had been arranged for weeks before. The keeper led Turan to a
part of the courtyard where the majority of the slaves were assembled.

"Take your choice of those not assigned," said the keeper, "and when
you have your quota conduct them to the field. Your place will be
assigned you by an officer there, and there you will remain with your
pieces until the second game is called. I wish you luck, U-Kal, though
from what I have heard you will be more lucky to lose than to win the
slave from Helium."

After the fellow had departed Turan approached the slaves. "I seek the
best swordsmen for the second game," he announced. "Men from Gathol I
wish, for I have heard that these be noble fighters."

A slave rose and approached him. "It is all the same in which game we
die," he said. "I would fight for you as a panthan in the second game."

Another came. "I am not from Gathol," he said. "I am from Helium, and I
would fight for the honor of a princess of Helium."

"Good!" exclaimed Turan. "Art a swordsman of repute in Helium?"

"I was a dwar under the great Warlord, and I have fought at his side in
a score of battles from The Golden Cliffs to The Carrion Caves. My name
is Val Dor. Who knows Helium, knows my prowess."

The name was well known to Gahan, who had heard the man spoken of on
his last visit to Helium, and his mysterious disappearance discussed as
well as his renown as a fighter.

"How could I know aught of Helium?" asked Turan; "but if you be such a
fighter as you say no position could suit you better than that of
Flier. What say you?"

The man's eyes denoted sudden surprise. He looked keenly at Turan, his
eyes running quickly over the other's harness. Then he stepped quite
close so that his words might not be overheard.

"Methinks you may know more of Helium than of Manator," he whispered.

"What mean you, fellow?" demanded Turan, seeking to cudgel his brains
for the source of this man's knowledge, guess, or inspiration.

"I mean," replied Val Dor, "that you are not of Manator and that if you
wish to hide the fact it is well that you speak not to a Manatorian as
you did just speak to me of--Fliers! There be no Fliers in Manator and
no piece in their game of Jetan bearing that name. Instead they call
him who stands next to the Chief or Princess, Odwar. The piece has the
same moves and power that the Flier has in the game as played outside
Manator. Remember this then and remember, too, that if you have a
secret