At the edge of the acacia-grove I caught up to him. Doubtless thinking himself safe under the screen of the trees, he slowed down a little—enough that a thrown spear could reach him. I confess that I hesitated for a heartbeat before reversing the spear.
The cast was strong and clean, and the butt of the spear caught him smartly between the shoulder-blades. By the time he got back his breath and rolled over, I had the spear again and pointed the head directly at his throat. His eyes grew wide when he saw it, and he turned as still as a stone.
"Enough lies, sister's man," I said, quietly but very firmly. "Tell me why you run from the Sacred Folk."
"They're real," he panted. "I thought they might be only common folk, dressed in play-garments to fool others... Lao'ue never told us there wer
