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