"Take your choice of those not assigned," said the keeper, "and when you have your quota conduct them to the field.Your place will be assigned you by an officer there, and there you will remain with your pieces until the second game is called.I wish you luck, U-Kal, though from what I have heard you will be more lucky to lose than to win the slave from Helium."After the fellow had departed Turan approached the slaves."Iseek the best swordsmen for the second game," he announced."Men from Gathol I wish, for I have heard that these be noble fighters."A slave rose and approached him."It is all the same in which game we die," he said."I would fight for you as a panthan in the second game."Another came."I am not from Gathol," he said."I am from Helium, and I would fight for the honor of a princess of Helium.""Good!" exclaimed Turan."Art a swordsman of repute in Helium?""I was a dwar under the great Warlord, and I have fought at his side in a score of battles from The Golden Cliffs to The Carrion Caves.My name is Val Dor.Who knows Helium, knows my prowess."The name was well known to Gahan, who had heard the man spoken of on his last visit to Helium, and his mysterious disappearance discussed as well as his renown as a fighter.
"How could I know aught of Helium?" asked Turan; "but if you be such a fighter as you say no position could suit you better than that of Flier.What say you?"The man's eyes denoted sudden surprise.He looked keenly at Turan, his eyes running quickly over the other's harness.Then he stepped quite close so that his words might not be overheard.
"Methinks you may know more of Helium than of Manator," he whispered.
"What mean you, fellow?" demanded Turan, seeking to cudgel his brains for the source of this man's knowledge, guess, or inspiration.
"I mean," replied Val Dor, "that you are not of Manator and that if you wish to hide the fact it is well that you speak not to a Manatorian as you did just speak to me of--Fliers! There be no Fliers in Manator and no piece in their game of Jetan bearing that name.Instead they call him who stands next to the Chief or Princess, Odwar.The piece has the same moves and power that the Flier has in the game as played outside Manator.Remember this then and remember, too, that if you have a secret it be safe in the keeping of Val Dor of Helium."Turan made no reply but turned to the task of selecting the remainder of his pieces.Val Dor, the Heliumite, and Floran, the volunteer from Gathol, were of great assistance to him, since one or the other of them knew most of the slaves from whom his selection was to be made.The pieces all chosen, Turan led them to the place beside the playing field where they were to wait their turn, and here he passed the word around that they were to fight for more than the stake he offered for the princess should they win.This stake they accepted, so that Turan was sure of possessing Tara if his side was victorious, but he knew that these men would fight even more valorously for chivalry than for money, nor was it difficult to enlist the interest even of the Gatholians in the service of the princess.And now he held out the possibility of a still further reward.
"I cannot promise you," he explained, "but I may say I have heard that this day which makes it possible that should we win this game we may even win your freedom!"They leaped to their feet and crowded around him with many questions.
"It may not be spoken of aloud," he said; "but Floran and Val Dor know and they assure me that you may all be trusted.Listen! What I would tell you places my life in your hands, but you must know that every man will realize that he is fighting today the greatest battle of his life--for the honor and the freedom of Barsoom's most wondrous princess and for his own freedom as well--for the chance to return each to his own country and to the woman who awaits him there.
"First, then, is my secret.I am not of Manator.Like yourselves I am a slave, though for the moment disguised as a Manatorian from Manataj.My country and my identity must remain undisclosed for reasons that have no bearing upon our game today.I, then, am one of you.I fight for the same things that you will fight for.
"And now for that which I have but just learned.U-Thor, the great jed of Manatos, quarreled with O-Tar in the palace the day before yesterday and their warriors set upon one another.U-Thor was driven as far as The Gate of Enemies, where he now lies encamped.At any moment the fight may be renewed; but it is thought that U-Thor has sent to Manatos for reinforcements.Now, men of Gathol, here is the thing that interests you.U-Thor has recently taken to wife the Princess Haja of Gathol, who was slave to O-Tar and whose son, A-Kor, was dwar of The Towers of Jetan.
Haja's heart is filled with loyalty for Gathol and compassion for her sons who are here enslaved, and this latter sentiment she has to some extent transmitted to U-Thor.Aid me, therefore, in freeing the Princess Tara of Helium and I believe that I can aid you and her and myself to escape the city.Bend close your ears, slaves of O-Tar, that no cruel enemy may hear my words," and Gahan of Gathol whispered in low tones the daring plan he had conceived."And now," he demanded, when he had finished, "let him who does not dare speak now." None replied."Is there none?""And it would not betray you should I cast my sword at thy feet, it had been done ere this," said one in low tones pregnant with suppressed feeling.
"And I!" "And I!" "And I!" chorused the others in vibrant whispers.
