on swift and powerful rykors. As
rapidly as might be the three ascended the stairways leading to the
ground level, but after them, even more rapidly, came the minions of
Luud. Ghek led the way, grasping one of Tara's hands the more easily to
guide and assist her, while Gahan of Gathol followed a few paces in
their rear, his bared sword ready for the assault that all realized
must come upon them now before ever they reached the enclosure and the
flier.

"Let Ghek drop behind to your side," said Tara, "and fight with you."

"There is but room for a single blade in these narrow corridors,"
replied the Gatholian. "Hasten on with Ghek and win to the deck of the
flier. Have your hand upon the control, and if I come far enough ahead
of these to reach the dangling cable you can rise at my word and I can
clamber to the deck at my leisure; but if one of them emerges first
into the enclosure you will know that I shall never come, and you will
rise quickly and trust to the Gods of our ancestors to give you a fair
breeze in the direction of a more hospitable people."

Tara of Helium shook her head. "We will not desert you, panthan," she
said.

Gahan, ignoring her reply, spoke above her head to Ghek. "Take her to
the craft moored within the enclosure," he commanded. "It is our only
hope. Alone, I may win to its deck; but have I to wait upon you two at
the last moment the chances are that none of us will escape. Do as I
bid." His tone was haughty and arrogant--the tone of a man who has
commanded other men from birth, and whose will has been law. Tara of
Helium was both angered and vexed. She was not accustomed to being
either commanded or ignored, but with all her royal pride she was no
fool, and she knew the man was right, that he was risking his life to
save hers, so she hastened on with Ghek as she was bid, and after the
first flush of anger she smiled, for the realization came to her that
this fellow was but a rough untutored warrior, skilled not in the finer
usages of cultured courts. His heart was right, though; a brave and
loyal heart, and gladly she forgave him the offense of his tone and
manner. But what a tone! Recollection of it gave her sudden pause.
Panthans were rough and ready men. Often they rose to positions of high
command, so it was not the note of authority in the fellow's voice that
seemed remarkable; but something else--a quality that was indefinable,
yet as distinct as it was familiar. She had heard it befor