"Yuruk, these belong to me.

No harm must come to them.

Yuruk--beware!" "The goddess commands.

Yuruk obeys." If fear quavered in the words, beneath was more than a trace of a sullenness, too, sinister enough.
"That's a nice little playmate for her new playthings," muttered Drake.
"If that bird gets the least bit gay--I shoot him pronto." He gave Ruth a reassuring hug.

"Cheer up, Ruth.