The Jhama may lie within a dozensofads of us and
even so we could not see her.
Then I turned myattention to my own antagonist.
Their Jeddak had long since deserted them.
Perhaps it is best, she said; her father is a noble
andvery rich. Oh, Hadron of Hastor, please do not leave me here withoutyou, she
said.
It is strange how men change and for what seemingly
trivial reasons. They kept me covered as I came aboard, leaving Tavia to maneuver
theJhama. Then I raised a hatch andleaped into the room. They have forced the gates
and they are coming,Do you not hear them?
He recognized me immediately, butthere was no time
even for greetings. I asked no questions of myself nor of fate at that
instant.
It takes nice gunnery to synchronize thetiming with
the target.
On and on with relentless persistency the throng
swarmed upward towardus.
Her breast was bared to receive my dagger, her face
was upturned towardmine.
It might be done and only Tan Hadron of Hastor
could doit. Before entering the Jhama I turned again to the old odwar.
To mysurprise my knuckles struck something hard
above me.
We must overtake him and carry him backto the
Warlord.
The Jhama is outside that window, I said. I knew,
he said, thatthe son of Had Urtur would give a good account of himself. With a cry
of surprise he leaped forward and threw hisarms about me.
We were saved, but how in the name of all our
ancestors had the Jhamachanced to be at this spot. It takes nice gunnery to
synchronize thetiming with the target.
There is yet time toreturn you to the
flagship.
They kept me covered as I came aboard, leaving
Tavia to maneuver theJhama. As far as Icould see they were coming from the north,
from the south and from thewest.
We drew our swords; it was our last
stand.
I am glad that hehas found his freedom and the
favor of the Warlord. You know better than that, Hadron, she said. Lucky,
indeed,should I be if I were able to save these two. I think that Sanoma Tora will
be glad to come away with you thistime, she said. We drew our swords; it was our
last stand.
With a cry of surprise he leaped forward and threw
hisarms about me. And then we saw ships approaching from the east and I knew that it
wasthe fleet of Helium.
I know how I may gain entrance to the palace. She
lay very close to me, asthough she felt safer thus and was soon asleep, while I
watched. I think I shall be glad to rest, she replied. We were racing toward the
blue cruiser ofJahar.
It was then that the spirit of Jahar was broken.