=== apom_ch9_pt4 === 

After they had retired for the night it was customary for the adults to carry on a desultory conversation for a short time before lapsing into sleep, and now that I could understand their language I was always a keen listener, although I never proffered any remarks myself. =

On the night following the prisoners visit to the audience chamber the conversation finally fell upon this subject, and I was all ears on the instant.  I had feared to question Sola relative to the beautiful captive, as I could not but recall the strange expression I had noted upon her face after my first encounter with the prisoner.  That it denoted jealousy I could not say, and yet, judging all things by mundane standards as I still did, I felt it safer to affect indifference in the matter until I learned more surely Solas attitude toward the object of my solicitude. =

Sarkoja, one of the older women who shared our domicile, had been present at the audience as one of the captives guards, and it was toward her the question turned. =

When, asked one of the women, will we enjoy the death throes of the red one? or does Lorquas Ptomel, Jed, intend holding her for ransom? =

They have decided to carry her with us back to Thark, and exhibit her last agonies at the great games before Tal Hajus, replied Sarkoja. = 

=== end of pt4 ===