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Updated: May 13, 2025
Here they gathered, men, women and children, all of fifteen hundred, in close-packed, silent masses, leaving only the inner circle under the stone posts and iron rods clear for Allan and for Vreenya and some half-dozen elders. The rocky plaza-floor sloping upward somewhat from the dungeon, formed a very shallow natural amphitheater, so that the majority could see as well as hear.
He would desire you to come to him." "He is at peace? He found the upper world good?" "He found it good, Vreenya. And he is at peace." "It is well. Now the commands of Tai Kromno shall be done. His house is ready!" While Stern clambered out of the machine and stretched his half-paralyzed limbs, the news ran, a murmur of many voices, through the massed Folk.
His opponent only leered and grimaced offensively. Then without even having vouchsafed an answer, he swung toward the elders. "I challenge!" he exclaimed. "I have the right of words!" Vreenya nodded, fingering his long white beard. "Speak on!" he answered. "Such is our ancient custom."
Only little by little you shall see it, and you and your children will change, till at last you shall be as I am and as your people were in the old days!" Vreenya pondered, while tense interest held the elders and the Folk. Then he nodded, for his understanding like that of all was keen in spite of his savagery. "And we can eat, O Kromno? This flesh off beasts you speak of may be good.
This strange fruit may be good. I know not. It may also be as the poison weeds of our sea to us. But, if so, there are fish in those waters of the upper world?" "There are fish, Vreenya, and of the best, and many! Near the caves runs a river " "A what, master?" "A going of the waters. In those waters live fish without number. At the dark times you can catch them with nets, even as here.
Allan noted the defiant poise of the body, the vast breadth of the shoulders, the heavy hang of the arms, biceped like a gorilla's. For a minute the two men looked each other steadfastly in the eye, each measuring the other. Then suddenly the voice of Vreenya broke the tension. "O Kromno, we have spoken. Will you hear us?"
"It is in readiness the house of the Kromno. Your word is our law. It shall be as you have spoken." "That is good. Now it is my will that this air-boat on which I ride should be carried close up to the walls and carefully covered with mantles, especially this part," and he gestured at the engines. "After that I rest." "So it shall be," Vreenya made answer, while the Folk listened.
All dressed as he was, he flung himself upon the rude bed of seaweed covered with the coarse brown stuff woven by the Folk. "Sleep, master," Vreenya said. "I will sit here and watch. But before you sleep loosen the terrible fire-bow that shoots the bolts of lead and lay it near at hand." "You mean there may be trouble here?" "Sleep!" was all the councillor would answer.
One question settled, mighty quick; and H'yemba won't have much to say for a few weeks at least. Not till his jawbone knits again, anyhow!" Upon his arm he felt a hand. Turning, he saw Vreenya, the aged counselor. "Surely, O master, he shall not live, now you have conquered him? The boiling pit awaits. It is our custom if you will!" Allan only shook his head.
First, Vreenya sprinkled the open space between the poles and the dungeon with a kind of sea-weed swab dipped in the waters of the boiling vat, then with a bit of the coarse brown cloth washed Allan's lips a pledge of truth.
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