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"Make me chief of the Black and give me for my pieces all slaves from Gathol, for I
understand that those be excellent warriors," replied the panthan.
"It is a strange request," said the keeper, "but for my friend O-Zar I would do even
more, though of course--" he hesitated--"it is customary for one who would be
chief to make some slight payment."
"Certainly," Turan hastened to assure him; "I had not forgotten that. I was about
to ask you what the customary amount is."
"For the friend of my friend it shall be nominal," replied the keeper, naming a
figure that Gahan, accustomed to the high price of wealthy Gathol, thought
ridiculously low.
"
Tell me," he said, handing the money to the keeper, "when the game for the
Heliumite is to be played."
"It is the second in order of the day's games; and now if you will come with me
you may select your pieces."
Turan followed the keeper to a large court which lay between the towers and the
jetan field, where hundreds of warriors were assembled. Already chiefs for the
games of the day were selecting their pieces and assigning them to positions,
though for the principal games these matters had been arranged for weeks before.
The keeper led Turan to a part of the courtyard where the majority of the slaves
were assembled.
"
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. "I seek 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?"
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