"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 observed.
"There are many others besides these," was the reply. "Pryak fears many of Urim"s friends and intends using the Games to eliminate them. A room across the hall is filled with at least as many as you see here; and many of those men loved Urim and hate the one who caused his death.
"Pryak hopes to accomplish a double purpose this time. He will gain favor by offering the bloodiest Games ever held; also, he expects to wipe out all who oppose him by sending the opposition itself into the arena.
"I am told," Katon continued, "that many savage beasts are held ready to be sent against us. More than ever, Pryak is determined the final victor shall not be human. Were a man to prove the G.o.d"s favorite, Sephar"s populace might turn to him so strongly as to weaken Pryak"s position."
Tharn grinned. "At least we shall have our fill of fighting."
"More than my fill!" retorted his friend, dryly.
Tharn, glancing about the crowded room, uttered a startled e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n and pointed toward a figure huddled near one of the walls.
"Who is that?" he asked. "Even with his face hidden in his hands, he seems known to me."
Katon grunted. "And well he should! That, my friend, is Vulcar--once captain of Urim"s own guards!"
At Tharn"s expression of shocked incredulity, he continued:
"He was brought here, yesterday, with nearly a score of warriors. In all the hours since, he has not spoken--only sits with bowed head. He, once so proud, is now humbled and beaten--crushed by the death of the man he worshipped."
Tharn studied the dejected figure. Courage might dull under such a blow as Vulcar had taken; yet it would still be courage. Experience told him a brave man is brave until death takes him; a coward, while occasionally rising above his weakness, remains a coward. And certainly Vulcar was known to be a man of courage.
From the moment of Tharn"s recapture a plan had been taking form in his shrewd mind. He had never been one to accept resignedly what fate appeared to offer. If these other prisoners were ready to die in the arena, that was their affair; certainly he did not intend giving up so easily. Men like themselves had put them in this hole; and what one man could do, another could undo. The worst enemy of his fellows was their patient acceptance of what Pryak had decreed for them. If that viewpoint could only be reversed....
Taking Katon by the arm, he started across the room toward Vulcar.
"What are you--" Katon began, then subsided as the cave-man frowned and shook his head in warning.
When within a few paces of the former captain, Tharn stopped and turned his back, and Katon"s, to the unheeding Vulcar.
"I tell you, it seems hard to believe," Tharn began, his voice raised somewhat above its usual pitch, "that none of Urim"s friends has courage enough to avenge his death. Why, had I served under him, I--"
"Who says none hopes to avenge Urim?" The quiet words came from behind them.
Turning, they found Vulcar, head lifted and shoulders squared, regarding them fixedly.
The Cro-Magnard simulated surprise to hide his sudden elation. "If I am wrong--" He stopped there, waiting.
"What chance have we to avenge him?" Vulcar demanded, his hawk-like face drawn into lines of helpless fury. "Here we are--thrown into a hole, sentenced to die for the satisfaction of a false G.o.d--and to save Pryak from sleepless nights!"
Tharn appeared sympathetic. "Given a chance, however slight, would you take it?"
"Take it?" echoed Vulcar. "Of course! But there is no--"
"Are there others who feel as you?"
"I know of eighteen--those who went with me to search for Urim"s daughter. When we returned to Sephar, Pryak"s men overpowered us and brought us here. I am almost glad, now, that we did not find Alurna."
"Alurna is in Sephar," Tharn informed him. "I brought her back."
"You?" Vulcar came to his feet in surprise. "How did you get her?"
Briefly, the cave-man told of what had taken place. When he was done, Vulcar stepped forward and placed both hands on Tharn"s shoulders.
"My life is yours for what you have done," he said simply. "No matter what happens to her as Pryak"s captive, it cannot be so horrible as death in the jungle."
For a moment the three men were silent. Then Tharn said: "Let us sit here where we shall not be overheard.... Katon, what can you tell me of the Games?"
"What do you want to know about them?"
"Everything," Tharn said promptly. "How far are the pits from the arena itself? How many of us are sent into the arena at one time? How, and when, are we given weapons?"
Katon was eyeing him strangely. "Why do you want to know those things?"
"I will explain that after you have answered my questions."
The conversation that followed was carried on in low voices. Katon did most of the talking; from time to time Vulcar added details. Tharn did little more than listen attentively.
At last the cave-man expressed satisfaction. "I think it can be done,"
he said slowly. "There is one weakness they have not covered."
"_What_ can be done?" Plainly, Katon was puzzled. "What is behind all this, Tharn?"
Tharn leaned forward. "We want two things--and so does every man in this room and the room across the hall. First: freedom. Second: death to Pryak! Are you with me?"
Vulcar made a face. "Either one is beyond our reach. What can a few unarmed men do against all Sephar?"
"What have we to lose?" demanded the Cro-Magnard. "All of us are supposed to die within the arena. If we must accept death, why not do so while trying to escape?"
Katon and Vulcar exchanged glances. It was evident neither had thought of it just that way before.
"What," Vulcar said softly, "do you suggest?"