he morgels surged
forward, but fell back when whips were cracked over their heads.

The masters of the morgels were human in appearance. Black loin cloths
were twisted about them and long, wing-shaped cloaks hung from their
shoulders. On their heads, completely masking their hair, were cloth
caps which bore ragged crests not unlike cockscombs. As far as Garin
could see they were unarmed except for their whips.

A second party was coming down the steps. Between two of the Black Ones
struggled a prisoner. He made a desperate and hopeless fight of it, but
they dragged him to the edge of the pit before they halted. The morgels,
intent upon their promised prey, crouched before them.

Five steps above were two figures to whom the guards looked for
instructions. One was a man of their race, of slender, handsome body and
evil, beautiful face. His hand lay possessively upon the arm of his
companion.

It was Thrala who stood beside him, her head proudly erect. The laughter
curves were gone from her lips; there was only sorrow and resignation to
be read there now. But her spirit burned like a white flame in her eyes.

"Look!" her warder ordered. "Does not Kepta keep his promises? Shall we
give Dandtan into the jaws of our slaves, or will you unsay certain
words of yours, Lady Thrala?"

The prisoner answered for her. "Kepta, son of vileness, Thrala is not
for you. Remember, beloved one," he spoke to the Daughter, "the day of
deliverance is at hand--"

Garin felt a sudden emptiness. The prisoner had called Thrala "beloved"
with the ease of one who had the right.

"I await Thrala's answer," Kepta returned evenly. And her answer he got.

"Beast among beasts, you may send Dandtan to his death, you may heap all
manner of insult and evil upon me, but still I say the Daughter is not
for your touch. Rather will I cut the line of life with my own hands,
taking upon me the punishment of the Elder Ones. To Dandtan," she smiled
down upon the prisoner, "I say farewell. We shall meet again beyond the
Curtain of Time." She held out her hands to him.

"Thrala, dear one--!" One of his guards slapped a hand over the
prisoner's mouth putting an end to his words.

But now Thrala was looking beyond him, straight at the grill which
sheltered Garin. Kepta pulled at her arm to gain her attention. "Watch!
Thus do my enemies die. To the pit with him!"

The guards twisted their prisoner around and the morgels crept closer,
their eyes fixed upon