"How?"
"Victor hates me since I chose you. Now Sin has taken a fancy to him.
She will use him against us--if she suspects. And we both know Sin is
dangerously clever. But I hope we can use this one--against Sin through
Victor."
"But can you be sure--?"
"This one will do whatever I say." Margaret laughed confidently. "But
remember, Wor dearest, for a while Eldon must be my only love. Now
leave me alone with him."
The big man muttered an oath.
"Jealous? Don't be stupid, Wor. This should be a real surprise for Sin."
* * * * *
Eldon lay motionless, the slow, unsteady rise and fall of his chest the
only sign of life. But his brain was alert. He heard the tantalizing
sound of water being poured. A vessel was held to his lips and water
dribbled into his mouth. It took all his control to keep from gulping
greedily, and he had not had nearly enough when Margaret took the glass
away.
Once more there was water, this time mingled with perfumed soap on a
soft cloth as she washed the dirt from his face. Once he had delighted
to have this woman near him, but now it was all he could do to suppress
a shudder. Whenever her hands touched his skin he could _feel_ that she
was Of the Faith in a manner possible only through her own free will.
She snipped the tattered remains of his clothing away and applied a
soothing ointment to his cuts and scratches. He thought he understood
why she did not leave such ministrations to her slaves. She wanted his
first waking thoughts to be of her love and solicitude. His lips almost
thinned angrily.
He waited until she was growing impatient before he opened his single
bloodshot eye. And then he held his face blank and empty.
"Eldon," she whispered softly, in English. "Eldon, it's me, Margaret.
The girl who loves you."
"Margaret?" His voice was thick and hoarse, and that was not acting.
Thirst had left his throat cracked and dry.
"Poor Eldon!" Her tone was soothing, caressing. "What did those nasty
Rebels do to you?"
Eldon twisted his face in an idiotic grin. He giggled insanely, and
when she tried to touch him drew back like a frightened animal. He
muttered vaguely of horrors.
"Poor Eldon," she said again, and kissed him. With his increased
sensitivity it was all he could do to keep from retching as her lips
touched his. But he clung to her with his one shaking arm as though
begging her protection.
At last he lay back and gradually his trembling subsided.
Margaret bent over him. "Victor is here," she said slowly and
distinctly. "You remember Victor. He tried to kill you. I tried to save
you. Now you must get well and kill Victor. You hate Victor, just as
you love me."