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"He but just passed in," replied the padwar, "saying that he was O-Tar's messenger." "He lied," cried the newcomer. "He was Turan, the slave, who stole the woman from the throne room two days since. Arouse the palace! He must be seized, and alive if possible. It is O-Tar's command." Instantly warriors were dispatched to search for the Gatholian and warn the inmates of the palace to do likewise.
"It is O-Tar's wish," explained U-Dor to this one, "that she be kept until the next games, when the prisoners and the common warriors shall play for her. Had she not the tongue of a thoat she had been a worthy stake for our noblest steel," and U-Dor sighed. "Perhaps even yet I may win a pardon for her. It were too bad to see such beauty fall to the lot of some common fellow.
"Slay him not and pray that he be not dead if you would save your princess." "How is that?" asked Gahan. "If word of O-Tar's death reached the quarters of the women the Princess Tara would be lost. They know O-Tar's intention of taking her to wife and making her Jeddara of Manator, so you may rest assured that they all hate her with the hate of jealous women.
It was upon the fourth day following Tara's incarceration in the tower that E-Thas, the major-domo of the palace and one of O-Tar's creatures, came to his master upon some trivial errand. O-Tar was alone in one of the smaller chambers of his personal suite when the major-domo was announced, and after the matter upon which E-Thas had come was disposed of the jeddak signed him to remain.
"The sky is already red beyond those beautiful hills of yours," he replied, "and it will soon be day." "Just one question before you go," I begged. "Well?" he assented, good-naturedly. "How was Gahan able to enter the throne room garbed in O-Tar's trappings?" I asked. "It was simple for Gahan of Gathol," replied The Warlord.
The screams and moans that frightened you and O-Tar were voiced by Turan to drive you away from his hiding place." Shamefacedly the three left the apartment to search for O-Tar's dagger. And now the others turned their attention once more to Gahan.
"Your time shall come then, I-Gos," Gahan assured the other, "and if you have any party that thinks as you do, prepare them for the eventuality that will succeed O-Tar's presumptuous attempt to wed the daughter of The Warlord. Where shall I see you again, and when? I go now to speak with Tara, Princess of Helium." "I like your boldness," said I-Gos; "but it will avail you naught.
Only O-Tar's power protects her now from harm. Should O-Tar die they would turn her over to the warriors and the male slaves, for there would be none to avenge her." Gahan sheathed his sword. "Your point is well taken; but what shall we do with him?" "Leave him where he lies," counseled I-Gos. "He is not dead.
I overheard your conversation go on." "You are his friend," continued A-Kor, "and so I may explain safely in your presence the only plan I know whereby he may hope to rescue the Princess of Helium. She is to be the stake of one of the games and it is O-Tar's desire that she be won by slaves and common warriors, since she repulsed him. Thus would he punish her.
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