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"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!"
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