Rebels of Gor

Rebels of Gor Read Online Free PDF

Book: Rebels of Gor Read Online Free PDF
Author: John Norman
she had annoyed, irritated, or merely amused certain powerful men, Gorean slavers or those associated with them. Perhaps some thought she might look less well in a brief, black cocktail dress with pearls, with a drink in hand, than in a rep-cloth slave tunic and collar, bearing drink to a master. What might she look like, being vended naked on a Gorean slave block? However it had come about, she had been, unbeknownst to herself, even whilst on Earth, selected for Gorean slavery. In a sense she was then a slave, though she was herself unaware of her new status and condition. It had been decided for her, by masters. Indeed, it seemed that she, blond-haired and blue-eyed, features rare in the Pani islands, might have been used to fill a special order. In any event, she, originally owned by Lord Nishida, had been given as a gift to the shogun, Lord Temmu. Female slaves, while commonly less expensive than kaiila, and many times less expensive than tarns, are surely amongst the most lovely of gifts. She was now “Saru,” named for a small, scampering, largely arboreal bipedalian creature found in the jungles of the Ua basin. I had seen little of her, or of other slaves, of late. I supposed they were kept largely indoors, where they would be in little danger, should a storming take place, or an occasional stone or looping arrow fall into the courtyard space between the walls, and the buildings and the castle itself. When we had arrived at the holding, at the wharves below, we had had some two hundred slaves aboard. Before the defeat of the exploratory force, and the investment of the holding, this number had been reduced, by selling and distribution, to some one hundred and fifty slaves. Several had been given to independent, uncommitted daimyos, in the hope of generating good will, if not a good will of alliance then one of neutrality.
    “I trust your journey will be a safe one,” said Lord Okimoto.
    “I trust so,” I said.
    “I do not expect to see you again,” he said.
    “In war there are many unknowns,” I said.
    “In deceit, betrayal, intrigue, and treachery, as well,” said Lord Okimoto.
    “It is so,” I said, bowing.
    Lord Okimoto returned this gesture of respect.
    “The commander clearly understands, I trust,” said Lord Okimoto, “the cavalry is not to be committed, or engaged, without direct orders from Lord Temmu.”
    “Of what use is a lance left forever in its rack,” I said, “or a sword which fears to leave its sheath?”
    “The lance is to remain in its rack until grasped,” said Lord Okimoto, “and the sword is to be drawn only by the proper hand.”
    “Of course,” I said.
    But who is to grasp the lance, I wondered, and whose would be a proper hand. Obedience is a common path to victory; but it may lead as well to defeat.
    “In flight, even in darkness,” said Lord Okimoto, “be careful of the course you set.”
    “There may be someone in the holding,” said Lord Nishida, “who would mark such things.”
    “I understand,” I said.
    Did they really think, I wondered, that I, or others, tarnsmen, would set a flight line directly to a camp allegedly secret, a line which, well marked, might be followed by seekers, or hunters, on foot? I had ordered my men, in leaving the castle, to choose randomly amongst pieces of silk, each inscribed with subdivisions of four of the eight major divisions of the Gorean compass, and follow that line until it was safe to approach the camp. One of these lines, of course, was the actual line to the camp. It would not do, of course, to systematically avoid the correct line, for what practice might more explicitly call attention to that line? I had every reason to suspect that the intelligence of the enemy was considerable, and acute. As indicated earlier, I had not located the camp at the designated position on Lord Temmu’s map, as ordered, but at a different location, known only to myself and the members of my command. Also, as noted, those set to guard
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