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CHAPTER XVIII - A TASK FOR LOYALTY
Long and loud was the applause that rose above the Field of Jetan at Manator, as
The Keeper of the Towers summoned the two Princesses and the victorious Chief
to the center of the field and presented to the latter the fruits of his prowess, and
then, as custom demanded, the victorious players, headed by Gahan and the two
Princesses, formed in procession behind The Keeper of the Towers and were
conducted to the place of victory before the royal enclosure that they might
receive the commendation of the jeddak. Those who were mounted gave up their
thoats to slaves as all must be on foot for this ceremony. Directly beneath the
royal enclosure are the gates to one of the tunnels that, passing beneath the
seats, give ingress or egress to or from the Field. Before this gate the party halted
while O-Tar looked down upon them from above. Val Dor and Floran, passing
quietly ahead of the others, went directly to the gates, where they were hidden
from those who occupied the enclosure with O-Tar. The Keeper of the Towers may
have noticed them, but so occupied was he with the formality of presenting the
victorious Chief to the jeddak that he paid no attention to them.
"I bring you, O-Tar, Jeddak of Manator, U-Kal of Manataj," he cried in a loud
voice that might be heard by as many as possible, "victor over the Orange in the
second of the Jeddak's Games of the four hundred and thirty-third year of O-Tar,
and the slave woman Tara and the slave woman Lan-O that you may bestow
these, the stakes, upon U-Kal."
As he spoke, a little, wrinkled, old man peered over the rail of the enclosure down
upon the three who stood directly behind The Keeper, and strained his weak and
watery eyes in an effort to satisfy the curiosity of old age in a matter of no
particular import, for what were two slaves and a common warrior from Manataj
to any who sat with O-Tar the jeddak?
"U-Kal of Manataj," said O-Tar, "you have deserved the stakes. Seldom have we
looked upon more noble swordplay. And you tire of Manataj there be always here
in the city of Manator a place for you in The Jeddak's Guard."
While the jeddak was speaking the little, old man, failing clearly to discern the
features of the Black Chief, reached into his pocket-pouch and drew forth a pair
of thick-lensed spectacles, which he placed upon his nose. For a moment he
scrutinized Gahan closely, then he leaped to his feet and addressing O-Tar
pointed a shaking finger it Gahan. As he rose Tara of Helium clutched the Black
Chief's arm.
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