Chapter ten
Down the Moder“I, for one,” declared Nodgen, spitting, “say I do not enter this place of my own free will.”
“Nor me,” said Hunch.
We were moving forward with the rabble all jostling and pushing to get through the inner door before the swarthriders roared in to shaft the laggards. It seemed important to me to say aloud that I, too, did not enter here of my own free will.
I said it.
We shuffled along, as always caring for the draught animals and beasts of burden in our care. Beyond the arched gateway stretched a wide area, shadowed with dappled trees and vines, with stone-flagged squares upon the ground, and the hint of stone-built stalls at either side. Here we halted, looking about, seeing yet another gate in the far wall.
We were simply slaves and so at intemperately bel
