When she opened her eyes again, the sultry red light was accompanied by the soothing touch of metal at her wrists. She struggled once again as the surprising weight pressed her back to the earth and she saw with dismay that the balm around her arms meant that she was now fettered to the leader of these people. He was, at least, standing further away, the links giving them about a seven-metre gap, and the energy he exuded was weaker, although she could still feel him, even at this distance.
She fought off the light-headedness and managed to get to her feet, at which point there was a persuading tug on the leash and she started walking behind the barbarian with the crushing voice. To the right, the troops began their hollering yet again, but this time it was the raucous bellow of celebration and she could see that an enormous feast had been joined. She’d never seen so much food in her life and, as tired as she was, the first smells that reached her were so good that warm saliva coated the inside of her cheeks. She did not slow her pace though, not for anything would she risk angering a man that could strike a blow with his words alone. So she walked, trying to stay alert in the mugginess of the day, but creeping towards a trudging haze nonetheless.
