aj attend other than the decennial games. Tell me of
O-Zar! Will he attend next year? Ah, but he was a noble fighter. If you
be half the swordsman, U-Kal, the fame of Manataj will increase this
day. But tell me, what of O-Zar?"

"He is well," replied Turan, glibly, "and he sent greetings to his
friends in Manator."

"Good!" exclaimed the keeper, "and now in what game would you enter?"

"I would play for the Heliumetic princess, Tara," replied Turan.

"But man, she is to be the stake of a game for slaves and criminals,"
cried the keeper. "You would not volunteer for such a game!"

"But I would," replied Turan. "I saw here when she was brought into the
city and even then I vowed to possess her."

"But you will have to share her with the survivors even if your color
wins," objected the other.

"They may be brought to reason," insisted Turan.

"And you will chance incurring the wrath of O-Tar, who has no love for
this savage barbarian," explained the keeper.

"And I win her O-Tar will be rid of her," said Turan.

The keeper of The Towers of Jetan shook his head. "You are rash," he
said. "I would that I might dissuade the friend of my friend O-Zar from
such madness."

"Would you favor the friend of O-Zar?" asked Turan.

"Gladly!" exclaimed the other. "What may I do for him?"

"Make me chief of the Black and give me for my pieces all slaves from
Gathol, for I understand that those be excellent warriors," replied the
panthan.

"It is a strange request," said the keeper, "but for my friend O-Zar I
would do even more, though of course--" he hesitated--"it is customary
for one who would be chief to make some slight payment."

"Certainly," Turan hastened to assure him; "I had not forgotten that. I
was about to ask you what the customary amount is."

"For the friend of my friend it shall be nominal," replied the keeper,
naming a figure that Gahan, accustomed to the high price of wealthy
Gathol, thought ridiculously low.

"Tell me," he said, handing the money to the keeper, "when the game for
the Heliumite is to be played."

"It is the second in order of the day's games; and now if you will come
with me you may select your pieces."

Turan followed the keeper to a large court which lay between the towers
and the jetan field, where hundreds of warriors were assembled. Already
chiefs for the games of the day were selecting their pieces and
assigning them to positions, though for the principal games these
matters