ways that were all that stood
between the people of Mars and extinction. He remembered the yearly
release from death when the spring thaw brought the water rushing down
from the north.

He thought of these cold creatures going forth, building again their
great towers of stone, sheathing half a world in ice that would never
melt. He thought of the people of Jekkara and Valkis and Barrakesh, of
the countless cities of the south, watching for the flood that did not
come, and falling at last to mingle their bodies with the blowing dust.

He said again, "No. Never."

The distant thought-voice of the seven spoke, and this time the question
was addressed to Ciara.

Stark saw her face. She did not know the Mars he knew, but she had
memories of her own--the mountain-valleys of Mekh, the moors, the snowy
gorges. She looked at the shining ones in their high seats, and said,

"If I take that sword, it will be to use it against you as Ban Cruach
did!"

Stark knew that the seven had understood the thought behind her words.
He felt that they were amused.

"The secret of that sword was lost a million years ago, the day Ban
Cruach died. Neither you nor anyone now knows how to use it as he did.
But the sword's radiations of warmth still lock us here.

"We cannot approach that sword, for its vibrations of heat slay us if we
do. But you warm-bodied ones can approach it. And you will do so, and
take it from its place. _One of you will take it!_"

They were very sure of that.

"We can see, a little way, into your evil minds. Much we do not
understand. But--the mind of the large man is full of the woman's image,
and the mind of the woman turns to him. Also, there is a link between
the large man and the small man, less strong, but strong enough."

The thought-voice of the seven finished, "The large man will take away
the sword for us because he must--to save the other two."

Ciara turned to Stark. "They cannot force you, Stark. Don't let them. No
matter what they do to me, don't let them!"

Balin stared at her with a certain wonder. "You would die, to protect
Kushat?"

"Not Kushat alone, though its people too are human," she said, almost
angrily. "There are my red wolves--a wild pack, but my own. And others."
She looked at Balin. "What do _you_ say? Your life against the
Norlands?"

Balin made an effort to lift his head as high as hers, and the red jewel
flashed in his ear. He was a man crushed by the falling of his world,