is hold.

* * * * *

Otar, anger and bewilderment plain in his expression, massaged his
aching neck. "I tell you," he whispered, "those are not enemies. They
are warriors of the palace of the noble Garud of Ammad. One of those
sentries is Dretox, an acquaintance of mine who went with Jotan,
Garud's son, to Sephar several moons ago. It is plain that they are
returning to Ammad and we should go out and welcome them instead of
skulking here in the bushes."

"And I say these men are enemies!" hissed Ekbar heatedly. "Listen and
judge for yourself."

"The morning of the day we left Ammad an attempt was made on the life of
Jaltor, our king. The news swept the city; I know that some of you, at
least, must have heard it. Vokal, our master, as one of Ammad's
noblemen, learned Garlud was behind the attempted assassination. On the
direct and secret orders of Jaltor himself, Vokal has sent us to
intercept and kill Jotan, who once he learns Garlud is dead after
plotting to have the king slain, may attempt to even the score by
leading a revolt that could plunge all Ammad into civil war."

"That is why we are here and that is why these men are enemies. And on
the morrow we shall attack them and put them all to instant death!"

It was reason enough and they were satisfied. Such intrigues were common
in Ammad; several of the six had served more than one nobleman during
their lifetimes.

"One thing bothers me," Ekbar was whispering. "It was believed Jotan
took fifty men with him to Sephar, also two friends who are sons of
noblemen. These last two must be overcome and spirited away without
learning our identity. When Jotan and the rest are dead, we will release
the pair of them and let them find their way to Ammad. I want a
suggestion on how that can be done."

No one spoke for a while. The sentries continued to move among the fires
a few feet away, and the sounds of a nocturnal jungle rose and fell
about them.

It was Ekbar himself who hit on a plan, as befitted one of a captain's
rank.

"We shall need one of those sleeping men," he said. "I will take two of
you and circle the camp to the opposite side. After we have time enough
to reach that point, the rest of you will make a noise of some kind to
attract the guards' attention. Be careful not to make them too
suspicious lest they rouse the camp. While they are looking in your
direction, we will creep up and grab the first man we come to."

Th