"I heard Yandro's words to the troops, by speaker system," he began
silkily. "Eloquent and inspiring--but Yandro must realize some salient
facts."
"Such as?" I prompted.
"The talk of friendly agreement with the Newcomers--ill be their fate!
They must be wiped clean off of Dondromogon."
"Perhaps," I agreed, and he smiled.
"I am honored that Yandro agrees so quickly--"
"I said, perhaps. Because I do not know the Newcomers as yet. It may
be that they deserve death to the last man. But they may also deserve
honorable treatment, alliance even."
He opened his mouth to speak again, but interruption came from outside.
Sounds of struggle, and the cry of Doriza:
"Help me--help!"
I bounded to the door and tore it open, injuring the automatic lock. An
officer stood in the outer office, and two soldiers had Doriza by the
wrists. I made a lunge, knocked one of them spinning against a wall.
"What is this?" I roared. "She is my aide."
"Her arrest has been commanded," spoke up Elonie in a sullen voice.
"Who commanded it? I countermand it!" I faced the roomful of protesting
faces. "You call me Yandro, your leader from divine source. Let me say
that nothing will happen to Doriza except by my will."
Gederr spoke from the inner doorway: "Great Yandro speaks in riddles. I
had thought that he had no attachment for Doriza."
"Oh, you tried to make me a gift of her last night," I exploded, "but
that has nothing to do with the present case. Doriza lives. She remains
free. Understand?"
"Perhaps," mused Sporr, as if to himself. "There have been
accidents...."
"Come," I said to Doriza. "To my quarters." I faced the others again.
"Danger to her shall be answered by me. Is it understood?"
We rode silently in the vehicle, and came to the rooms set aside for
me. Once inside, I made sure that speaking tubes and televiso were
turned off. Then:
"Doriza! There are things I do not know. Tell them to me."
She hung her head. "They would have seen me dead, like the others, to
shut my mouth."
"And I saved you. Now speak. All I seem to find familiar is the name of
Barak."