ed to lay hands on Sephar's king."

Tharn laughed in his face. "Better the fangs of Sadu," he gibed, "than
the stench of a priest!"

* * * * *

Stung by the taunt, Pryak went white. Unexpectedly, he lashed out with a
bony fist, catching the young cave-man flush on the mouth. Tharn's
expression did not change under the blow, but something crept into his
eyes that made Pryak shrink back in alarm. Then, remembering the captive
was bound and helpless, he drew back his arm to strike again.

This time, however, a tall figure stood between him and Tharn--Lodorth,
under-officer in Sephar's forces.

"You wish the prisoner taken to the pits, O Voice of the God?" The
contempt in Lodorth's tone was poorly concealed.

For a moment Pryak considered ordering the man aside. He hesitated, then
nodded assent and turned away.

"And the princess?" Lodorth called after him.

"Leave her here."

"This way," said the soldier to young Tharn, and together they moved
toward the exit.

It was clear to Tharn that this warrior was no admirer of the
treacherous high priest--a conclusion strengthened by the incident in
which Lodorth had saved him from a second blow. He wondered if others in
Sephar felt so toward their new ruler.

Presently they reached the entrance to the subterranean cell. Releasing
the monstrous bar, Lodorth cut Tharn's bonds and motioned for him to
enter.

Once within, Tharn's first thought was that he had been brought to
another cell. Instead of the score or so of prisoners he had expected,
there were fully a hundred men gathered here. Then he began to pick out
familiar faces; and an instant later his doubts were dispelled as Katon
came forward to welcome him, his blue eyes sparkling with pleasure.

"Tharn!" he exclaimed joyfully. "I knew you would return. Did you find
Alurna?"

"I found her," Tharn admitted ruefully. "But it would have been wiser to
leave her at Sephar's gates."

Katon's smile faded. "You are right, my friend. Everything seems to work
against us. You and I both have been hurt by this change. Had not Pryak
gone completely mad, you and your mate would be starting for home by
now, and Urim would have set me free.

"But all that may as well be forgotten, now. Soon the Games begin; our
chief worry will be to save our skins."

* * * * *

Tharn looked about at the many strange faces.

"It appears we shall have plenty of company," he o