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. "-- an old beggar bought me."
" 'Bought' you?"
"I was a slave."
Leda felt as if she had stepped off into water over her head. Had he said "cannibal," "vampire," or "warlock" she could have been no more shocked. She came up, mentally gasping. "Thor -- if I have been rude. I'm sorry -- but we all are curious about the time -- goodness! it's been over fifteen years -- that you have been missing. But if you don't want to answer, just say so. You were a nice little boy and I was fond of you -- please don't slap me down if I ask the wrong question."
"You don't believe me?"
"How could I? There haven't been slaves for centuries."
Thorby wished that he had never had to leave the Hydra, and gave up. He had learned in the Guard that the slave trade was something many fraki in the inner worlds simply hadn't heard of. "You knew me when I was little?"
"Oh, yes!"
"Why can't I remember you? I can't remember anything back before I was a -- I can't remember Terra."
She smiled. "I'm three years older than you. When I saw you last, I was six -- so I remember -- and you were three, so you've forgotten."
"Oh." Thorby decided that here was a chance to find out his own age. "How old are you now?"
She smiled wryly. "Now I'm the same age you are -- and I'll stay that age until I'm married. Turn about, Thorby -- when you ask the wrong question, I shan't be offended
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