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“physiologically, and, certainly, culturally. For example, they are occasionally cannibalistic, and frequently, within their own group, kill the old and weak.”
    â€œThe bells grow louder,” said Tuvo, whispering.
    â€œYou hear the snorting of the horses, and the scratching of their claws in the hard snow, too,” said Julian.
    â€œYes,” said Tuvo.
    In my editing of the manuscripts, I frequently speak of diverse animals in terms of a familiar nomenclature, for example, I might speak of horses, pigs, dogs, and such. I do the same here. I think this is easiest, on the whole, as the animals in question occupy similar ecological niches. I suppose I could, accordingly, also, call the Heruls men, but, on the whole, it seemed to me best not to do so. In such matters one craves the reader’s patience, and indulgence.
    â€œThey are close,” said Tuvo.
    â€œI fear they are stopping,” said Julian.
    â€œThey have seen us, or the tracks?” said Tuvo.
    â€œI do not know,” said Julian.
    Nika, even in her furs, shuddered.
    Julian unslung his rifle, as did Tuvo.
    Great pains are taken by the empire to keep rifles, and other formidable weapons, out of the hands of such species as the Heruls, and such tribes and communities as the Otungs, the Wolfungs, and such.
    â€œLook,” whispered Julian, raising his head slowly, the smallest bit, above the rocks.
    â€œThey are stopped, yes,” said Tuvo.
    There was a small sound of harnessing, the tiny sound of a bell or two.
    â€œThey are removing the bells from the harness, from the sled,” said Julian.
    â€œApparently they wish to approach their destination silently,” said Tuvo.
    â€œIt seems so,” said Julian.
    â€œI thought you said they had no fear,” said Tuvo.
    â€œThere are five horses,” said Julian, “one to draw the sled, and four others. Consider the four riders and he who holds the reins of the sled horse, their helmets and furs. Heruls.”
    â€œOne rides the sled, bundled in furs, who is different,” said Tuvo.
    â€œNot a Herul,” said Julian.
    â€œThat is why they will now proceed silently,” said Tuvo.
    â€œI think so,” said Julian. “Here, in the vicinity of the forest, its edge perhaps only hours away, I suspect the passenger is an Otung.”
    â€œOne who chooses to return silently to his community,” said Tuvo. “But why should an Otung, if he be such, be in the company of Heruls?”
    â€œI do not know,” said Julian.
    â€œI cannot see him clearly,” said Tuvo. “It is too dark.”
    â€œThat is most unfortunate,” said Julian.
    Shortly thereafter the sled, silently now, sped on.
    â€œWe must resume our journey,” said Julian.
    â€œNika is still,” said Tuvo, looking down.
    Julian bent down. “She is asleep,” he said. “Let us unharness her, and put her on the sled. We two can draw it more swiftly.”
    â€œHow can she fall asleep, with danger about?” asked Tuvo Ausonius.
    â€œShe is exhausted,” said Julian. “Do not awaken her. She will do us little good in the traces. She has labored long and had little sleep.”
    Tuvo Ausonius regarded the slave.
    â€œMany men,” said Julian, “have fallen asleep even under fire.”
    â€œIt seems a shame to have brought her here,” said Tuvo.
    â€œYou have never seen the Lady Publennia Calasalia,” said Julian. “If we should be separated, either by accident or design, she can identify the impostor we seek.”
    â€œThere is the drawing,” said Tuvo.
    â€œIt is only a drawing,” said Julian.
    â€œTrue,” said Tuvo Ausonius.
    â€œAnd,” smiled Julian, grimly, “is it not appropriate to reunite a slave with her Mistress?”
    â€œI do not think she would be pleased to see her, here, on Tangara,” said Tuvo.
    â€œPerhaps not,” said Julian. “Help with the