The Slave of Duty

The Gankas helped Yonfra develop her sense of duty. Most people considered them animals, but she knew they were intelligent. Her duty was to marry the man her guardian chose. She was prepared to do her duty, but she first had to survive attacks of hestegs. She did not realize the ambitions of her guardian would be more threatening than the deadly hestegs. "I felt the trembling of the ground and saw the hesteg before the men did. The sight of the approaching animal was terrifying. To my surprise the huge beast passed right by me. It was after the horses. Its gigantic antlers scraped the rump of one horse. Fortunately for the horse, the hesteg did not swing its killer tail. The horse bolted, nearly unseating the man. The riders slammed their heels against their horses' sides and took off at a reckless gallop. To my relief, the hesteg ignored me and lumbered after them." From "The Slave of Duty."