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nodded. He remembered that pock-marked face, as well as the unconcerned grin exposing yellowed, broken teeth. The cave-man came directly to the point. "We are supposed to die in the arena for the amusement of Pryak and the people of Sephar. To me, that seems wrong. It would be better if Pryak and his priests were the ones to die. "I think that can be arranged. Listen, and when I am done, let me know what you think of my plan." * * * * * They listened closely and without interrupting. And while he awaited their reaction, they looked at one another in silence, while broad smiles began to steal across their faces. Even Rotark's lips twitched in approval. "Good!" said Brutan the laconic. "Even though we fail," said Rotark mournfully, "it is worth trying." Gorlat said nothing, but his smile matched the brilliance of his hair. Katon and Vulcar regarded the cave-man with respect, deeply impressed with the plan he had offered. They realized the force of this barbarian's personality--that intangible requisite of all who would be leaders--had grasped the imagination of these men, winning their loyalty and unstinted support. "When shall we tell the others?" Brosan asked. "Go among them now," Tharn advised. "Explain our plan briefly, but cover every point. Warn them not to chance arousing suspicion among the guards. Everything depends upon absolute secrecy." It was on the following day that the great Games began. * * * * * When the door closed behind Tharn and Lodorth, a feeling of loneliness swept over the princess Alurna. She had come to regard the cave-man as her friend--perhaps the only friend left to her in all Sephar. She glanced fearfully at the face of the high-priest and found nothing there to reassure her. Pryak's expression was stern; but that sternness was a mask to hide an inner perturbation. For there had come to him the realization that in this frail girl lay a vital threat to his newly won power. He silently cursed his stupidity in receiving her so ungraciously, and silently he thanked his God that he had been prevented from actually striking the princess. Alurna, he remembered, was more than Urim's daughter; she was niece to the most powerful figure of the known world--Jaltor, king of far-off Ammad, and commander of the greatest force of fighting-men ever assembled. Urim had been Jaltor's brother.... Eventually, Jal
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