I glanced at the gathered koloss, who wore loincloths, but generally no tops. If there was a way to distinguish the males from the females other than … ahem … peeking, I did not know it. In fact, I’d rather not have known that some of them were women. My crusty, wind-weathered cheeks did no longer often blush, for the things I’ve seen would rub your delicate minds raw. But if I’d been capable of a blush, I might have given one at that moment.

“I am sorry, then, for killing her,” I said, looking back to Elizandra, who still held me.

“She chose her own course in life,” Elizandra said. “And it was one of brutality and murder. I do not mourn her, but I will mourn you, should you be taken into their embrace, dear one. They speak of this being my will, but it is certainly not, though they will not listen to my protests.”

“Why did they lock me away to die in that cavern?” I asked.

“It was a test,” Elizandra said. “A final challenge. They would have freed you after three days, if you had not escaped—but as you managed to, you have proven worthy to join their ranks and become their new chief in full. But to do so, you must undergo the transformation! You will lose most of your self, instead becoming one of them, a creature of instinct.”

I had to escape, then. This fate would be worse than death—it would be a death of the mind. Though I have gained a great respect for the koloss savages, I had no intention of ever joining them.

“You steered me here,” I realized, looking toward Elizandra. “Ever since we found you in these Roughs, you have been guiding me toward this tribe. You knew of this pool.”

“I suspected, from your descriptions of what you sought, this was the location of the treasure,” said my fairest one. “But I did not know for certain. I had never been to the holy pool. Jak … once they transform you, they plan to do the same to me, against my will. I have resisted this all of my life. I would not let them take my mind as a youth—I will not allow it now!”

“Enough talk!” said one of the elders. “You will be transformed!”

The other koloss began to clap in unison. One of the ancients reached out a trembling, bloody hand, holding in his palm a handful of small spikes.

“No!” I exclaimed. “There is no need! For I am already one of you!”

Elizandra’s hand tightened on my arm. “What?” she whispered.

“It is the only plan I can think of,” I whispered back. Then, more loudly, I proclaimed. “I am koloss!”

“Not possible,” said one of the ancients.

“You are not blue,” said another.

“You have not the way,” said the third.