Kur of Gor

Chapter, the Ninth: CABOT RENEWS HIS ACQUAINTANCE WITH A BLONDE

"The light is dim,” said Cabot.

"Your eyes will soon grow accustomed to it,” said Peisistratus.

They had been winding their way through dark passageways, for several Ehn. Here and there in the passageways there were openings, commonly low, and broad, to accommodate the movements of Kurii. These led, severally, to other passageways and, in some instances, to apartments, some with several rooms. Much of the food in the various valleys was prepared centrally, so to speak, and eaten at common tables. There were, however, pantries with supplies, and cooking gear, in many of these apartments, which might be utilized when desired.

"Doubtless,” said Peisistratus, “you prefer the outside."

"Yes,” said Cabot. For example, the small, villa-like dwelling which had been set aside for him, of some four rooms, on the side of a hill, with a veranda, was open, light, and airy. It was, of course, the sort of place that would better suit a human than at least most Kurii, who might have felt it too open, too insecure, too exposed to attack.

"You would like the Pleasure Cylinder,” said Peisistratus. “Too, there are few Kurii there."

"You find Kurii disturbing?"

"Yes,” said Peisistratus. “And so, too, might a verr if it found larls in its vicinity."

"Ai!” said Cabot, shielding his eyes.

"Forgive me,” said Peisistratus, his hands on a portal, half swung open, “I should have warned you, the passageways occasionally lead to open ledges, tiers of caves, and such."

Cabot and his guide emerged on a path, to their left a descent, rather steep, of some fifty feet or so, and on their right a set of caves, and above them, another set, and above that several more sets.

"We will soon be again in the passages,” said Peisistratus.

"Human, human, human!” they heard, an excited feminine voice, from above.

Cabot shaded his eyes and looked upward.

"I am making noises!” called the voice. “I am speaking. If you can understand me, say, ‘Yes!’”

On a small ledge, before one of the caves, looking down, on all fours, Cabot saw the blonde.

"Yes,” he called to her.

Behind her, emerging from the cave, large, half-standing, he saw Grendel.

The blonde scurried down the slope and reached out, to pinch at his tunic.

"That is grooming,” said Peisistratus.

"Female,” said the blonde, happily, pointing to herself. “Female!"

"Yes,” said Cabot, smiling, “female.” He was in little doubt about that. The pet collar, high and leather, set her off nicely.

Her handling of the sounds may not have been perfect, but it was comprehensible. Even in the container Cabot recalled she had managed to repeat several phonemes flawlessly.

She looked up at him, happily. The collar was, as noted, high, and she could not well lower her head without a movement of her entire body, though she could, of course, keep her eyes cast down. Some masters do not permit their slaves to look directly into their eyes, but that is unusual. Indeed, some masters use the refusal to let the slave look into their eyes directly as a discipline or punishment. In this way the slave often becomes decidedly uneasy, for it is harder then for her to read the will and mood of the master. Many masters prefer to look directly into the slave's eyes. They well understand then who is their master. Too, it makes the girl in turn easier to read. The collar had a large ring on it, now to the front, to which a leash may be attached. For common leading the ring is in front, but if the slave is to precede the master, the collar is turned, and the ring is then at the back.

"Do not become too friendly,” said Peisistratus, pointing upward.

Cabot looked up and saw Grendel peering over the ledge.

"He likes her,” said Peisistratus, “and he could tear your throat out with one blow of his paw."

"I do not want her,” said Cabot.

"You know, of course,” said Peisistratus, “why she is being taught Gorean."

Cabot did not respond.

"That she be more pleasing to you,” he said. “Agamemnon is planning on giving her to you."

"What of Arcesilaus?” asked Cabot.

"She is only a beast, and he is of the rings,” said Peisistratus. “Beware of Grendel."

"I do not want her,” said Cabot.

Grendel, above, uttered a vocalization, in Kur, and the blonde suddenly turned white, and, turning, scratched her way quickly up the slope, to his side.

"He called her,” said Peisistratus.

"I see,” said Cabot.

"Beware of Grendel,” said Peisistratus. “Here,” he said, then, “is a portal which will return us to the passageways."