Rogue of Gor by John Norman Read Free Book Online

in irritation, motioned to one of his assistants. The fellow came up behind the free woman and took her by the upper arms, holding her from behind. She was helpless.
    "Eject her," said Strobius.
    "You cannot put me out into the street!" she cried.
    "Rejoice," said Strobius, "that I do not strip you and sell you into slavery."
    "What is going on here?" I had asked, rising to my feet and going to the counter.
    "We are putting her out," said Strobius. "She owes me money. She cannot pay."
    "But she is a free woman," I said.
    "She cannot pay," he said.
    "What does she owe?" I asked.
    "A silver tank for last night," he said, "and, if she would stay here this night, another tarsk, and in advance."
    "I believe this is the proper sum," I said. I placed two silver tanks on the counter.
    "Indeed it is," said Strobius. He swept the coins from the counter into his hand, and put them in his apron.
    "There is your money, Fellow," said the free woman to Strobius, haughtily, as haughtily as she could manage, still the helpless prisoner of his assistant's grip.
    "Yes, Lady," said he, bowing deferentially to her.
    "Perhaps, now," she said, squirming in the assistant's grip, "you will have this ruffian unhand me."
    He regarded her.
    She shuddered. Her Home Stone was not that of Lara, times were troubled, and Strobius was master in his own inn. Too, she had, for a time, owed him money. Would he like to see her stripped, and collared?
    "Please, Kind Sir," she said. Gorean men are sometimes slow to release their grip on the bodies of females. They enjoy holding them. They are men.
    "Of course, Lady," said Strobius, smiling, again bowing. He then signaled the fellow to release the woman, which he did. She then drew back, angrily, and smoothed down her garments. Then, straightening herself, she came regally to where I stood.
    "My thanks, Sir," she said, looking up at me.
    "It is nothing," I said.
    "I am grateful," she said.
    "Perhaps you would care to join me at my table," I suggested. "There is little but sul porridge, but I could order you a bowl," I said.
    "One must make do in trying circumstances," she said, "with what there is."
    "Do you have any wine?" I asked Strobius.
    He smiled. "Yes," he said.
    "Would you care for some wine?" I asked her.
    Her eyes glistened over her veil. It had been some days, I gathered, since she had been able to afford or had had wine. "Yes," she said, "it would give me great pleasure to drink your wine. "
    "Please go to the table," I said, indicating the table, "and I will make the arrangements."
    "Very well," she said, and turned away, going to the table.
    "Sul porridge," said Strobius, "is ten copper tarsks. I will charge you forty copper tarsks for the wine, two cups."
    "Very well," I said.
    In a few moments he had had a fellow bring a tray with the sul porridge and two cups of wine to the counter. I paid him.
    "Oh, by the way," I asked, "do you have a packet of Tassa powder?"
    He grinned, and reached under the counter. "Yes," he said, handing it to me.
    "How much do I owe you for this?" I asked.
    "For that one," he said, "it is free. Take it with the compliments of the house."
    "Very well," I said.
     
    The girl turned uneasily on the mat. She was then again on her side. Her legs were again drawn up. She moaned. I saw the small fingers of her right hand touch the mat. Her finger tips were soft against the rough fibers. On her legs, where she had lain, there were markings from the mat.
    I saved a part of the crust of bread I was eating.
    She moved uneasily, and made a small noise. She must now sense that it was morning.
    I looked about myself. The inn was deserted. It bore the signs of having been hastily evacuated. Tarnsmen of Ar, the rumors had had it, were soon to be aflight toward Lara. The evacuation of the inn had been a portion of the evacuation of the entire city. Outside the streets were empty, and quiet. There were few persons, I conjectured, now left in Lara. There were, of course, the girl and