lly. He beckoned to
Dylara. "Come; I have no time to waste."

* * * * *

The cave-girl approached uneasily, affected more by Nada's concern than
the prospect of being brought before Urim.

The guard stepped aside to let her pass, then turned to leave.

"Wait!" Nada cried. "I am going with you."

The man scowled. "I was not told to bring you," he snapped. "You stay
here." He went out, slamming the door.

Dylara, a man at either side, was led down the long corridor and through
the double doorway. There they paused while the two men held a brief
conversation in whispers too low for the girl to make out their words.

And then the second man approached and took hold of her arm. "You are to
come with me," he said. "I am to take you to Urim."

Dylara's skin crawled under the contact. She jerked away. "I do not need
to be held."

The dim light hid the man's angry face. "Slaves do as they are told," he
reminded her coldly. "Do not forget that."

Grasping her arm roughly, he strode along the hall, the girl beside him.
Shortly afterward they descended the great staircase to the main floor
of the palace.

They met no one on the way, the intense heat having sent the palace
inhabitants to their beds to rest until early evening.

To Dylara's mingled surprise and alarm, her escort moved straight to the
great doorway leading to the palace grounds. Four guards lounging
outside the entrance watched them pass, nodding briefly to the man with
her.

They turned into one of the wide streets that led to the city's outer
wall.

Dylara fought down a wave of panic. "Where are you taking me?"

The man was quick to sense her fear. He tightened his hold on her arm.

"To Urim," he replied briefly.

"Where is he?"

The Sepharian turned his head and frowned at her. For the first time
Dylara noticed the long white scar across his cheek.

"You ask too many questions," he said roughly. "Now keep them to
yourself."

A cold hand seemed to close about the girl's heart. She knew, now, that
Urim had not sent for her; that she was being led into some horrible
danger. Worst of all, there seemed no way to prevent this man from doing
as he pleased. The street was deserted; and even should someone appear,
an appeal for help would probably be useless.

Soon they reached one of the huge gateways in the wall about Sephar. The
warrior drew Dylara to a halt as two guards sauntered in their
direction.

"Well, M