle, Makoma,' he said.

'You have confused the fact of your believing your cause to be right with the fact of it actually being right, my friend,' Makoma said.

'I did not see it that way at the time.'

'Had he been an enemy, you would have been partially justified in your action, but only because of your overpowering belief in your own state of being right.'

'But because he is my countryman, and not an enemy, I should have found a way not to involve him?'

'Of course.'

'In some ways, if I identify myself with the Warikeewa, is the youth not an enemy?'

'Do you believe yourself to be a traitor?'

'To Barbessel? Never. I have always fought for Barbessel. Even when I joined with the Warikeewa and fought against the Hor-Laki I was in effect fighting for Barbessel.'

'Do you believe Radulf is a traitor?'

'He was attempting to defend the city.'

'Against you.'

'Against me.'

'His loyalty is to Barbessel.'

'Unquestioningly.'

'As is yours.'

'Absolutely.'

'You have erred in your judgement, Angry Wolf.'

'I can not turn back time, Makoma.'

'You have learned a hard lesson this evening.'

'I have. What will you do with the boy?'

'He is painfully thin. He needs good food, and exercise. He will be put to work.'

'My thanks to you for your wisdom, Makoma.'

'It is often the case that we do things, motivated correctly, but foreseeing not all of the consequences. I am persuaded of two things, that you did not consciously intend for the boy to die, and that he does not really bear us any ill-will.'

'He is stubborn, and arrogant, and pig-headed, ill-mannered and bad tempered.'

'Not like you then?'

Marcellus laughed.

'No, not like me. Will you give him to the women?'

'I see no need to put him through what we put you through.'

'I do not understand the logic of that.'

'I will attempt to explain. You came to us from the north-west, accompanied by a Tuarassa man and a gathered woman. You came from Eskishehir. You were stubborn, arrogant, pig-headed, ill-mannered and bad tempered. It was necessary to tame your spirit.'

'You did not attempt to tame the Tuarassa's spirit in the same fashion. You killed him, on the spot!'

Makoma permitted himself a small smile.

'I was right about you, Angry Wolf. Your name was well-chosen. It encompasses all that is wrong and all that is right with you. You are angry with Warikeewa, although you say that you are not. You still resent the fact that we executed a sworn enemy even though.....'

'.....even though I spoke for him. You did not listen.'

'The circumstances were different. He was dying.'

'Evidently.'

'Angry Wolf, if you harbour ill-will because of something we have long forgotten, you should not keep it within yourself. It should be exorcised.'

Marcellus dropped his head, embarrassed and confused.

'Your choice of words regarding the matter of the young man I have brought with me have served to do just that, wise one. I can see that an affair such as the one we have discussed may be viewed from many different perspectives because it touches the lives of several different people. I was angry, I still am angry that you did not listen to me the first time. Now I am no longer confused as to why that should be. You have caused me to see an old affair in a new light.'

'There was no point in keeping him alive. As I recall, he was badly wounded.'

'We thought he would recover.'

'Again, there are many perspectives attaching to that affair.'

'Speak to me of one.'

'Tuarassa and Warikeewa are traditional enemies. I will not go into the enormous hurt we inflict on each other. It is sufficient to say that neither people expect quarter. Having been brought to Warikeewa camp, Flekwan would not have expected to be allowed to live. Add to that the probability that carrying him all that way would not have eased his wounds, but would rather have caused them aggravation, and you are left with a dying man in a hostile camp. What would your choice be? To die honourably or to let an enemy patch you up in readiness for further torture?'

Marcellus nodded.

'And yet you permitted me and Cunyana to live.'

'This matter we have already discussed. You are not Tuarassa. Keewa and Broken Nose saw in you the making of a sound ally. It was necessary first to break your spirit, then allow it to reform itself and rise up again.'

'And Cunyana?'

'Cunyana's death was unfortunate, the result of treacherous deception. None of us could have foreseen such an occurrence.'

'And Golden Hair?'

'Golden Hair was different. Osatai claimed to have seen her leading the Hunyapi into battle against us. At the time, his word was the word. No one doubted him.'

'And my word counted for nothing?'

'In the case of a smoke house vision, nothing at all. Osatai walked with the Gods, and he saw Golden Hair leading the Hunyapi into battle.'

'It did not happen like that.'

'It was prevented.'

Again Marcellus nodded. He was now at peace with himself for incidents not forgotten but receding into memory.

'My thanks to you again, Makoma, for your wisdom in these affairs which have been troubling me. The council was called primarily to discuss an action regarding a search party to find out what was happening to Keewa and Kotsoteka. Was anything decided?'

'A scout was sent out early today,' Makoma said. 'He returned before the council meeting with news that Keewa's party is resting a day's ride away from here. Keewa will be back tomorrow.'

'And Kotsoteka?'

'There was no mention of Kotsoteka.' Kotsoteka was Keewa's nephew. Marcellus had himself witnessed the transformation of the chief's only nephew from youth to warrior in the ceremony of the moon dance, in which the youth had been tied between two ponies, the ponies turned loose. If the warrior succeeded in taming the ponies and preventing them from pulling him in two halves, he was adjudged fit to become a warrior. Later, Marcellus had himself undergone the same ritual.

'Shall we ride to meet them?'

Makoma shook his head.

'It will not be necessary. Keewa will ride through the night. He will be here at first light.'

'I hope that Kotsoteka is not hurt.'

'That is the wish of us all, Angry Wolf.'

'I thank you for your time, Makoma.'

'I would have your word on the youth, Angry Wolf.'

'My word?'

'That his life is forfeit should he offer a Warikeewa insult or harm.'

'You have my word. I will dispatch him myself if he utters a word against your people.'

Makoma nodded. Marcellus took his leave of him and returned to the long hut. Although it was quite dark, Miki still sat outside the hut, now turned to face the interior. In the light of the smaller moon Marcellus could see that she was breathtakingly beautiful, and he had no doubt about what she was trying to do. He seated himself beside her.

'You should by now be back in your own hut.'

'I am doing no harm.'

'While you are here, he will not come out of the long hut.'

'What is that to me?'

'What is it to you that you remain here when you could be in your own hut?'

'I am enjoying the air.'

'You are looking for trouble. I advise you to leave.'

'You cannot make me leave.'

'Your father will not be pleased.'

'I have done nothing wrong.'

'You have done nothing right, either. He is not a prisoner.'

'He is not Warikeewa.'

'Makoma has decreed that he should be free to go where he pleases within the camp. In return for his freedom he will work.'

Mini nodded.

'He has eaten all the food I brought him.'

'He was hungry, no doubt.'

'He should eat more. There is nothing of him.'

'Miki, are you attracted to him?'

'Should I be?'

'It holds no logic for me.'

'He is not Warikeewa.'

'Neither am I.'

'What has that to do with it?'

'I am free to go around the camp. I can spend the night with Kanchankikiwana if I so choose.'

'Do you so choose?'

'I would see Radulf settled first.'

'What kind of name is that?'

'It is a Barbesselian name.'

'It is a stupid name.'

'What name would you give him?'

'It is not for me to give him a name.'

'What name would you give him if it were up to you?'

'Running Scared.'

'Why?'

'He is scared witless.'

'He is proud, and stubborn, and arrogant.'

'He is scared that he is going to die. He is not a warrior.'

'He was a guard, in Horta.'

'Guarding something does not necessarily make one a warrior.'

'No, you are right. I do not think he has had time to become a warrior.'

'He is not strong enough. He does not eat enough.'

'But you say he is afraid?'

'He is afraid to die. I have keen hearing. His breathing is heavy, and agitated. He fidgets a lot.'

'I will ask you again, are you attracted to him?'

'Do you think I should be attracted to one such as him? There is, besides hunger, and fear, much anger and hatred in him. I could never be attracted to such a man. Besides, he is too thin.'

'Then why do you remain here, outside the long hut?'

'I am curious.' Abruptly she got to her feet.

'You are leaving?'

'I am no longer curious. Now I am tired. Was there news of my father?'

'He will be home in the morning.' Miki nodded.

'And of Kotsoteka? News of him also?'

'I personally had no news of him.'

'Did you personally ask for news of Kotsoteka?'

'I did. None was given. There again, no mention was made of any harm having befallen him.'

'I am returning to my hut now, Angry Wolf. You may tell Running Scared that I will bring him more food at first light.'

'I will tell him.'

Marcellus watched the beautiful bronzeskin maiden disappear into the night and entered the long hut. Radulf was outwardly calm, still arrogant, but Marcellus began to suspect that the girl had been correct in her assumptions about him. He looked drawn, and haggard, and there was deep-seated anxiety in his eyes which was plain for all to see.

'You were gone a long time,' Radulf said.

'I was in council with Makoma for a long time, and then I had some conversation with your hostess. She is the daughter of the chief. I trust you were mannered in your dealings with her. But that is not important. Radulf, you are free to go about the camp. In return for your freedom you will work, in the fields, in the kitchens, with the building, anything.'

'I would rather die!'

'I do not think so, Radulf.'

'I will not work for them.'

Marcellus turned to leave.

'You cannot blame these people for the illness your father has contracted, Radulf,' he said. 'They have never had Rota Virensis in Warikeewa camp. You know that as well as I do. If they had, there would be an area set aside for the sufferers. There is no such area.'

'They may have their area outside the camp, in the hills.'

Marcellus shook his head emphatically.

'You have seen Rota Virensis. You know what it does to you. You do not think seriously that the Warikeewa would order their sick and dying out of the camp? The infected need to be cared for day after day, night after night until they die.'

'I am not convinced.'

'I do not care if you are convinced or not. Tomorrow, after you have eaten, you will be set to work. You will do whatever work you are given to do, you will accept the food and drink that is lavished on you, and you will remain thankful you are still alive. Do I make myself clear?'

'Perfectly,' Radulf said, but there was something in his tone that Marcellus did not like. He returned to Kanchankikiwana's hut thoughtfully, finding her waiting for him, naked on the furs. He marvelled at her nakedness, tweaked her nipples playfully whilst she assisted him out of his garments, and then bent to the more enjoyable task of loving her.