"You mean she hasn't...."
"That's exactly what I do mean. I'm her bodyguard. She gave me to
understand the first day that our association was to be strictly
business." He made a wry grimace. "And that's what it has been!"
"But why--" Tamis looked utterly dumbfounded. "She acted like a wanton
aboard ship."
"It was just an act. Don't ask me why. I don't know."
"Where is she now?"
"In conference with her father."
Tamis rose shakily. "I don't understand it, Joel. There are wheels
within wheels. I must get back to the Thinkers."
Joel guided her through the walls to a tiny lift barely large enough to
hold them both. They dropped swiftly to the basement, traversed a long
tunnel.
"This comes out in an alley beyond the gates," Joel informed her. "Have
you heard anything of Nick Thorp?"
"He escaped," Tamis said, "He's staying in my village."
"Thorp?"
"Yes. He joined the outlaws first. But he had trouble with Walt Eriss.
Eriss had him thrown into a herd of nigel trees."
"Good Lord," said Joel. "How did he get away?"