| 111 | 112 | 113 | 114 | 115 |
| 1 | 50 | 99 | 149 | 198 |
|
www.freeclassicebooks.com
The eyes of Tara of Helium flashed, but she made no comment.
"
Those who direct the play do not necessarily take part in it," continued the slave
girl, "but sit in those two great thrones which you see at either end of the board
and direct their pieces from square to square."
"But where lies the danger?" asked Tara of Helium. "If a piece be taken it is
merely removed from the board--this is a rule of jetan as old almost as the
civilization of Barsoom."
"But here in Manator, when they play in the great arena with living men, that rule
is altered," explained Lan-O. "When a warrior is moved to a square occupied by
an opposing piece, the two battle to the death for possession of the square and
the one that is successful advantages by the move. Each is caparisoned to
simulate the piece he represents and in addition he wears that which indicates
whether he be slave, a warrior serving a sentence, or a volunteer. If serving a
sentence the number of games he must play is also indicated, and thus the one
directing the moves knows which pieces to risk and which to conserve, and
further than this, a man's chances are affected by the position that is assigned
him for the game. Those whom they wish to die are always Panthans in the game,
for the Panthan has the least chance of surviving."
"
Do those who direct the play ever actually take part in it?" asked Tara.
"Oh, yes," said Lan-O. "Often when two warriors, even of the highest class, hold a
grievance against one another O-Tar compels them to settle it upon the arena.
Then it is that they take active part and with drawn swords direct their own
players from the position of Chief. They pick their own players, usually the best of
their own warriors and slaves, if they be powerful men who possess such, or their
friends may volunteer, or they may obtain prisoners from the pits. These are
games indeed--the very best that are seen. Often the great chiefs themselves are
slain."
"It is within this amphitheater that the justice of Manator is meted, then?" asked
Tara.
"Very largely," replied Lan-O.
"
How, then, through such justice, could a prisoner win his liberty?" continued the
girl from Helium.
"
If a man, and he survived ten games his liberty would be his," replied Lan-O.
But none ever survives?" queried Tara. "And if a woman?"
"
113
Page
Quick Jump
|