She cried out. One of her neighbors, a Zanusian woman name P’ani, with broad shoulders and long crimson hair, shouted for the guards to come. Everyone knew P’ani desired one of the Ender males, a youth named Gideon. He sometimes snuck into the slave cabin and they bundled under the sheets. Now, she set up a warning howl calling the guard into the cabin. Tamara’s absence was immediately reported and Renate hauled out to face accusations by P’ani that she had aided Tamara and then covered up her escape by remaining silent. A huge hairy Ender grabbed Renate’s arm and dragged her into the center of the compound. Elder Jonas stood tall and sneering as she was forced to her knees. “Tear the harlot’s clothing away. She shall be whipped. Twenty lashes for this woman who would betray her saviors.” Shaking with terror, Renate bowed her head as rough hands tore away her clothing. She fell when they pushed her toward the whipping post and rolled onto her back.
