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Updated: May 5, 2025
Insensibly, the pace of the horses slackened still more. They had done well. But a horse that can cover fifty miles a day at its own gait, can be exhausted in ten or less, if pushed. By the time Hoddan and his men were within two miles of Ghek's castle, their mounts were extremely reluctant to move faster than a walk. At a mile, they were kept in motion only by kicks.
"Then if you bring fresh horses for my men, and one extra for each to carry his plunder on, I'll take them away. I'll even throw in the Lord Ghek, who is now unharmed but with his life in the balance. Otherwise " He moved the pistol suggestively. The normal inhabitants of Ghek's castle moved away, discussing the situation in subdued voices. The Lady Fani sat down proudly on the bench beside him.
I'm afraid he'll be displeased with me." "I can take care of that!" said Fani confidently. She did not question that her father would be displeased. "Maybe you can," said Hoddan, "but though he's kept a daughter he's lost a dream. And that's bereavement! I know!" Horses came plodding into the courtyard with Ghek's retainers driving them. They were anxious to get rid of their conquerors.
Twice they met and were accosted by other kaldanes; but in both instances Ghek's simple statement that he was taking a new prisoner to Luud appeared to allay all suspicion, and then at last they came to the ante-chamber of the king. "Here, now, red man, thou must fight, if ever," whispered Ghek. "Enter there!" and he pointed to a doorway before them.
You could have used any other weapon, but of all things why did you have to use a stun-pistol?" "Because I had one," said Hoddan briefly. "Horrible!" said Don Loris peevishly. "The worst thing you could possibly have done! I have to disown you. Unmistakably! You'll have to disappear at once. We'll blame it on Ghek's retainers." Hoddan said: "Disappear? Me?" "Vanish," said Don Loris.
They went away and other men arrived loaded down with their own accumulations of loot. Some of the local inhabitants looked on with uneasy indignation. Hoddan found a bench and sat down. He conspicuously displayed one of the weapons which had captured the castle. Ghek's defeated retainers looked at him darkly. "Bring me something to eat," commanded Hoddan.
He would not let any man dismount. He shifted himself about on his own saddle, trying to find a comfortable way to sit. He failed. At the end of five minutes he gave orders. There were still shouts occasionally from within Ghek's castle. They had that unrhythmic frequency which suggested that they were responses to a speech.
Quick! do as I say; I would as lief as not slay O-Tar. I but let him live that I may gain freedom for my friends obstruct me and he dies." The guards fell back, releasing Tara and Turan, who came close to Ghek's side. "Do as I tell you and do it quickly," whispered the kaldane. "I cannot hold this fellow long, nor could I kill him thus.
The girl's song ended in a stifled scream as she leaped forward with the evident intention of frustrating the kaldane's purpose; but she was too late, and well it was, for an instant later she realized the purpose of Ghek's act as she saw the dagger fly from his hand, pass Gahan's shoulder, and sink full to the guard in the soft face of Luud.
Nor was Ghek's prophecy long in fulfilment. Presently the sounds of pursuit became audible in the distant clanking of accouterments and the whistling call to arms of the kaldanes. "The tower is but a short distance now," cried Ghek. "Make haste while yet you may, and if we can barricade it until the sun rises we may yet escape."
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