The Black Mountains

Chup begged the Lady Charmian; then he turned and knelt down slowly, face toward the cliff. Charmian was at his right, holding the long bade point down at the ground. He said, "Now, about this little surgery I need ... I suppose a single stroke would be too much to ask for. But more than two or three should not be needed, the blade is very heavy and quite sharp." Without turning to see her face he added, "You are the most beautiful, and most desirable by far, of all the women I have ever kn...