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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bd25c00 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #63097 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/63097) diff --git a/old/63097-h.zip b/old/63097-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index fd9a384..0000000 --- a/old/63097-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/63097-h/63097-h.htm b/old/63097-h/63097-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 1660ed9..0000000 --- a/old/63097-h/63097-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2944 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=us-ascii" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Warrior of Two Worlds, by Manly Wade Wellman. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -/* Images */ -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -.caption p -{ - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0; - margin: 0.25em 0; -} - -div.titlepage { - text-align: center; - page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; -} - -div.titlepage p { - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0em; - font-weight: bold; - line-height: 1.5; - margin-top: 3em; -} - -.ph1 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; } -.ph1 { font-size: medium; margin: .83em auto; } - - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Warrior of Two Worlds, by Manly Wade Wellman - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Warrior of Two Worlds - -Author: Manly Wade Wellman - -Release Date: September 1, 2020 [EBook #63097] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WARRIOR OF TWO WORLDS *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="titlepage"> - - -<h1>Warrior of Two Worlds</h1> - -<h2>By MANLY WADE WELLMAN</h2> - -<p>He was the man of two planets, drawn through<br /> -the blackness of space to save a nation from<br /> -ruthless invaders. He was Yandro, the<br /> -Stranger of the Prophecy—and he found that<br /> -he was destined to fight both sides.</p> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from<br /> -Planet Stories Summer 1944.<br /> -Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that<br /> -the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<p>My senses came to me slowly and somehow shyly, as if not sure of their -way or welcome. I felt first—pressure on my brow and chest, as if I -lay face downward; then the tug and buffet of a strong, probing wind, -insistent but not cold, upon my naked skin. Closing my hands, I felt -them dig into coarse dirt. I turned my face downwind and opened my -eyes. There was little to see, so thick was the dust cloud around me. -Words formed themselves on my thick tongue, words that must have been -spoken by so many reviving unfortunates through the ages:</p> - -<p>"Where am I?"</p> - -<p>And at once there was an answer:</p> - -<p>"<i>You lie upon the world Dondromogon.</i>"</p> - -<p>I knew the language of that answer, but where it came from—above, -beneath, or indeed within me—I could not say. I lifted a hand, and -knuckled dust from my eyes.</p> - -<p>"How did I get here?" I demanded of the speaker.</p> - -<p>"It was ordered—by the Masters of the Worlds—that you should be -brought from your own home planet, called Earth in the System of the -star called Sun. Do you remember Earth?"</p> - -<p>And I did not know whether I remembered or not. Vague matters stirred -deep in me, but I could not for certain say they were memories. I asked -yet again:</p> - -<p>"Who am I?"</p> - -<p>The voice had a note of triumph. "You do not know that. It is as well, -for this will be a birth and beginning of your destined leadership on -Dondromogon."</p> - -<p>"Destined—leadership—" I began to repeat, and fell silent. I had -need to think. The voice was telling me that I had been snatched from -worlds away, for a specified purpose here on whatever windswept planet -Dondromogon might be. "Birth and beginning—destined leadership—" -Fantastic! And yet, for all I could say to the contrary, unvarnishedly -true.</p> - -<p>"Dondromogon?" I mumbled. "The name is strange to me."</p> - -<p>"It is a world the size of your native one," came words of information. -"Around a star it spins, light-years away from the world of your -birth. One face of Dondromogon ever looks to the light and heat, -wherefore its metals run in glowing seas. The other face is ever away -in cold darkness, with its air freezing into solid chunks. But because -Dondromogon wavers on its axis, there are two lunes of its surface -which from time to time shift from night to day. These are habitable."</p> - -<p>My eyes were tight shut against the dust, but they saw in imagination -such a planet—one-half incandescent, one-half pitchy black. From pole -to pole on opposite sides ran the two twilight zones, widest at the -equators like the outer rind of two slices of melon. Of course, such -areas, between the hot and cold hemispheres, would be buffeted by -mighty gales ... the voice was to be heard again:</p> - -<p>"War is fought between the two strips of habitable ground. War, -unceasing, bitter, with no quarter asked, given or expected. -Dondromogon was found and settled long ago, by adventurers from afar. -Now come invaders, to reap the benefits of discovery and toil." A -pause. "You find that thought unpleasant? You wish to right that -wrong?"</p> - -<p>"Anyone would wish that," I replied. "But how—"</p> - -<p>"You are going to ask how you were brought here. That is the mystery -of the <i>Masters</i>." The voice became grand. "Suffice it that you were -needed, and that the time was ripe. There is a proper time, like a -proper place, for each thing and each happening. Now, go to your -destiny."</p> - -<p>I rose on my knees, shielding my face from the buffeting wind by -lifting a forearm. Somewhere through the murky clouds showed a dim -blocky silhouette, a building of sorts.</p> - -<p>The voice spoke no more. I had not the time to wonder about it. I got -to my feet, bent double to keep from being blown over, and staggered -toward the promised haven.</p> - -<p>I reached it, groped along until I found a door. There was no latch, -handle or entry button, and I pounded heavily on the massive panels. -The door opened from within, and I was blown inside, to fall sprawling.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>I struck my forehead upon a floor of stone or concrete, and so was -half-stunned, but still I could distinguish something like the sound -of agitated voices. Then I felt myself grasped, by both shoulders, -and drawn roughly erect. The touch restored my senses, and I wrenched -myself violently free.</p> - -<p>What had seized me? That was my first wonder. On this strange world -called Dondromogon, what manner of intelligent life bade defiance to -heat and cold and storm, and built these stout structures, and now laid -hands—were they hands indeed?—upon me? I swung around, setting my -back to a solid wall.</p> - -<p>My first glance showed me that my companions were creatures like -myself—two-legged, fair-skinned men, shorter and slighter than I, but -clad in metal-faced garments and wearing weapons in their girdles. I -saw that each bore a swordlike device with a curved guard, set in a -narrow sheath as long as my arm. Each also had a shorter weapon, with -a curved stock to fit the palm of the hand, borne snugly in a holster. -With such arms I had a faint sense of familiarity.</p> - -<p>"Who are you, and where are you from?" said one of the two, a -broad-faced middle-aged fellow. "Don't lie any more than you can help."</p> - -<p>I felt a stirring of the hair on my neck, but kept my voice mild and -level: "Why should I lie? Especially as I don't know who I am, or where -I'm from, or anything that has happened longer ago than just a moment. -I woke up out there in the dust storm, and I managed to come here for -shelter."</p> - -<p>"He's a Newcomer spy," quoth the other. "Let's put him under arrest."</p> - -<p>"And leave this gate unguarded?" demanded the other. "Sound the -signal," and he jerked his head toward a system of levers and gauges on -the wall beside the door-jamb.</p> - -<p>"There's a bigger reward for capture than for warning," objected -his friend in turn, "and whoever comes to take this man will claim -'capture.' I'll guard here, and you take him in, then we'll divide—"</p> - -<p>"No. Yours is the idea. I'll guard and you take him in." The second man -studied me apprehensively. "He's big, and looks strong, even without -weapons."</p> - -<p>"Don't be afraid," I urged. "I'll make no resistance, if you'll only -conduct me to your commander. I can show him that I'm no spy or enemy."</p> - -<p>Both stared narrowly. "No spy? No enemy?" asked the broad-faced one who -had first spoken. Then, to his comrade: "No reward, then."</p> - -<p>"I think there'll be a reward," was the rejoinder, and the second man's -hand stole to the sword-weapon. With a whispering rasp it cleared from -its scabbard. "If he's dead, we get pay for both warning and capture—"</p> - -<p>His thumb touched a button at the pommel of the hilt. The dull blade -suddenly glowed like heated iron, and from it crackled and pulsed -little rainbow rays.</p> - -<p>There was no time to think or plan or ponder. I moved in, with a -knowing speed that surprised me as much as the two guards. Catching the -fellow's weapon wrist, I clamped it firmly and bent it back and around. -He whimpered and swore, and his glowing sword dropped. Its radiant -blade almost fell on my naked foot. Before the clang of its fall was -through echoing, I had caught it up, and set the point within inches of -its owner's unprotected face.</p> - -<p>"Quiet, or I'll roast you," I told him.</p> - -<p>The other had drawn a weapon of his own, a pistol-form arrangement. -I turned on him, but too late. He pressed the trigger, and from the -muzzle came—not a projectile but a flying, spouting filament of cord -that seemed to spring on me like a long thin snake and to fasten coil -after coil around my body. The stuff that gushed from the gun-muzzle -seemed plastic in form, but hardened so quickly upon contact with the -air, it bound me like wire. Half a dozen adroit motions of the fellow's -gun hand, and my arms were caught to my body. I dropped my sword to -prevent it burning me, and tried to break away, but my bonds were too -much for me.</p> - -<p>"Let me out of this," I growled, and kicked at the man with my still -unbound foot. He snapped a half-hitch on my ankle, and threw me -heavily. Triumphant laughter came from both adversaries. Then:</p> - -<p>"What's this?"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The challenge was clear, rich, authoritative. Someone else had come, -from a rearward door into the stone-walled vestibule where the -encounter was taking place.</p> - -<p>A woman this time, not of great height, and robust but not heavy. She -was dressed for vigorous action in dark slacks with buskins to make -them snug around ankles and calves, a jerkin of stout material that was -faced with metal armor plates and left bare her round, strong arms. A -gold-worked fillet bound her tawny hair back from a rosy, bold-featured -face—a nose that was positively regal, a mouth short and firm but not -hard, and blue eyes that just now burned and questioned. She wore a -holstered pistol, and a cross-belt supported several instruments of a -kind I could not remember seeing before. A crimson cloak gave color and -dignity to her costume, and plainly she was someone of position, for -both the men stiffened to attention.</p> - -<p>"A spy," one ventured. "He pushed in, claimed he was no enemy, then -tried to attack—"</p> - -<p>"They lie," I broke in, very conscious of my naked helplessness before -her regard. "They wanted to kill me and be rewarded for a false story -of vigilance. I only defended myself."</p> - -<p>"Get him on his feet," the young woman said, and the two guards -obeyed. Then her eyes studied me again. "Gods! What a mountain of a -man!" she exclaimed. "Can you walk, stranger?"</p> - -<p>"Barely, with these bonds."</p> - -<p>"Then manage to do so." She flung off her cloak and draped it over my -nakedness. "Walk along beside me. No tricks, and I promise you fair -hearing."</p> - -<p>We went through the door by which she had entered, into a corridor -beyond. It was lighted by small, brilliant bulbs at regular intervals. -Beyond, it gave into several passages. She chose one of them and -conducted me along. "You are surely not of us," she commented. "Men I -have seen who are heavier than you, but none taller. Whence came you?"</p> - -<p>I remembered the strange voice that had instructed me. "I am from a -far world," I replied. "It is called—yes, Earth. Beyond that, I know -nothing. Memory left me."</p> - -<p>"The story is a strange one," she commented. "And your name?"</p> - -<p>"I do not know that, either. Who are you?"</p> - -<p>"Doriza—a gentlewoman of the guard. My inspection tour brought me by -chance to where you fought my outposts. But it is not for you to ask -questions. Enter here."</p> - -<p>We passed through another door, and I found myself in an office. A man -in richly-embossed armor platings sat there. He had a fringe of pale -beard, and his eyes were bluer than the gentlewoman Doriza's.</p> - -<p>She made a gesture of salute, hand at shoulder height, and reported the -matter. He nodded for her to fall back to a corner.</p> - -<p>"Stranger," he said to me, "can you think of no better tale to tell -than you now offer?"</p> - -<p>"I tell the truth," was my reply, not very gracious.</p> - -<p>"You will have to prove that," he admonished me.</p> - -<p>"What proof have I?" I demanded. "On this world of yours—Dondromogon, -isn't it called?—I'm no more than an hour old. Accident or shock -has taken my memory. Let me have a medical examination. A scientist -probably can tell what happened to put me in such a condition."</p> - -<p>"I am a scientist," offered Doriza, and came forward. Her eyes met -mine, suddenly flickered and lowered. "His gaze," she muttered.</p> - -<p>The officer at the table was touching a button. An attendant appeared, -received an order, and vanished again. In a few moments two other -men came—one a heavily armed officer of rank, the other an elderly, -bearded fellow in a voluminous robe that enfolded him in most dignified -manner.</p> - -<p>This latter man opened wide his clear old eyes at sight of me.</p> - -<p>"The stranger of the prophecy!" he cried, in a voice that made us all -jump.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The officer rose from behind the table. "Are you totally mad, Sporr? -You mystic doctors are too apt to become fuddled—"</p> - -<p>"But it is, it is!" The graybeard flourished a thin hand at me. "Look -at him, you of little faith! Your mind dwells so much on material -strength that you lose touch with the spiritual—"</p> - -<p>He broke off, and wheeled on the attendant who had led him in. "To my -study," he commanded. "On the shelf behind my desk, bring the great -gold-bound book that is third from the right." Then he turned back, -and bowed toward me. "Surely you are Yandro, the Conquering Stranger," -he said, intoning as if in formal prayer. "Pardon these short-sighted -ones—deign to save us from our enemies—"</p> - -<p>The girl Doriza spoke to the officer: "If Sporr speaks truth, and he -generally does, you have committed a blasphemy."</p> - -<p>The other made a little grimace. "This may be Yandro, though I'm a -plain soldier and follow the classics very little. The First Comers are -souls to worship, not to study. If indeed he is Yandro," and he was -most respectful, "he will appreciate, like a good military mind, my -caution against possible impostors."</p> - -<p>"Who might Yandro be?" I demanded, very uncomfortable in my bonds and -loose draperies.</p> - -<p>Old Sporr almost crowed. "You see? If he was a true imposter, he would -come equipped with all plausible knowledge. As it is—"</p> - -<p>"As it is, he may remember that the Conquering Stranger is foretold -to come with no memory of anything," supplied the officer. "Score one -against you, Sporr. You should have been able to instruct me, not I -you."</p> - -<p>The attendant reentered, with a big book in his hands. It looked -old and well-thumbed, with dim gold traceries on its binding. Sporr -snatched it, and turned to a brightly colored picture. He looked once, -his beard gaped, and he dropped to his knees.</p> - -<p>"Happy, happy the day," he jabbered, "that I was spared to see our -great champion come among us in the flesh, as was foretold of ancient -time by the First Comers!"</p> - -<p>Doriza and the officer crossed to his side, snatching the book. Their -bright heads bent above it. Doriza was first to speak. "It is very -like," she half-stammered.</p> - -<p>The officer faced me, with a sort of baffled respect.</p> - -<p>"I still say you will understand my caution," he addressed me, with -real respect and shyness this time. "If you are Yandro himself, you can -prove it. The prophecy even sketches a thumb-print—" And he held the -book toward me.</p> - -<p>It contained a full-page likeness, in color, of myself wrapped in a -scarlet robe. Under this was considerable printed description, and to -one side a thumb-print, or a drawing of one, in black.</p> - -<p>"Behold," Doriza was saying, "matters which even expert identification -men take into thought. The ears in the picture are like the ears of the -real man—"</p> - -<p>"That could be plastic surgery," rejoined the officer. "Such things are -artfully done by the Newcomers, and the red mantle he wears more easily -assumed."</p> - -<p>Doriza shook her head. "That happens to be my cloak. I gave it to him -because he was naked, and not for any treasonable masquerade. But the -thumb-print—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, the thumb-print," I repeated wearily. "By all means, study my -thumbs, if you'll first take these bonds off of me."</p> - -<p>"Bonds," mumbled old Sporr. He got creakily up from his knees and -bustled to me. From under his robe he produced a pouch, and took out a -pencil-sized rod. Gingerly opening the red mantle, he touched my tether -in several places with the glowing end of the rod. The coils dropped -away from my grateful body and limbs. I thrust out my hands.</p> - -<p>"Thumb-prints?" I offered.</p> - -<p>Sporr had produced something else, a little vial of dark pigment. He -carefully anointed one of my thumbs, and pressed it to the page. All -three gazed.</p> - -<p>"The same," said Doriza.</p> - -<p>And they were all on their knees before me.</p> - -<p>"Forgive me, great Yandro," said the officer thickly. "I did not know."</p> - -<p>"Get up," I bade them. "I want to hear why I was first bound, and now -worshipped."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">II</p> - -<p>They rose, but stood off respectfully. The officer spoke first. "I am -Rohbar, field commander of this defense position," he said with crisp -respect. "Sporr is a mystic doctor, full of godly wisdom. Doriza, -a junior officer and chief of the guard. And you—how could you -know?—are sent by the First Comers to save us from our enemies."</p> - -<p>"Enemies?" I repeated.</p> - -<p>"The Newcomers," supplemented Doriza. "They have taken the "Other Side" -of Dondromogon, and would take our side as well. We defend ourselves -at the poles. Now," and her voice rang joyously, "you will lead us to -defeat and crush them utterly!"</p> - -<p>"Not naked like this," I said, and laughed. I must have sounded -foolish, but it had its effect.</p> - -<p>"Follow me, deign to follow me," Sporr said. "Your clothing, your -quarters, your destiny, all await you."</p> - -<p>We went out by the door at the rear, and Sporr respectfully gestured me -upon a metal-plated platform. Standing beside me, he tinkered with a -lever. We dropped smoothly away into a dark corridor, past level after -level of light and sound.</p> - -<p>"Our cities are below ground," he quavered. "Whipped by winds above, -we must scrabble in the depths for life's necessities—chemicals to -transmute into food, to weave into clothing, to weld into tools and -weapons—"</p> - -<p>The mention of food brought to me the thought that I was hungry. I said -as much, even as our elevator platform came to the lowest level and -stopped.</p> - -<p>"I have arranged for that," Sporr began, then fell silent, fingers -combing his beard in embarrassment.</p> - -<p>"Arranged food for me?" I prompted sharply. "As if you know I had come? -What—"</p> - -<p>"Pardon, great Yandro," babbled Sporr. "I was saying that I arranged -food, as always, for whatever guest should come. Please follow."</p> - -<p>We entered a new small chamber, where a table was set with dishes of -porcelain-like plastic. Sporr held a chair for me, and waited on me -with the utmost gingerly respect. The food was a pungent and filling -jelly, a little bundle of transparent leaves or scraps like cellophane -and tasting of spice, and a tumbler of pink juice. I felt refreshed and -satisfied, and thanked Sporr, who led me on to the next room.</p> - -<p>"Behold!" he said, with a dramatic gesture. "Your garments, even as -they have been preserved against your coming!"</p> - -<p>It was a sleeping chamber, with a cot made fast to the wall, a metal -locker or cupboard, with a glass door through which showed the garments -of which Sporr spoke.</p> - -<p>The door closed softly behind me—I was left alone.</p> - -<p>Knowing that it was expected of me, I went to the locker and opened -the door. The garments inside were old, I could see, but well kept and -serviceable. I studied their type, and my hands, if not my mind, seemed -familiar with them.</p> - -<p>There was a kiltlike item, belted at the waist and falling to -mid-thigh. A resilient band at the top, with a series of belt-holes, -made it adaptable to my own body or to any other. Then came an upper -garment, a long strip of soft, close-woven fabric that spiralled -around the torso from hip to armpit, the end looping over the left -shoulder and giving full play to the arms. A gold-worked fillet bound -the brows and swept back my longish hair, knotting at the nape of the -neck. The only fitted articles were a pair of shoes, metal-soled and -soft-uppered, that went on well enough and ran cross-garters up to -below the knee, like buskins. The case also held a platinum chain for -the neck, a belt-bag, and a handsome sword, with clips to fasten them -in place. These things, too, I donned, and closed the glass door.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The light struck it at such an angle as to make it serve for a -full-length mirror. With some curiosity I gazed at my image.</p> - -<p>The close-fitting costume was rich and dark, with bright colors only -for edgings and minor accessories. I myself—and it was as if I saw my -body for the first time—towered rather bluffly, with great breadth -of chest and shoulder, and legs robust enough to carry such bulk. The -face was square but haggard, as if from some toil or pain which was now -wiped from my recollection. That nose had been even bigger than it was -now, but a fracture had shortened it somewhat. The eyes were deep set -and dark and moody—small wonder!—the chin heavy, the mouth made grim -by a scar at one corner. Black, shaggy hair hung down like brackets. -All told, I looked like a proper person for physical labor, or even -fierce fighting—but surely no inspirational leader or savior of a -distressed people.</p> - -<p>I took the military cloak which Doriza had lent me and slung it over my -shoulders. Turning, I clanked out on my metal-soled shoes.</p> - -<p>Sporr was waiting in the room where I had eaten. His eyes widened at -sight of me, something like a grin of triumph flashed through his -beard. Then he bowed, supple and humble, his palms together.</p> - -<p>"It is indeed Yandro, our great chief," he mumbled. Then he turned and -crossed the room. A sort of mouthpiece sprouted from the wall.</p> - -<p>"I announce," he intoned into it. "I announce, I, Sporr, the reader and -fore-teller of wisdom. Yandro is with us, he awaits his partners and -friends. Let them meet him in the audience hall."</p> - -<p>Facing me again, he motioned most respectfully toward the door to the -hall. I moved to open it, and he followed, muttering.</p> - -<p>Outside stood Doriza. Her blue eyes met mine, and her lips moved to -frame a word. Then, suddenly, she was on her knee, catching my hand and -kissing it.</p> - -<p>"I serve Yandro," she vowed tremulously. "Now and forever—and happy -that I was fated to live when he returned for the rescue of all -Dondromogon."</p> - -<p>"Please get up," I bade her, trying not to sound as embarrassed as I -felt. "Come with me. There is still much that I do not understand."</p> - -<p>"I am Yandro's orderly and helper," she said. Rising, she ranged -herself at my left hand. "Will Yandro come this way? He will be awaited -in the audience hall."</p> - -<p>It seemed to me then that the corridors were vast and mixed as a -labyrinth, but Doriza guided me without the slightest hesitation past -one tangled crossway after another. My questions she answered with a -mixture of awe and brightness.</p> - -<p>"It is necessary that we live like this," she explained. "The hot air -of Dondromogon's sunlit face is ever rising, and the cold air from -the dark side comes rushing under to fill the vacuum. Naturally, our -strip of twilight country is never free of winds too high and fierce to -fight. No crops can grow outside, no domestic animals flourish. We must -pen ourselves away from the sky and soil, with stout walls and heavy -sunken parapets. Our deep mines afford every element for necessities of -life."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>I looked at my garments, and hers. There were various kinds of fabric, -which I now saw plainly to be synthetic. "The other side, where those -you call the Newcomers dwell and fight," I reminded. "Is it also -windswept? Why can two people not join forces and face toil and nature -together? They should fight, not each other, but the elements."</p> - -<p>Doriza had no answer that time, but Sporr spoke up behind us: "Great -Yandro is wise as well as powerful. But the Newcomers do not want to -help, not even to conquer. They want to obliterate us. There is nothing -to do—not for lifetimes—but to fight them back at the two poles."</p> - -<p>We came to a main corridor. It had a line of armed guards, but no -pedestrians or vehicles, though I thought I caught a murmur of far-off -traffic. Doriza paused before a great portal, closed by a curtainlike -sheet of dull metal. She spoke into a mouthpiece:</p> - -<p>"Doriza, gentlewoman of the guard, conducts Yandro, the Conquering -Stranger, to greet his lieutenants!"</p> - -<p>I have said that the portal was closed by a curtainlike metal sheet; -and like a curtain it lifted, letting us through into the auditorium.</p> - -<p>That spacious chamber had rows of benches, with galleries above, that -might have seated a thousand. However, only a dozen or so were present, -on metal chairs ranged across the stage upon which we entered. They -were all men but two, and wore robes of black, plum-purple or red. At -sight of me, they rose together, most respectfully. They looked at me, -and I looked at them.</p> - -<p>My first thought was, that if these were people of authority and trust -in the nation I seemed destined to save, my work was cut out for me.</p> - -<p>Not that they really seemed stupid—none had the look, or the -subsequent action, of stupidity. But they were not pleasant. Their -dozen pairs of eyes fixed me with some steadiness, but with no -frankness anywhere. One man had a round, greedy-seeming face. Another -was too narrow and cunning to look it. Of the women, one was nearly -as tall as I and nobly proportioned, with hair of a red that would be -inspiring were it not so blatantly dyed. The other was a little wisp of -a brunette, with teeth too big for her scarlet mouth and bright eyes -like some sort of a rodent. They all wore jewelry. Too much jewelry.</p> - -<p>My mind flew back to the two scrubby, venial guardsmen who had first -welcomed me; to stuffy Rohbar, the commander; to Sporr, spry and clever -enough, but somehow unwholesome; Doriza—no, she was not like these -others, who may have lived too long in their earth-buried shelters. And -Doriza now spoke to the gathering:</p> - -<p>"Yandro, folk of the Council! He deigns to give you audience."</p> - -<p>"<i>Yandro!</i>"</p> - -<p>They all spoke the name in chorus, and bowed toward me.</p> - -<p>Silence then, a silence which evidently I must break. I broke it: -"Friends, I am among you with no more memory or knowledge than an -infant. I hear wonderful things, of which I seem to be the center. Are -they true?"</p> - -<p>"The tenth part of the wonders which concern mighty Yandro have not -been told," intoned Sporr, ducking his bearded head in a bow, but -fixing me with his wise old eyes.</p> - -<p>One of the group, called Council by Doriza, now moved a pace forward. -He was the greedy-faced man, short but plump, and very conscious of -the dignified folds of his purple robe. One carefully-tended hand -brushed back his ginger-brown hair, then toyed with a little moustache.</p> - -<p>"I am Gederr, senior of this Council," he purred. "If Yandro permits, I -will speak simply. Our hopes have been raised by Yandro's return—the -return presaged of old by those who could see the future, and more -recently by the death in battle of the Newcomer champion, called Barak."</p> - -<p>"Barak!" I repeated. "I—I—" And I paused. When I had to learn my own -name, how could it be that I sensed memory of another's name?</p> - -<p>"Barak was a brute—mighty, but a brute." Thus Gederr continued. -"Weapons in his hands were the instruments of fate. His hands alone -caused fear and ruin. But it pleased our fortune-bringing stars to -encompass his destruction." He grinned, and licked his full lips. "Now, -even as they are without their battle-leader, so we have ours."</p> - -<p>"You honor me," I told him. "Yet I still know little. It seems that I -am expected to aid and lead and save the people of this world called -Dondromogon. But I must know them before I can help."</p> - -<p>Gederr turned his eyes upon the woman with the red hair, and gestured -to her "Tell him, Elonie." Then he faced me. "Have we Yandro's -permission to sit?"</p> - -<p>"By all means," I granted, a little impatiently, and sat down myself. -The others followed suit—the Council on their range of chairs, Doriza -on a bench near me, Sporr somewhere behind. The woman called Elonie -remained upon her sandalled feet, great eyes the color of deep green -water fixed upon me.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Elonie was taller than any of her fellow Council members, taller than -Sporr, almost as tall as I. Her figure was mature, generous, but fine, -and set off by a snugly-draped robe as red as her dyed cascade of hair. -Red-dyed, too, were the tips of her fingers, and her lips were made -vivid and curvy beyond nature by artificial crimson. She made a bow -toward me, smiled a little, showing most perfect white teeth. She began:</p> - -<p>"Dondromogon began with the First Comers. Many ages they ruled here, -the Fifteen of them. Forever they were fifteen, for when one died, -another was bred; when one was born, the oldest or least useful was -eliminated. It was they who planned and began this shelter-city, found -the elements that support life and give comfort.</p> - -<p>"Others came, from far worlds. The Fifteen changed their policy of a -fixed number, and became rulers of the new colonists. But after some -study, it was decided to set a new limit. Seven hundred was decided -upon, and seven hundred we still remain."</p> - -<p>"Wait," I interrupted. "You mean that, when new children are born among -you, someone must die?"</p> - -<p>She nodded. "Exactly as with the Fifteen. We eliminate the least -useful. Sometimes we eliminate the child itself. More often, an older -and worn-out individual."</p> - -<p>I thought that I sensed an uncomfortable wriggle in Sporr, behind me. -"Why is this?" I demanded.</p> - -<p>"Because, Yandro, there cannot be room and supplies enough for a -greater number."</p> - -<p>I scowled to myself. So far I had seen luxury enough in Dondromogon's -chambers and tunnels. But there remained so much to learn. "Go on," I -bade her.</p> - -<p>She nodded again, and obeyed: "Thus we on Dondromogon live and have -lived. This world is ours, its good and evil. But," and her voice, from -a soft, shy murmur, turned hard, "there are those who do not wish it -so. The Newcomers—the invaders!"</p> - -<p>"Ill be their fate," growled Gederr beside her, as if rehearsed.</p> - -<p>"They came to us, not long ago in years ... but I forget, Yandro does -not know as yet the length of Dondromogon's year, or Dondromogon's -day. They came, then, no longer ago than the time needed for a baby to -become a child."</p> - -<p>Three years of my own reckoning I decided, and wished she had not -mentioned babies and children. I still disliked that arbitrary -survival-of-the-fittest custom. "Where did they come from?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"Who can tell? Perhaps from the forgotten world where came our -ancestors. Somehow they had learned of our conquest here, our advances -and wealth-gathering in spite of natural obstacles. That is what they -hope to plunder from us, these conquering Newcomers!"</p> - -<p>"Ill be their fate," repeated Gederr, and two or three of the Council -with him.</p> - -<p>"But the winds are too high for a final battle to happen quickly. After -some fighting, they seized upon the other strip of habitable land, -on Dondromogon's other side. We fight them at the two poles—mostly -underground. Do you understand?"</p> - -<p>"I seem to," I replied. "But now what about me? The story of Yandro?"</p> - -<p>"Did not Sporr tell everything?" broke in Gederr. "He should have done -so. Sporr, the Council is not pleased."</p> - -<p>"I had to go slowly," apologized the old man, and Elonie took up the -tale:</p> - -<p>"It is known to all on Dondromogon. The days of the First Comers held -great minds that could see the future. Then it was foreseen that, in -Dondromogon's hour of peril and need, a time set by the destruction of -an enemy great and mighty—"</p> - -<p>"Barak," I said aloud, still puzzling over that strangely familiar name.</p> - -<p>"At that time," finished Elonie, "a leader to be called Yandro, the -Conquering Stranger, would come. Even clothing was supplied—clothing -not like that we wear today."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>She gestured toward me. Indeed, the garments I wore were different from -those of my companions. I shook my head slowly, and tried to digest -what I had heard once again. But one bit of it still clamored for -rejection.</p> - -<p>"About these eliminations," I harked back. "Who decides on which person -must die to keep the number down to seven hundred?"</p> - -<p>"We do," replied Gederr, almost bleakly.</p> - -<p>"And the Newcomers, have they a similar custom?"</p> - -<p>"Not they, the greedy interlopers." Gederr looked very greedy himself. -"They delve and destroy in Dondromogon, feeding ever new spates of -arrivals."</p> - -<p>"It seems," I offered, "that you would be well advised to grow in -number, and so win this war."</p> - -<p>But Gederr shook his head. "We check-mate them at the two poles, where -the way into our territory is narrow. And more than seven hundred would -be hard to make comfortable."</p> - -<p>"Friends, I do not like it," I stated flatly. "There seems to be -ruthlessness, and waste."</p> - -<p>"Why waste?" spoke up another of the Council, the narrow man, whose -name was Stribakar. "This war has begun only recently, but it will last -forever. At least, so I see it."</p> - -<p>"Now that Yandro is here, it shall be brought to an end," pronounced -Elonie, her green eyes fixed on me. "Will it please Yandro to see -something of this war?"</p> - -<p>"Since you make it so much my business, I would be pleased indeed," I -told her, and Sporr rose from his seat. He went to an oblong of white -translucency, on a side wall of the stage within sight of us all. It -was about twice a man's height by thrice a man's width.</p> - -<p>"The screen of a televiso," he said to me, and touched a dial beside -it. The screen lighted, with confused blurrings of color and movement. -He dialed quickly and knowingly.</p> - -<p>"We see an underground passage," he said. "And those who dispute -therein."</p> - -<p>I could see a gloomy stretch of earth-walled passage, lighted from -somewhere by a yellow radiance that became dim and brown toward one -end. I had no way of judging the true size of the object whose image -I saw, until I made out stealthy movement at the darker end. Sporr's -dialing made parts of the scene clear, and the movement proved to be -that of a human figure, prone and partially concealed in a depression -of the floor. That figure was no more than half-height, by which I -estimated the passage itself to be some fifteen or eighteen feet to the -top of its rough-dug ceiling.</p> - -<p>"A scout," breathed Doriza beside me, pointing to the prone man. "See, -Yandro, he wears earth-colored cloth over his armor, and his arms and -face are smeared with mud. The thing he holds is a ray-digger, whereby -he burrows his way forward to the enemy.</p> - -<p>"Enemy in the same tunnel with him?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"Right." I saw her blond head dip. "Our tunnel broke into one of -theirs, by accident or plan. At point of contact, both forces are -cautious, fearing ambush. Now—"</p> - -<p>She said no more. The scout on the screen was apparently creeping -forward through the solid soil of the floor, only the top of his head -and shoulders showing. Once or twice I saw the object he employed, -a baton-like tool of black metal with a bulb or ball at one end. It -emitted faint sparks and shudders of light, which melted or vaporized -the earth ahead of him.</p> - -<p>"See! He senses danger near."</p> - -<p>Indeed he did; for he paused, and took something else from his belt—a -disk the size of his palm. This he held close to his face, studying it.</p> - -<p>"Televiso," explained Doriza. "It has limited power of identifying both -sound and sight near at hand. The scout knows that enemy approach."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Still working his dials, Sporr made the scene slide along. The bright -end of the tunnel came into view for some yards. All who watched leaned -forward excitedly.</p> - -<p>"Newcomers," breathed Gederr, and added his familiar curse, "ill be -their fate! They have one of those vibration-shields."</p> - -<p>"Warn the advance party," bade Stribakar, and Sporr, turning from his -dials, muttered quickly into a speaking tube.</p> - -<p>The situation that thus interested and activated my companions was hard -to make out. I saw only an indistinct fuzziness in a sort of niche -against the tunnel wall. Doriza pointed.</p> - -<p>"A vibration-shield," she told me. "The Newcomers have such things. -Some machine or other power stirs the molecules of air to such a new -tempo as to create a plane of force. No missile, no light even, can -penetrate. They are sheltered and all but indistinguishable. See, they -go forward."</p> - -<p>The eddying cloud moved along the tunnel. We could see the scout again. -He tucked away his disk and employed the ray-digger. Quickly he sank -deeper and out of sight.</p> - -<p>"Burrowing in," pronounced Gederr. "If he succeeds in what he hopes—"</p> - -<p>"Spare him, you mean?" asked Stribakar, and Gederr nodded.</p> - -<p>The eddying blotch that marked the power-shield of the invaders came -closer. I saw it approach the place where the scout had burrowed away. -It paused there, as if those hidden by it were investigating. Then—</p> - -<p>"Brave fellow!" cried Elonie, like someone at an exciting sports event -or play.</p> - -<p>The scout had dug himself a little channel beneath the floor. Now -he burst into view, beyond and behind the invaders. He held a -pistol-weapon in each hand. One spat sparks—some sort of pellets or -projectiles. The other was plainly a web-spinner like the one that -first had bound me, and this he poised ready for use.</p> - -<p>His projectiles seemed to find an opening behind the power-shield. A -human form lurched into view—a glowing, writhing form, like a man -of red-hot metal. An agonized leap, a shudder, and the body fell, -abruptly falling into clinkered bits. A moment later, the power-shield -disturbance vanished, and there stood revealed two others, clad like -the scout in earth-colored jumper over armor.</p> - -<p>"He got the power-shield man!" exulted Elonie. She was on her feet, -applauding wildly. In the same second, I saw the scout point and -discharge his spinner-gun. Whirling coils of cord struck, wound and -tangled the two foremen. The scout's bearded mouth opened, as if he -yelled in exultation.</p> - -<p>But that was his last cry and action. Another eddy, larger and swifter, -suddenly came into the picture behind him. From it sprang a pale shaft -of light. The scout went down on his face as if in sudden prayer. He -moved no more.</p> - -<p>Toward the dark end, Dondromogon figures seemed to move. There was a -great spatter of spark-pellets. But the eddy of the new power-shield -had scurried forward, enveloping and vanishing the two bound men. It -retired as quickly. No movement, no figure, except those of the dead -scout and the charred remains of the man he had killed.</p> - -<p>"There will be little action here for some time to come," announced -Gederr. "Switch it off, Sporr."</p> - -<p>Sporr did so. I shook myself, as if to rid my body of unpleasant -dampness and chill.</p> - -<p>"Exciting," I said. "Unusual. I suppose this goes on all the time."</p> - -<p>"Not all the time," Elonie demurred. "As Yandro has heard, the -battle-areas are limited, in the region of the poles. There is much -maneuvering, but not too much contact. This incident was an order."</p> - -<p>"Order?" I repeated.</p> - -<p>"We sent the man you saw, knowing that you would want this televiso -view of how we made war."</p> - -<p>I snorted and faced her angrily. "You sent him to his death? So that I -could see a show? You value life very cheaply, Elonie."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">III</p> - -<p>She smiled, as if I had complimented her. "Oh, the man was up for -elimination. He was supernumerary. Of course, if he had succeeded -in his capture of prisoners and one of the devices that make those -power-shields—"</p> - -<p>I remembered what Stribakar had said to Gederr. "He was brave," I said, -"and it was a shame that he had to die. You want me to be a leader in -war like that? I have other ideas of warfare."</p> - -<p>All of them looked at me, and one spoke from behind Gederr: "We had -hoped that Yandro would say that. Yandro means to lead us in person—in -a great and decisive battle."</p> - -<p>"At least it would be cleaner than this mole-digging and sneaking," I -said hotly.</p> - -<p>Gederr rose. "Sporr, tune in whatever terminal you can find among the -Newcomers. I shall say something to them."</p> - -<p>Obediently Sporr manipulated levers, push-buttons and dials near the -speaking-tube. Gederr crossed to it and spoke harshly:</p> - -<p>"Newcomers, ill be your fate! Your defeat is at hand! We give you -warning! Our engines will burrow a mighty cave near the north pole. Let -you come there, with all your hosts—and so shall we, so shall we!" -His voice rose to a scream. "With us—leading us—comes the greatest -fighter that Dondromogon has ever known, and the sight of him shall -<i>break your hearts</i>!"</p> - -<p>My ears rang, as the ears of all listeners must have rung, with those -last words. Gederr turned away, and Sporr dialed the power off.</p> - -<p>"Now," Gederr said, "is there not some plan for amusement? A pleasant -hour in the Pavilion? Great Yandro's heart is troubled—for it is as -great as himself—by thoughts of war and its pains. Let him come with -us for solace."</p> - -<p>"Amen to that," said Elonie, and she walked toward me. I rose, and she -slid her bare arm through mine. Her face was close to mine, smiling and -full of invitation. It seemed that Doriza was going to say something, -but Elonie spoke first: "He will need no military aide, Doriza. Nothing -military about the Pavilion, you remember."</p> - -<p>We walked out together—Elonie and myself, then the others. We found -a wider corridor, and one full of hum and motion. The smooth floor -of the passage was seamed with metal-shod grooves, in which moved -vehicles—ovoid vehicles, of various sizes, balancing, it seemed, -on one whirring wheel apiece. Elonie escorted me to one such car, -which stood poised on its wheel like a dancer on tiptoe. There was -room inside for the two of us only, among luxurious cushions. At her -respectful invitation I sat inside, and she operated controls.</p> - -<p>"Thus we travel in this city," she chatted as we rolled along. "Not -swiftly, of course, in this nor in our other city, near the South Pole. -The real speed is in the way-tunnels between."</p> - -<p>"Way-tunnels the width of a world?" I asked, wondering. "How can only -seven hundred persons do such work?"</p> - -<p>"You saw the ray-digger on the televiso. There are larger and more -complex diggers of that type, by which we can journey almost anywhere -underground—clear through the core of Dondromogon and up into Newcomer -lands, were it not for the inner fires. Perhaps we shall dig them out -by the roots in time, despite their defenses."</p> - -<p>Once again I thought of so much science and wealth, and of people dying -because their rulers thought seven hundred were none too few to enjoy -the benefits of a world.</p> - -<p>We stopped down a fork of the vehicle-corridor, and Elonie dismounted -before another of the metal curtain-doors. At her touch of a button and -a word into a speaking tube, it opened to us. We passed into a smaller -passageway, and then out into a place of aching beauty.</p> - -<p>My first impression was of pastel lights, changing and mingling -constantly—blue, violet, pink, green, orchid, pale. They struck from -starlike points in a great domed ceiling, over a floor like a mirror. -And the pastel-tinted air was filled with music, soft but penetrating -and heady. There was a breeze from somewhere, scented and warm. In -and out of other doorways across the floor wandered figures, male and -female, murmuring together and helping themselves to cups from great -trestles and tables.</p> - -<p>"The refreshments are provided," Elonie told me softly. "We need not -wait for the others. Come, Yandro. They have poured wine—Yandro knows -what wine is? And we have music, perfume, light, laughter, and for -companions all of Dondromogon."</p> - -<p>"All?" I repeated.</p> - -<p>"All save those on guard or garrison duty. Come, mighty one. Know -happiness that is worth fighting and conquering to keep."</p> - -<p>She tugged at my arm, urging me toward the wine-tables.</p> - -<p>And now there was a louder murmur, excitement and even apprehension, at -my entrance. I suppose I was an extraordinary figure—taller than any -person there, indeed none were anywhere near my height save the nobly -proportioned Elonie herself. And I was more sinewy, and darker, as if -of another race entirely. Timid memories struggled somewhere within -me, as if knocking at the closed doors of my consciousness. Somewhere, -somehow in the past, things had happened that might explain so much, -make my present position clearer to me.</p> - -<p>Gederr was following close behind, muttering something to Doriza. Then -he pressed on beyond me, and mounted a sort of dais or platform.</p> - -<p>"You of Dondromogon!" he called, and such was his voice, or perhaps the -acoustic properties of that hemispheric room, that all could hear him -easily. "Have you not heard rumors of a great happening? The ancient -legend of a mighty leader to come among us—"</p> - -<p>"Yandro!" cried a deep-voiced fellow in the front belt of listeners. -His eyes were on me, studying, questioning.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Yandro, champion of our cause, sent by the First Comers -themselves!" That was Elonie, and with a hand on my elbow she urged me -up on the platform beside Gederr.</p> - -<p>Applause burst out, some of it a little drunken, but quite hearty and -honest. "Yandro!" cried the deep-voiced man again, and others took it -up: "Yandro! Yandro!" Whatever my own doubts, they had none.</p> - -<p>Gederr held up an authoritative hand for silence. "He came from far in -space and time, and one look will assure you of his leadership. The -time for deliverance is at hand, men and women of Dondromogon! We trust -in mighty Yandro!"</p> - -<p>There was louder applause, in the midst of which Gederr sidled close. -"Speak to them," he mumbled in my ear.</p> - -<p>Like him, I lifted a hand for silence. It came, and I eyed my audience, -as I sought for words to speak.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The first thought that came was that, if Elonie were right and these -people were the selected best of the race, then Dondromogon was -decadently peopled. Not only were they smallish and mostly frail, but -few had a distinguished or aggressive cast of countenance. The Council -members had been wise-seeming, perhaps, but even they had not struck me -as healthy types. To one side stood Doriza, militarily at attention, -blue eyes fast upon me—she was a notable exception, compact and strong -and healthy of body and mind, and at the same time quite as feminine as -the more flashy and languorous Elonie just beside my platform. Through -the rear ranks of listeners moved old white-bearded Sporr, who had much -to say to certain members of the throng, perhaps explaining me and my -legend.</p> - -<p>"Friends," I began at last, "I am new here. A little child might have -more experience of your ways and wishes. Yet it becomes apparent that -great service is expected of me, and such a service I would greatly -love to do."</p> - -<p>"Hear! Hear! Wise are the words of Yandro!" Thus went up a new chorus. -I felt reassured, and spoke more confidently.</p> - -<p>"Your Council has explained much. Now I come to the people represented -by that Council. If I am to help, you are to explain how. For the voice -of a people is seldom wrong or foolish."</p> - -<p>"Wise are the words!" They chorused again, and the man with the deep -voice suddenly put up his hand and moved forward. I saw that he -had the armor and weapons of a soldier, and in one hand he held a -cup, from which he had been drinking. He was fairly well knit for a -Dondromogonian, and, though his face was simple, it was manly enough. -He cleared his throat diffidently.</p> - -<p>"We have been told of Yandro's coming, throughout our halls and -dwellings," he began. "That he should ask for our word is an honor. But -since he asks, I make bold to reply—" He choked a little. "Peace!" he -cried hoarsely. "Peace—and comfort—"</p> - -<p>"Peace! Peace!" cried the others around him, and "Peace!" bellowed -hundreds of voices.</p> - -<p>I was a little perplexed. After the war-like talk of the Council, this -was different, and disturbing. But Gederr, beside me was not at a loss.</p> - -<p>"Peace you shall have, as Yandro's gift!" he cried. "The Newcomers—ill -be their fate—have been warned and promised of his coming, and now -they shake in dread! He shall lead you to victory, complete victory, -and the fruits of victory!"</p> - -<p>It was powerfully said, and the cheering was greater than ever. Under -cover of the din, Gederr took my elbow and escorted me from the -platform.</p> - -<p>"They have been despondent, Yandro. They grow unwilling to face death -and wounds. But you have changed all that. Hark to their cries of your -name! Now there shall be no more speaking, only happiness."</p> - -<p>Elonie had joined us again. Her hand dropped warmly over mine. "This -way," she bade. "This wine is for the Council only—the best on -Dondromogon. Honor us by taking some."</p> - -<p>She gave me a goblet, of some transparent substance clasped in bright -metal, and brimming with a red liquor. I took it with a bow, and she -lifted her own goblet. As we drank together, I had another impression -of Doriza's studying, wondering eyes. Did the warrior-woman, appointed -as my military aide, disapprove? But the wine was excellent, and my -spirits rose.</p> - -<p>"Come," said Elonie. Her arm was through mine again, warm and gently -urging. She led me toward a niche, set deep and shadowy into the wall. -There was a divan with cushions, and a table with cups and flagons -for drinking. The music had begun again, and some of the people were -dancing together.</p> - -<p>"Yandro is gracious to grant me these moments alone," purred Elonie. -"Yandro is overwhelming."</p> - -<p>"Can't we drop the third person?" I asked. "I do not feel much taste -for formalities."</p> - -<p>She clutched at that with a little cry of gladness and her eyes and -smile were radiant. "You offer me intimacy!" she exclaimed. "It's -honor—it thrills—" She lifted her glass. "Drink again, I beg you! You -and I shall drink to each other."</p> - -<p>"Why not?" I said, and touched her glass with mine. "To you, Elonie."</p> - -<p>"To you, Yandro, my dear lord!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The wine was galvanizingly strong. I felt my ears ring a little, -and—why not admit it?—Elonie's nearness and adulation were wine -in themselves. She leaned toward me on the divan, so that our bare -shoulders touched. Her lips, full and trembling, were very close.</p> - -<p>"Yandro," she whispered. "Yandro ... you could make me happy, and -yourself happy, too...."</p> - -<p>Suddenly I shook my head a little, to clear it. For her eyes, a moment -ago so fascinating, suddenly made me uneasy. It was as if claws had -reached from their brightness and fastened upon me. She steadfastly -fixed my gaze with hers.</p> - -<p>"Yandro...." Her voice was soft, monotonous. "All is well with you ... -trust us, trust me, Elonie ... I shall guide you to victory, you need -have no qualms...."</p> - -<p>Her arm stole across my chest, curved around my neck. She drew my head -toward hers. Her brilliant eyes seemed to fill the whole field of my -vision, impelling, hypnotic—</p> - -<p><i>Hypnotic—that was it!</i></p> - -<p>The strange half-lost thoughts from my unknown former life sized the -idea and held it up to me. Danger, danger, they were crying at me. Most -ungallantly I took her wrist and disengaged myself from her embrace.</p> - -<p>"Since I am destined for war, is there time for this?" I asked, trying -to laugh.</p> - -<p>"Is there not?" she murmured.</p> - -<p>I rose from where I sat, and sipped more wine. Where it had fuddled -me before, it cleared me now. "Elonie, you are charming. I do not know -whether I have standards by which to judge, but you do things to men. -Perhaps I should have time to make up my own mind."</p> - -<p>"If I have offended—" she began to stammer.</p> - -<p>"Oh, not in the least. But there is so much for me to be sure of."</p> - -<p>She, too, rose, and left me without a word. Had I made her angry? -Yet her last words had been of apology. I sat down again, alone and -mystified.</p> - -<p>But I did not remain alone for more than two minutes. Outside the -niche, Elonie was talking to Gederr. Gederr scowled, nodded, then with -an air of inspiration beckoned to Doriza. Doriza joined them, listened -respectfully to Gederr. Finally she nodded, as if in acceptance of -orders, and walked toward me.</p> - -<p>I rose to meet her. She looked me steadily in the eye, but when she -spoke it was hesitantly, and with a shyness most womanly, too womanly -for a military person.</p> - -<p>"Great Yandro is not pleased with Elonie of the Council. Is it possible -that he would prefer another woman—me?"</p> - -<p>Just like that, she offered herself. And if ever I had made up my mind -in a hurry, it had been to the effect that Doriza was nothing but -reserve and prudence.</p> - -<p>What answer I might be able to give was suddenly unnecessary.</p> - -<p>Just outside the niche angry voices rose. An officer, all fair beard -and flapping cloak, was accosting Gederr with something less than the -respect due a member of the Council.</p> - -<p>"I say, she was promised to me—to me! And to me she goes, for my part -in bringing him to you!"</p> - -<p>"Silence, Rohbar," commanded Gederr in a voice as sharp as a dagger, -but the officer pushed him roughly aside and strode into the niche.</p> - -<p>It was the man who had interviewed me after my first capture. His pale -eyes gave off sparks in the subdued light, and one hand sought the hilt -of his pistol.</p> - -<p>"Yandro, they call you!" he flung out. "Yandro, sent from out of space -and time to Dondromogon! Well, be that true or no, Doriza is not for -you—and deny me if you dare! I'll send you back out of space and -time, with whatever weapon you choose!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">IV</p> - -<p>Rohbar glared, but I could have smiled. Smiled in welcome. He was -extricating me from a most embarrassing position. I faced him and spoke -steadily.</p> - -<p>"My friend, you were rude to me at our first meeting. Now you threaten. -I begin to think you don't like me, and that we'll only be happy -shedding each other's blood."</p> - -<p>"Amen to that!" he snarled. And to Doriza: "Get out, get away from him."</p> - -<p>I moved a step closer, and rapped him on the chest with my knuckles. -"She came to speak courteously to me, and she shall go only if she so -desires." As I spoke, I reflected that she might be worth fighting for, -after all. I turned to her.</p> - -<p>"Doriza, is this true? Do you belong to Rohbar."</p> - -<p>She shook her bright head, and for once her eyes did not meet mine. -I felt a sudden joy and relief, such as Elonie's frank throwing of -herself at my head could not bring.</p> - -<p>But Rohbar had drawn his pistol-weapon. Another moment, and he would -have brought it in line with my chest. But I caught his weapon wrist in -my left hand, and with the heel of my right I whacked him solidly on -his bearded chin. His head bobbed, and a moment later I had twisted the -pistol away from him, throwing it back into the niche. A moment later, -Gederr and several others had hurried in, seizing him. He struggled and -cursed.</p> - -<p>"Put him under arrest!" Gederr bade, and Rohbar ceased struggling. He -drew himself up.</p> - -<p>"So that's it!" he roared. "Do you think you dare treat me thus, -Gederr? I do not care if you're of the Council—I know a secret very -close and very valuable—"</p> - -<p>"Stop his mouth!" Elonie was imploring, and he cursed her, too.</p> - -<p>"It seems," I put in, "that Rohbar makes a practice of rudeness to -women."</p> - -<p>I got smiles from Elonie and Doriza both, and Rohbar fairly blackened -in the face as he strove to pull free and get at me.</p> - -<p>"You!" he choked. "Yandro you call yourself—you're a fraud, a -figurehead, foisted by these scheming, sneaking Council folk—a living -lie!"</p> - -<p>"Let him go," I bade those who held him. "Nobody says 'lie' to me and -goes unpunished."</p> - -<p>There was silence, as far as my voice had reached. Only in the -background did music and pleasant conversation continue. It was Elonie -who spoke first:</p> - -<p>"Yandro, you have privileged me in my speech to you. May I dare point -out that this is dangerous—that Rohbar, long a guard officer, is -skilled in every weapon—"</p> - -<p>"Elonie, you now make it impossible for me to withdraw, without being -thought cowardly," I said. I put my hand to the saber I wore. "Is there -a quiet place apart? Let the two of us fight."</p> - -<p>Rohbar was quiet again, in the hands of his captors. He now spoke, -almost as gently as Elonie: "I have no friends here. The fight might -not be fair."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense," I snapped, and looked past the little group. There was a -face I knew—the man with the deep voice. "You," I hailed him, "come -here."</p> - -<p>He came respectfully, and stood at attention.</p> - -<p>"Who are you?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"Klob is my name, great Yandro. Under-officer of the guard."</p> - -<p>"Klob, do you know Rohbar?"</p> - -<p>"I do, sir."</p> - -<p>"If I, Yandro, ordered you to act as second for a man in a duel, would -you perform the office faithfully?"</p> - -<p>He braced more stiffly to attention. "Though I died for it, sir."</p> - -<p>"You shall not die, but be commended if you do well. Represent Rohbar -in the formal duel he is about to fight."</p> - -<p>"As Yandro commands. And his adversary—the man he will fight?"</p> - -<p>"Me."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Klob was embarrassed, and so were the others. I spoke sharply. "Am -I the one you take for your war leader? Then obey. This man has -threatened me. I have been placed in a position where I must fight or -be thought cowardly. Come into this passageway."</p> - -<p>They followed me. Nobody was in the corridor. I spoke again, and they -released Rohbar. "What weapon?" I asked him.</p> - -<p>"Ray-sabers," he growled, and drew his. A touch of his thumb on the -hilt-stud, and it glowed brilliantly.</p> - -<p>"I shall be second to Yandro, if it pleases him." That was Doriza, my -appointed aide. But I waved her back.</p> - -<p>"Since we fight, partially at least, for you, it is not well that you -take, sides," I reminded. "I need no seconds. If play does not continue -fair, I can change it."</p> - -<p>I drew my own ray-saber. My thumb, seemingly wiser than my blank brain, -touched the stud and the blade pulsed out its heat-rays. Those of the -Council who had come along moved back out of the way. Rohbar and I -touched blades, and the fight was on.</p> - -<p>From the first, it was no contest.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p><i>And then I, Yandro, was upon the officer.</i></p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>Rohbar wore armor, on chest and head, while I fought without. He was in -a cold rage, and I was only puzzled. Despite his lesser height, he had -strangely long arms, that gave him an inch or two of reach beyond mine. -But he was like a child before me. Indeed, I had leisure to observe -myself, to wonder and puzzle over my own skill. I knew this weapon, -that should be strange to me, as if it were born a part of me. Rohbar -slashed and fenced; I parried easily, almost effortlessly. Avoiding an -engagement, I clanged home against his armored flank. He moaned and -swore, for even through that metal protection the heat of the blade -must have hurt him. A moment later I sped a back-hand blow that knocked -his helmet flying. He threw caution to the winds, and charged close. So -sudden was his attack that I was caught almost unawares, and parried -his blade within inches of my own chin. Our blades crossed, close to -the guards, and we stood for a moment looking into each other's eyes at -a bare foot's distance.</p> - -<p>"You ignorant fool!" he spat at me. "To be made a tool, and then to -<i>believe</i>—"</p> - -<p>"Silence, you crawling informer!" bawled Gederr, and his deadly warning -startled Rohbar, who sprang back from me. At the same time I advanced -in my turn, touched his blade as if to engage, then cut under quickly -and came solidly home where the neck and shoulders join.</p> - -<p>The ray-mechanism in my weapon hummed and sang. A great red spark -leaped from the point of contact, and Rohbar, stricken with heat and -current alike, spun around like a top. His saber fell, and he went down -beside it. There was life in him, for he struggled up on an elbow, -turning an agonized face toward me.</p> - -<p>"You haven't forgotten <i>that</i> skill!" he cried, as if charging me with -a crime. "Have you forgotten anything, then? Are you truly here without -memory, or are you a traitor to—"</p> - -<p>Gederr stepped close to him. He leveled a pistol-device, which threw -rays. Rohbar suddenly lacked a head.</p> - -<p>"That was the most merciful thing to do," said Gederr, holstering his -weapon. "Send someone to drag the rest of him away." He faced me. -"Yandro will please accept my admiring congratulations. What better -proof of his great gifts and high destiny than this easy conquest -of one who was judged skilful with the ray-saber." He strode toward -the sound of faint music. "Come, you others. The entertainment has -certainly not been spoiled."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>I switched off my saber's power, and sheathed it. I had just killed a -man, because I felt I had to, but I had no sense of triumph. I walked -at the rear of the group, Doriza moving respectfully beside me.</p> - -<p>"Doriza," I said, "he tried to tell me something. What?"</p> - -<p>She shook her head. "I did not know Rohbar's mind."</p> - -<p>"Yet he felt close to you. Wanted to fight to keep you from me. That's -another thing. Why did you ask me if I wanted you?"</p> - -<p>She smiled a little, with a certain shy humor. "Do not all things on -Dondromogon belong to Yandro?"</p> - -<p>I smiled back. "Doriza, perhaps I should act complimented. Yet it seems -to me that Gederr and Elonie told you to make the offer. And I'm not -sure—I can say this to my personal aide, can't I?—that I want any -favors at their hands."</p> - -<p>"Or at mine?" And she smiled again.</p> - -<p>"Come off it, Doriza, you're not the best of flirts. Shall we take a -drink together? It wasn't pleasant, killing that man, though you don't -seem to mourn him."</p> - -<p>Back in the great chamber, a sort of cloud of light was thrown in -the center by several reflectors, and a sort of motion picture show -was going on in the midst of it. I drank much, but the wine did not -affect me greatly. Finally I felt tired, and said so. Gederr and Doriza -escorted me to sumptuous apartments, where I quickly slept.</p> - -<p>I do not know how many hours I lay asleep, but I woke refreshed. A -breakfast of strange synthetic foods was waiting, on a lift that rode -up in a slot of the wall. I ate with relish, took a brisk shower in a -room behind my sleeping quarters, and resumed the costume of Yandro. -Then came a buzz at the door, and a voice came through a speaker -system: "Gederr requests that Yandro admit him."</p> - -<p>I opened the door. Gederr was there, and Doriza behind him. I felt the -gaze of her blue eyes, very soft and pretty. Gederr smiled respectfully.</p> - -<p>"We have talked much about the duel, we of the Council. It is agreed -that great Yandro's value is more than inspirational. If a single -combat could be arranged, with some champion of the Newcomers, ill be -their fate! Some boasting successor to Barak—"</p> - -<p>"Barak," I repeated and wondered again why his name stuck so in my -fogged mind. "I—I do not know how to say it, but I seek no quarrel -with Barak. I do not fear him, or anyone else; but I do not wish to -fight him."</p> - -<p>"Barak is dead," snapped Gederr, quite ungraciously. "Yandro need have -no apprehensions."</p> - -<p>"I have said I fear nobody," I reminded, stiff and lofty.</p> - -<p>Gederr bowed. "Who could doubt it? But to return to our talk of battle; -at the South Pole an inner blaze of flame from within Dondromogon has -kept opposing forces from contacting each other. Only here at the -North Pole can we fight, and there has been a lull since—since the -destruction of their champion, Barak. We have taken advantage to hollow -out a great pocket underground. See, I will show you."</p> - -<p>He went to a little televiso screen, and switched on the power, then -dialed. I saw a great domed cavern, larger than the hemisphere room -of last night's recreation period. Around its edges toiled men with -ray-batons, shaping and enlarging.</p> - -<p>"Elsewhere we have set up cunning defenses," explained Gederr. "Great -force-fields, that interfere with their digging advance. But at one -point we have purposely allowed their advance tunnels to come along -easily. What you see here is behind that point. We fall back—"</p> - -<p>"Fall back?" I repeated.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Gederr winked. "Their forces will follow, and fill this chamber. -Beyond, we have entrenchments, sortie tunnels, weapons. And the -floor of the chamber is mined—enough explosive even to wreck those -power-shields. Their van, with its heavy equipment, will perish. We'll -wipe out the others easily!"</p> - -<p>"How many?" ventured Doriza.</p> - -<p>"Who can say?" Gederr responded. "They are many, but most of them must -work to sustain life and action in the section of Dondromogon they have -seized. They have not the sunken cities, the synthesizing advances, the -other time-seasoned devices for living that we have developed. Several -hundred fighting men, not many more than ours, are all that can be sent -against us."</p> - -<p>"Are they brave?" I demanded.</p> - -<p>"They have stubborn courage. They will rush after their comrades who -fall. Perhaps if we capture a few, they will try a rescue. It will -bring them to defeat—us to glory!"</p> - -<p>His voice rose in exultation, and I chose to disagree.</p> - -<p>"Not glory, Gederr. We can claim cunning for such a plan—yes. The -pride of successful ambush and deceit—yes. But there is hardly any -glory in trickery. Not as I see it, anyway."</p> - -<p>He bowed again. "Great Yandro is bravest of the brave, but his thoughts -are those of the First Comers, ages ago. He does not understand modern -sophistication and practicality."</p> - -<p>"I understand the practicality," I assured him, "but I don't glory -in it. A fair combat, like the one last night with Rohbar, is like a -game—grim, but like a game. Not so these strategems and pitfalls, -which are only an unpleasant job to be done."</p> - -<p>"The strategems need not affect Yandro," stated Gederr. "As for a -simple single combat, I say that will be arranged. We broadcast, -Yandro will remember, a warning and a challenge. The enemy has sent -back a message that they are making ready a fighter to face anyone we -can furnish."</p> - -<p>"I see," said I. "Well, they speak my language." Both Doriza and -Gederr started violently, and stared. "Probably they are simple of -battle-viewpoint, like me. They'll blunder easily into your trap." I -said those last two words to assure Gederr that I considered the whole -deception his. "Now, when is all this to happen?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps within twenty hours. Perhaps within thirty."</p> - -<p>"I feel like a puppet," I said. "Like the figurehead poor Rohbar -called me. Perhaps I am, and perhaps it is as well, because I'm not -in tune with your strategy. Understand me, I see its need and its -practicability. That is all I see, though."</p> - -<p>"Will Yandro walk forth?" asked Doriza. "There are troops waiting to be -reviewed."</p> - -<p>We went into a corridor, and entered one of the purring vehicles. It -took us away—toward the fighting sector, I judged—and I dismounted in -a great low stretch of subterranean cavern. This was lighted by great -glowing bulbs hung to the ceiling, and men were drawn up in triple -rows, armed and at attention. An officer was speaking to them, and -toward one side stood the two unarmed men, under guard.</p> - -<p>"Not yet, mighty Yandro," counselled Doriza beside me. "There is—a -ceremony."</p> - -<p>I could hear the officer speaking, though not clearly:</p> - -<p>"In this moment, the eve of certain triumph over the enemy, two men see -fit to circulate lies that calculate to dismay and destroy our plans. -For them is only one fate, as judged by the Council. Attention to that -fate!"</p> - -<p>The two unarmed men were marched forward. I stared and scowled.</p> - -<p>"I've seen them before," I said to Doriza. "The broad face of one—the -figure of the other! Aren't they—"</p> - -<p>"Yes!" Doriza said tonelessly.</p> - -<p>The officer lifted his hand, with a disintegrator pistol in it. Pale -green rays leaped. The two familiar figures gyrated, great parts of -them vanished. They fell, and two men carried the bodies away.</p> - -<p>"They were the two guards I first met!" I cried.</p> - -<p>"Yes," she agreed softly. "Men who served under Rohbar, and who spoke -rebelliously because Yandro killed him. They said that Yandro was not -Yandro."</p> - -<p>I smiled ruefully. "From the first they didn't seem to believe that. -Nor did Rohbar. Nor did you, until Sporr identified me." I looked into -her blue eyes, calculatingly. "It comes to mind, Doriza, that of all -who doubted me you are the only one left alive."</p> - -<p>"I, too, have thought that," she said, and her voice was quiet but not -frightened. "Perhaps my turn is next."</p> - -<p>I shook my head. "I seem to have power on Dondromogon, and I will not -let you be destroyed without more warrant than I see now."</p> - -<p>"Yandro is kind," she said.</p> - -<p>"And Doriza is attractive," I rejoined. "Well, that unpleasant little -formality seems to be at an end. Shall we inspect the troops?"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>So saying, I moved forward. The officer in charge saluted and -accompanied me on my inspection. The first two ranks of soldiers were -men of various builds and feature, solemn-looking fellows for the most -part. The first rank was headed by Klob, whom I had named for Rohbar's -second last night. I was struck by the efficient air of their armor and -equipment, as contrasted with their almost frail physiques. Again I -thought, the stock of Dondromogon's natives must be running down.</p> - -<p>The third rank was women.</p> - -<p>They, too, wore armor, and bore weapons and tools, but I judged that -they were more of a reserve than a first fighting force. More thoughts -coursed through my head—if my earlier memories were departed, they -left the more room for recent happenings and speeches. The Council had -insisted that it was necessary to keep the population of Dondromogon -small, for the sake of good living. Yet it seemed false reasoning if -even women must be armed for battle. And the women, on the whole, were -better specimens than the men. They were not large—none anywhere near -as tall as Elonie or as compactly vigorous as Doriza—but seemed -healthy and intelligent for the most part, and some were even handsome. -One or two gave me an appraising, admiring look, such as soldiers -should not give frankly to commanders.</p> - -<p>I concluded the inspection, and returned to a position in front of the -force. "At ease," I bade them. "I have words to say.</p> - -<p>"Some, at least, must have seen me last night at the recreation hour. I -spoke then as to the general population of Dondromogon. Now I speak to -you specifically, as soldiers facing battle duty. Your commanders think -that the time is at hand for a victorious termination of the war with -those strangers you call the Newcomers."</p> - -<p>I paused, and watched the expressions of my listeners. At the phrase, -"termination of the war," some of them positively yearned. As Gederr -had admitted, the commoners of Dondromogon wanted no more fighting. -Perhaps my coming was indeed by providence, to bring peace. A better -peace, I now decided, than they had ever known.</p> - -<p>"When the war is over," I went on, "I propose to lead you still. Since -I am accepted as a leader, I have a right to do that. It seems that -your health and happiness will be bettered if, in some way, we achieve -a new conquest—conquest of the outdoors. There may be storms, but -there are also natural sunlight and fresh air. Yes, and perhaps fresh -natural foods, that will strengthen you more than synthetics. Does that -appeal to you?"</p> - -<p>Plainly it did.</p> - -<p>"As to the Newcomers, I do not know them. Yet it seems that, with the -fighting ended, some friendly agreement may be reached. If they do -not harm us, they may help us. That will follow victory. I feel thus -assured. That is all I have to say." I faced the officer in charge. -"Take over."</p> - -<p>Doriza and I walked away, back to our vehicle. "Where now?" I asked.</p> - -<p>For answer, she pointed to a white oblong on the inner wall of the -vehicle. It was a little screen, on which figures appeared. "Gederr -requests that we return to him. He feels that we may be too close to -possible violent action, and he is not yet ready that Yandro risk -himself."</p> - -<p>We rolled back toward the main passages of the community, and -eventually to an office, where Gederr was in close, muttered -conversation with Sporr and Elonie. They greeted my entrance in various -ways—Sporr with a senile smirk that he hoped was ingratiating, Elonie -with a most inviting smile, Gederr with blank embarrassment. Gederr -bowed and gestured toward an inner door. "Will Yandro pleasure me with -a private conference?"</p> - -<p>I bowed in turn, and followed him in.</p> - -<p>"I heard Yandro's words to the troops, by speaker system," he began -silkily. "Eloquent and inspiring—but Yandro must realize some salient -facts."</p> - -<p>"Such as?" I prompted.</p> - -<p>"The talk of friendly agreement with the Newcomers—ill be their fate! -They must be wiped clean off of Dondromogon."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps," I agreed, and he smiled.</p> - -<p>"I am honored that Yandro agrees so quickly—"</p> - -<p>"I said, perhaps. Because I do not know the Newcomers as yet. It may -be that they deserve death to the last man. But they may also deserve -honorable treatment, alliance even."</p> - -<p>He opened his mouth to speak again, but interruption came from outside. -Sounds of struggle, and the cry of Doriza:</p> - -<p>"Help me—help!"</p> - -<p>I bounded to the door and tore it open, injuring the automatic lock. An -officer stood in the outer office, and two soldiers had Doriza by the -wrists. I made a lunge, knocked one of them spinning against a wall. -"What is this?" I roared. "She is my aide."</p> - -<p>"Her arrest has been commanded," spoke up Elonie in a sullen voice.</p> - -<p>"Who commanded it? I countermand it!" I faced the roomful of protesting -faces. "You call me Yandro, your leader from divine source. Let me say -that nothing will happen to Doriza except by my will."</p> - -<p>Gederr spoke from the inner doorway: "Great Yandro speaks in riddles. I -had thought that he had no attachment for Doriza."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you tried to make me a gift of her last night," I exploded, "but -that has nothing to do with the present case. Doriza lives. She remains -free. Understand?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps," mused Sporr, as if to himself. "There have been -accidents...."</p> - -<p>"Come," I said to Doriza. "To my quarters." I faced the others again. -"Danger to her shall be answered by me. Is it understood?"</p> - -<p>We rode silently in the vehicle, and came to the rooms set aside for -me. Once inside, I made sure that speaking tubes and televiso were -turned off. Then:</p> - -<p>"Doriza! There are things I do not know. Tell them to me."</p> - -<p>She hung her head. "They would have seen me dead, like the others, to -shut my mouth."</p> - -<p>"And I saved you. Now speak. All I seem to find familiar is the name of -Barak."</p> - -<p>She looked up again. "You remember the name?"</p> - -<p>"Faintly. Vaguely. But what is happening just beyond my knowledge?"</p> - -<p>She caught me by the forearm, her small, strong hands gripped like -vises.</p> - -<p>"I'll tell you! Tell you everything! Those devils of the Council have -long exploited and drained Dondromogon—with lies about the First -Comers, and the exclusive use of science! The Newcomers are to be -trapped through you, the natives deluded through you! But you—you are -to die when your usefulness is through!"</p> - -<p>"They'd do that?" I demanded. "After they name me as Yandro, their -legendary hero?"</p> - -<p>"That's part of the great lie!" And Doriza was sobbing. "You aren't -Yandro—you're <i>Barak of the Newcomers</i>!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">V</p> - -<p>I stared at her, astounded, shocked—and suddenly remembering things.</p> - -<p>"Barak," I repeated foolishly. "Barak. Yes, I <i>am</i> Barak. I—how did I -get here? Things are still so shadowy—but I'm beginning to recollect—"</p> - -<p>"Try," she begged. "Try hard. It's the only way you can save yourself. -Let me remind you; this world called Dondromogon was settled long ago -by adventurers. For centuries their descendants built up a luxurious -way of living. Messages filtered back to the old home planet—Earth, in -the Solar System—"</p> - -<p>"I remember that much," I told her. "Something about a group of chiefs -growing fat on the labor of the community, and killing those who -threatened to rival them?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Calling those deaths necessary for the good of the race, but -preserving really the soft and easily ruled of the race. And an -expedition was sent, to point out that Dondromogon really was a colony -of Mother Earth. Gederr received the Newcomers with false welcome, and -tried to have them assassinated. But reinforcements arrived, and the -war goes on—"</p> - -<p>Again I did not let her finish. "And Gederr has been deceiving his -followers, by the line of talk I heard from him! That the Newcomers -are not rescuers or dealers of justice, but invaders and destroyers! I -remember that, too!"</p> - -<p>"Do you remember yourself?" she demanded. "Barak, the wonder warrior, -who met the enemy by twos and threes, and conquered them like flies, -like puffs of wind? Barak, mighty in battle, who offered to fight the -whole Council of Dondromogon single-handed? Who led one digging assault -after another, and who fell only to a stupid trick?"</p> - -<p>"I don't remember that last," I confessed. "It is in my mind that I was -somewhat rash, and had skill and luck enough to live in spite of my -rashness, through several combats."</p> - -<p>"No time for modesty!" she chided me, and smiled despite the -desperation of our plight. "You were a natural engine of warfare, -Barak. And once you pursued your retreating adversaries far—too -far—until it was Gederr himself who squirted anaesthetic gas upon you -and felled you, senseless. Then they gathered around you, like carrion -feeders, that whole Council, to see how they could profit best. And -Gederr and Elonie, with Sporr's help, made the decision."</p> - -<p>Her eyes held mine earnestly. "As you began to revive, with your wits -still unguarded and baffled, Sporr and Elonie hypnotized you. They both -know how to do that—"</p> - -<p>"I fought off Elonie's hypnotism last night," I remembered.</p> - -<p>"Because your knowledge of its danger remained in your subconscious. -After that, you were placed outside—naked, without memory or -knowledge. And a speaking device brought what would sound like a -cosmic voice of destiny. After that, all was prepared to draw you into -their plot as a tool."</p> - -<p>I groaned. It had been as simple and raw as all that. "But the legend -of Yandro?" I asked.</p> - -<p>She waved it aside. "Someone named Yandro did exist, in the old days -when Dondromogon was not Council-ridden. When he died, it was suggested -that he would return again in time of need. Many a time did Gederr -inspire some better-than-ordinary fighting man to face you, Barak, by -telling him that the soul of Yandro had wakened in him. But when you -fell into their hands and they decided to use you, they twisted the -legend to suit your coming—even with a picture and your own thumb -print to help convince you." She sighed. "Very few had seen your -capture. Only Rohbar and the two guards you saw die would recognize -you. Those three men, and myself, were in the farce."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"You!" I said, and gazed at her. That lost former life was creeping -back, like a dream becoming plain and fusing into reality.</p> - -<p>"You, Doriza! I—remember you—"</p> - -<p>"You should," she murmured, pink-cheeked. "We used to say kind things -to each other. With the Newcomers—remember?"</p> - -<p>"You were one of us—a year ago! A technician in the synthetics -department! But you vanished—and now you're here! Why?"</p> - -<p>"I—I—oh, don't ask me that!"</p> - -<p>I clutched her elbow, so fiercely that she whimpered. "Did you turn -traitor? Answer me, Doriza!"</p> - -<p>"You hurt me—don't—Barak, before you call me a traitor, answer this. -Are you wholly for destruction of this people of Dondromogon? Haven't -you changed?"</p> - -<p>"Why—why—" And I paused. "I want to crush the Council, but the -people—"</p> - -<p>"Barak, I want to help them, too! The people—and you, Barak!" She -looked at me beseechingly. "Can't you trust me?"</p> - -<p>My heart flopped over and over, like a falling leaf, but I could not -steel myself against her. "You were sweet once, Doriza, though you went -away from me." As if by long practice, my arm encircled her.</p> - -<p>"Believe me, I'm not a traitor," she whispered against my shoulder. "I -want to save you—and others—and myself—"</p> - -<p>I shook my head. "They want to kill you. They shan't. Let's defend -ourselves."</p> - -<p>For answer, she pointed to the door. A quiet humming sounded. I saw -that a panel bulged and vibrated.</p> - -<p>"Disintegrator," she whispered in my ear.</p> - -<p>I thrust her into a corner and moved close to the door-jamb. A moment -later the rayed panel fell away in flakes, and a man stepped through, -the officer who had tried to arrest Doriza.</p> - -<p>I clutched the wrist of the hand that held his disintegrator pistol, -and almost tore his head off with an uppercut. He went down, and -Doriza caught up his weapon as it fell. There was a spatter of sparks -as someone fired through the hole with electro-automatic pellets, but -already Doriza was using the ray to knock a lock from a door beyond.</p> - -<p>"One side," I heard Gederr growl from the corridor. "I have a -disintegrator, too. I'll open a hole too big for him to defend!"</p> - -<p>But we had hurried through the door Doriza opened. Beyond was a -vehicle, the same that had carried us earlier in the day. "In," she -said, took the controls.</p> - -<p>We rumbled away, not daring to speed and thus attract too much -attention. Doriza drove us toward the point where conflict was being -centered, and at a deserted stretch of the tunnelway braked us to a -halt.</p> - -<p>"We must know what they're doing about us," she said, and began to tune -the televiso apparatus.</p> - -<p>Figures leaped into view on the screen. I stared. Members of the -Council—I recognized them—were marshalled against a wall, as if for a -firing squad. And a firing squad faced them. Someone lifted a hand as -a signal. The line of soldiers lifted their electro-automatics. I saw -the play of sparks, heard the whip and thud of pellets. A form fell, -another, another.</p> - -<p>"They're rebelling!" I cried. "Overthrowing the Council! Somehow," and -my heart sang wildly, "they know the truth!"</p> - -<p>But Doriza put her hand on mine, and it trembled. "No, Barak. Watch."</p> - -<p>One of the riddled forms floundered and tried to rise. Elonie, no -longer lovely, but an agonized and gory victim. Someone stepped forward -and cooly shot her through the head. It was Gederr.</p> - -<p>He faced forward. They brought broadcasting equipment to him, and he -suddenly grew huge on the screen.</p> - -<p>"Attention," he bawled, "all true people of Dondromogon! We do not -hesitate to kill traitors, even the highest of rank! Those false folk -who made up the Council—they have died!"</p> - -<p>He paused, glared, and swallowed. "I, Gederr, have discovered their -plot! They foisted off upon us a man of the Newcomers as Yandro—caused -us to accept him as a hero, when he was only the tool of their plan to -betray and sell us!"</p> - -<p>A cheer came from somewhere, and he went on.</p> - -<p>"They are dead! I remain to lead and protect you! And my command is, -find the false spy we accepted as Yandro! Search for him, find him and -kill him!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Doriza and I looked at each other. "Where now?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"Toward the battle zones," I replied. She closed a circuit and steered -us away.</p> - -<p>The main corridor was almost deserted—apparently non-combatants had -been cleared out in anticipation of the battle. Again the speaker began -to yammer, Gederr speaking again:</p> - -<p>"All defenses on alert! Watch for this man, falsely called Yandro—very -tall, strongly made, dark, young, scar on chin. He wears a red cloak. -With him is a woman of medium height, young, light brown hair, blue -eyes, more robust than common—"</p> - -<p>"Not flattering, are they?" Doriza said, and smiled.</p> - -<p>Up ahead, two guards gestured and bawled. One pressed a wall-button, -and a folding barrier crept across our way. "Vehicles out of running," -said a guard as we slowed up.</p> - -<p>"We're on the trail of those spies!" I yelled from the dark interior. -"Get that barrier out of our way!"</p> - -<p>They hesitated, and Doriza threw in the speed-ahead lever. We smashed -through and away. Cries rang in our wake, and slugs struck the rear of -the vehicle. Two burned clear through the metal. I opened a panel to -kick them out, and they scorched my foot, clear through the stout shoe -sole.</p> - -<p>"We must abandon this car, it's marked." Doriza was cutting speed. -"Let's jump, here in the shadows."</p> - -<p>I jumped through the open panel, and managed to stay on my feet, -catching and helping Doriza as she jumped after me. The car hummed -onward, and smashed loudly into the wall beyond. Guards ran into view -from a doorway, chattering loudly.</p> - -<p>Every back was toward us. We stole forward, and into the guardroom they -had abandoned. I saw dials and mechanism of both televiso and speaker -system. A couple of twists and pulls, and I had them out of commission.</p> - -<p>"Slovenly discipline," I growled. "They should have left at least one -man in charge."</p> - -<p>Dropping the telltale red cloak Doriza had given me—how long ago? -Yesterday?—I caught up instead a blue military cape, the property -of some officer. There was also an ornate helmet, which I jammed on -my head. "Stoop," Doriza counseled. "You're taller than any man on -Dondromogon. Now, maybe you'll get away with—whatever you're getting -away with."</p> - -<p>Emerging, I strode toward the wreck. A man saw my cape and helmet of -authority. "Attention!" he called, and they stiffened respectfully.</p> - -<p>"How close is the point of contact with the enemy?" I demanded with -official brusqueness.</p> - -<p>One pointed the way. "Not far, sir. We're the last message-relay -station. Everything's in order, and—"</p> - -<p>"Thanks," I said, and beckoned Doriza. We walked past. I wondered what -I could have done if these men had paused to think I might be the -culprit for whom Gederr was clamoring.</p> - -<p>Up ahead was a cross-tunnel, and beyond that a fork. We heard men -talking and moving in the distance. Doriza pointed to an inscribed door.</p> - -<p>"The way to the works below. I've seen it on the televiso. The mined -floor of the main chamber has a second cavern below."</p> - -<p>I scowled. "As I remember, Gederr said he had blocked all advance -tunnels of the Newcomers, except at one spot. What kind of explosives -will he use?"</p> - -<p>"Glare-rays," said Doriza. "You wouldn't know, Barak, the Newcomers -haven't any such. It's a special vibration-speed that sets atoms at -a pitch ready to fly violently apart. Anything it involves can be -exploded at the first touch of fire."</p> - -<p>"Anything?" I repeated. "Weapons, men, earth? Doriza, can you operate -such a ray?"</p> - -<p>"I think I can."</p> - -<p>"Then come," and I pushed open the panel.</p> - -<p>The elevator cage was waiting, and its operation not hard to study out. -Quickly we sped down and stepped forth into another great chamber, -bright and echoing. A sentry confronted us.</p> - -<p>"Your pass?" he demanded.</p> - -<p>I chose to bluster it out. "What kind of idling goes on here?" I -snapped at him. "I'm from the Council, to see if the report is -true—that you haven't made all ready for the ambush."</p> - -<p>"But we have," he protested.</p> - -<p>"You give me arguments, you insolent upstart? Where's your commander?" -I turned to face an officer that hurried up. "This sentry needs to be -disciplined, taught respect for his superiors," I scolded. "What have -you to say, sir, about the laxity and slowness of work here?"</p> - -<p>"But we're ready and more than ready," the officer assured me. "Look, -sir," and he pointed. "This whole cavern is dug out to completion, the -overhead roof thinned for the explosion. See the play of glares upon -it."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>I looked, and nodded as if in sour agreement. The earth floor was a -maze of cables and coils, and here and there, strategically placed, -were little wheeled stands with mechanisms atop. From each of these -beat upward a cone of glaring golden light against the rough ceiling. -It blinded me to look at them.</p> - -<p>"The glares," Doriza murmured.</p> - -<p>I gazed at the men on duty. "Is nobody armed? What if the Newcomers get -in here?"</p> - -<p>The officer shook his head. "You know that weapons would be our own -destruction. Electro-automatics, disintegrators, ray-sabers—they all -give off flame. And a touch of flame in any one of these glare-fields -would explode the whole chamber, and the solid soil around it, into -atoms."</p> - -<p>I glanced toward the far end. "Up yonder I see no glares."</p> - -<p>"Of course not. Beyond and above is the point that coincides with -the narrow approach left for the Newcomers." The officer studied me -narrowly. "If you are from the Council, why are you ignorant of all -these things?"</p> - -<p>It would be a difficult question to answer plausibly, but I was spared -the task. Someone hurried from a little televiso shack and saluted the -officer.</p> - -<p>"Orders, sir. Important. We're to withdraw immediately. The Newcomers -are advancing, and the forces above will take over operation."</p> - -<p>"Of course," the officer said, and turned from me to shout commands. -Men began to hurry away past us, toward the elevator, eager to quit the -post of danger.</p> - -<p>"Come, Doriza," I said softly, and she followed me along a wall. -"Here's one of those explosion mechanisms. If we can bring it between -us—"</p> - -<p>She did something to turn it off, and we trundled it along on its -wheels. I pointed to the spot above which the entry-point was said to -be, and toward it we went, unchallenged and unnoticed. We reached the -earthy far wall, and it was steep, but with the point of my ray-saber -I dug pits for hands and toes. Up I scrambled to the ceiling. There I -paused, hanging like a bat.</p> - -<p>"Disintegrator," I called down to her.</p> - -<p>"Dare we?"</p> - -<p>"We must dare!"</p> - -<p>She tossed me the disintegrator pistol. I turned it on and fate favored -me once again. No explosion occurred. I tunnelled upward, upward, and -climbed up the slanting chimney-like tunnel I made. Moments later, I -broke into open air above.</p> - -<p>I was in a necklike passage. Lying flat, I looked each way. To one hand -was a great cavern, the ambush-space, in which Dondromogon's warriors -were cautiously ranging themselves. Opposite was a wide tunnel, empty -as yet—a work of the Newcomers, into which this passage had been -invitingly opened by the defenders. I was not observed as, rising to -my knees, I tore my cape into strips and knotted them into a line.</p> - -<p>I lowered it. "Fasten on the glare-ray," I told Doriza, and when she -had done so I drew it up. After it climbed Doriza herself.</p> - -<p>"Now what?" she demanded. "I haven't had time to ask."</p> - -<p>"Turn on the glare. Like that, yes—set it against one wall, and let it -fall on the opposite, to fill this little passageway through which they -must pass to fight each other."</p> - -<p>The golden glow sprang into being. At the same moment a shout rose from -the direction of the corridor. A patrol of Newcomers appeared, and -others behind.</p> - -<p>I sprang erect.</p> - -<p>"Attention, all!" I roared at the top of my lungs. "Fire no shots, send -no rays, or you will all perish in the explosion! You came to fight, -exterminate! But I—I, Barak, the foremost fighter on this planet—am -here to see that it does not happen!"</p> - -<p>And I drew the saber at my side.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">VI</p> - -<p>I struck a pose as I stood there. I hoped that a grim and heroic -attitude might give them pause.</p> - -<p>"It's Barak!" said an officer at the forefront of the Newcomers.</p> - -<p>"Barak!" echoed a warrior of Dondromogon. I heard a rattle and clink of -weapons.</p> - -<p>"Remember," I made haste to call out, "a bullet or ray will tear this -place—and both forces—to bits! I'll perish, and so will every man on -either side, as far as the explosion reaches!"</p> - -<p>The Newcomers were only a trifle mystified, but the Dondromogon party, -which knew what was beneath us, wavered. Those in the front rank -appeared to give back a little. The Newcomers saw this beyond me, and -made to move forward. Their officer, he who had recognized me, gestured -outward with his arms to make some sort of battle formation. "Rush -through," he said, "and fight it out in the clear beyond."</p> - -<p>"Come on if you dare!" blared an officer of Dondromogon.</p> - -<p>"Let nobody dare," I said, "unless he thinks he can fight his way past -me."</p> - -<p>The Newcomers paused in turn. "Barak," said the officer, "don't you -know us? Don't you know me?"</p> - -<p>I did know him, now that he spoke again. "You're Harvison, aren't you?" -I hailed him. "Don't be the first I must kill." I wheeled around. "My -challenge isn't to the Newcomers alone. I said, nobody shall pass -through. My sword, if not my voice, will stop this war, here and now."</p> - -<p>I heard a laugh, deep and familiar. Gederr had come among his troops.</p> - -<p>"That's logic for you!" he mocked me. "Barak was always a man of blood! -He'll kill us all to stop this slaughter. Someone finish him."</p> - -<p>One of his lieutenants spoke to two of the foremost men, who stepped -forward, rifles at the ready.</p> - -<p>"If they shoot—" began Doriza tremulously.</p> - -<p>"If they do, they destroy everyone!" I reminded yet again. "Come, who -dares. Swords if you will, but no fire!"</p> - -<p>The officer who had given the order stepped between the two soldiers, -saber drawn. "Ready to rush," he said. "My blade, your butts—"</p> - -<p>They approached, side by side. Their faces were set, grim. They -faltered for only a moment at the entry to the glare field.</p> - -<p>In that moment I rushed them.</p> - -<p>They hadn't expected that, three against one. I shouted, and hurled -myself at the soldier on the left. He made to dodge, and the officer -opposed his own saber; but I spun away from it and before the other -soldier knew my mind I was upon him. I could not use the ray in my -blade, but it drove past his hastily lifted gun-barrel and struck his -mailed shoulder so heavily that he dropped his weapon. Stepping in -close, I uppercut him with the curved hilt as with a mailed fist.</p> - -<p>Leaping over his falling form, I was upon the officer. A single twist, -and I had his saber in my left hand. Two blows sent him staggering -back. I parried a blow from the rifle-stock of the remaining soldier -with my left-hand blade, while with my right I stabbed him in the side. -He, too, retreated, clutching his wound. I waved my blood-streaming -weapons.</p> - -<p>"Who next?" I called.</p> - -<p>Harvison made stout reply:</p> - -<p>"You're mad, Barak. I know I'm no match for you, nobody is—but here I -come!"</p> - -<p>He came, and his fellows. They all tried to crowd at once into that -narrow corridor, and hampered each other. I had a mighty sweep with -both my swords, spanning twelve full feet with them—enough for my -purpose. At my first parry I turned aside three points at once, -disengaged, and got home on poor Harvison, through the shoulder. He -sank to one knee, and further impeded his friends. I made a sweeping -cut with both blades, and despite themselves they gave back.</p> - -<p>"This is monotonous," I taunted them. "Make it exciting."</p> - -<p>"Rush at his back," I heard Gederr yelling.</p> - -<p>"Careful!" Doriza warned me. And then another voice I knew, deep and -stout:</p> - -<p>"I won't let them! Yandro, or Barak, or whoever you are—I'm with you!"</p> - -<p>"Klob!" I yelled joyously over my shoulder. "I should have known I -could count on you!"</p> - -<p>He had rushed, facing about at my very shoulder-blades. I heard the -snick of his blade against another weapon. Doriza again cried a -warning, to Klob this time, and he scored on his adversary, for he -snorted triumphantly. Then the Newcomers surged at me again.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>I could not kill my own people. I strove to wound only. Three staggered -back, out of the fight, but the others pressed me bravely. Both my -swords must be everywhere at once. My breath began to come quickly, my -mind floundered here and there for new stratagems. The saving answer -came, not from my own brain, but from Klob.</p> - -<p>"You!" I heard him address a new adversary. "You want to kill me? -Truly?"</p> - -<p>"Why—" panted the other. "Why, no—Klob—why kill—"</p> - -<p>"You were my friend!" Klob harangued him. "Turn here with me! A chance -for an end of war! Will you—won't you? If not, defend yourself, and I -could always fence better—"</p> - -<p>"I'm with you, Klob," the other agreed, rather sullenly. And then he -stood by Klob.</p> - -<p>At that moment I beat the biggest of my own adversaries to his knees, -and the others stood off. I stole a quick glance around. Klob had been -joined by his late opponent, a short but well-knit warrior armed with -both sword and rifle. It gave me hope and an inspiration.</p> - -<p>"Fools!" I said, pointing my swords. "You won't trust me, when I only -want to help you, and these other fools who have been fighting you! You -can't conquer me! So join me!"</p> - -<p>"Why?"</p> - -<p>That was Harvison, again on his feet, holding a bloody hand to his -wound. The query was enough to slow up the others. They listened, and I -had time and wit to reply.</p> - -<p>"A handful of rulers, with blind ambition, caused the war. They're -mostly gone. I want peace, a chance to bring both sides together."</p> - -<p>"Stop his traitor mouth!" cried someone far back.</p> - -<p>"Who's afraid to hear?" I yelled. "You almost walked into a trap, and I -stopped you. These defenders have mined the cavern beyond—"</p> - -<p>"He tells the truth, you Newcomers!" Klob seconded me. "If you can't -understand truth and tell it from lies—<i>look out</i>, they come!"</p> - -<p>He meant his own late comrades. Gederr had urged a fresh body at us.</p> - -<p>"Quick!" I cried. "They heard me tell of their ambush, they want to -silence me! Won't anyone help!"</p> - -<p>"I will," gurgled Harvison, wounded as he was. He stepped past me, -sword in his left hand, and engaged a Dondromogon warrior. Another big -Newcomer leaped forward to do likewise. I seized my opportunity.</p> - -<p>"Don't move without my order!" I addressed the remainder of Harvison's -party, as if they were my allies again. "These defenders have the -advantage of you in their planted explosives!"</p> - -<p>"Then destroy them some other way," growled an under-officer.</p> - -<p>I whirled toward the Dondromogon front. The attackers fell back.</p> - -<p>"You still scare any man you look at, Barak," said Harvison. He was a -little tottery from loss of blood, but game. "Well, shall we charge?" -He managed a grin.</p> - -<p>"I've been trying to keep you from doing that," I groaned. "I don't -want tragedy here and extermination afterward. Can't this world stand -peace—"</p> - -<p>"If you can do it," someone said behind me, "I give you full authority."</p> - -<p>I knew him. He was Dr. Thorald—high in the Newcomer command. With him -were the other leaders, Parkeson and Captain Cross.</p> - -<p>"Danger!" I gasped at them. "Don't come through here. Doriza, see that -they do not—" I looked for her. She was not there.</p> - -<p>"She slipped away while we fought," said Klob. "First setting the -glare-lamp to run—"</p> - -<p>My heart sank. "Which way did she go? Toward the Newcomers, or toward -Dondromogon?"</p> - -<p>"Toward Dondromogon," he said, and my heart sank the rest of the way.</p> - -<p>She had decided to betray me after all.</p> - -<p>"Wait here, all," I commanded, and moved clear of the glare-field. -Moved straight toward the host of Dondromogon.</p> - -<p>Gederr laughed again. I could read his thoughts. He had clinched his -own power by judicious murders. Now he thought I was in his hands. -"Shoot him down," he bade.</p> - -<p>"Let no man shoot," I warned. "A pellet flying past me will strike and -set off the glare-field. It's still swords, and in the open we can use -their rays."</p> - -<p>I flicked on my own. The blade glowed like hot iron.</p> - -<p>"Come and fight," I invited. "All of you. Or withdraw and explode this -trap on me alone."</p> - -<p>"He's tired of life," snarled Gederr, hidden in the ranks.</p> - -<p>"I'm tired of this fighting," was my reply. "If I die alone, the -Newcomer force remains intact. It can move upon you and force you to -peace. Men of Dondromogon, overthrow this coward tyrant Gederr, who -defends his pride and power with your bodies!"</p> - -<p>I think they indicated that they knew the truth of that, and Gederr -knew it, too. At any rate, he moved boldly to reestablish his influence.</p> - -<p>"I'll prove he lies! I hide nowhere!" The words fairly rang out. -"Retreat, quickly, to the positions behind. Leave me to face him."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>They fell back, quickly and orderly. Of a sudden I found myself in that -big cave, and Gederr before me, no more than twenty paces distant. He -held his ray-saber, glowing and ready, in his right hand. In his left -was some sort of silvery cylinder. He grinned murderously.</p> - -<p>"You offer yourself as a sacrifice," he said, "and I accept you."</p> - -<p>I moved toward him, my body in line with the glare-field.</p> - -<p>"You overgrown bully-swordsman," he taunted. "An ounce of my brain can -defeat a ton of your big lumpy muscles."</p> - -<p>"Explode the mine," I said. "It will take us both. You can't retreat -out of both my reach and the explosion's."</p> - -<p>"Can't I?"</p> - -<p>He held up his cylinder. "Here's the fuse. By remote control it can set -off all, or any part I select. Understand before you die, Barak. I'll -blow up a small area, and you with it, as soon as you set foot where I -want."</p> - -<p>His broad face sniggered. "Oh, you've played into my hands from the -first! You tried to disrupt—you only gave me an excuse to wipe out the -rest of that Council, and take all power for myself. Now I'll kill you. -Will you come on? Or retreat, and die as you flee? Or just stand there, -like a captive statue?"</p> - -<p>I continued my advance upon him. "You're lying," I said, but my heart -told me that for once he was not.</p> - -<p>"Your life is in my hands," he said. "You don't know what moment will -see your own feet carrying you to your death. Come, pursue me, brave -Barak, stupid Barak. Let your last thought be this—your death helps me -immeasurably."</p> - -<p>"You're lying," I said again, and he laughed again.</p> - -<p>"Reflect. Let your thick skull filter these facts. I shall destroy you. -To my followers I will be a hero. Your own Newcomers will pause and -wonder. I can re-order my defenses, and most of the planted mines will -remain to check any advance—"</p> - -<p>Forgetting all caution, all planning, I charged him. He turned and ran -like Dondromogon's outer winds.</p> - -<p>But I had taken no more than half a dozen steps in pursuit when all the -thunders and lightnings of the universe seemed to burst around me.</p> - -<p>I fell, swiftly and deeply, into black nothingness.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>I was able to establish which way was up, which down, and that I lay -horizontally, as if floating in liquid or upon clouds. My ears hummed a -trifle, and a voice spoke.</p> - -<p>"He will be all right."</p> - -<p>Dr. Thorald! I opened my eyes, and they were blurred. I lifted a hand -to them, and moaned despite myself.</p> - -<p>"Were you killed, too?" I muttered.</p> - -<p>"Killed? Not me. Nobody was killed, except that fat pig you met in the -cavern. Not enough of him left to make a funeral worth while." Thorald -looked behind him. "Ahoy, Parkeson! Cross! Barak's going to be all -right."</p> - -<p>The other two heads of the Newcomer expedition pushed into view, and -looked down upon me where I lay.</p> - -<p>"High time," grumbled Parkeson. "They're yelling for him—both sides. -Barak, you'll have to drop all your weapons and take up political -economy. I greatly fear you'll have a world to run."</p> - -<p>"World?" I echoed stupidly. "What world?" My head cleared a bit. -"Where's Doriza?"</p> - -<p>"The fighting's over," Parkeson soothed me. "Just as you forced it to -be. I'm still trying to decide whether you were an epic hero or an epic -idiot, there at the crossways of battle, making us all stop, or fight -you! But your hunch paid off. The entire Council of Dondromogon is -dead, and—"</p> - -<p>"Doriza," I said again.</p> - -<p>"Somebody named Klob, a sturdy soldierly chap, is taking charge. An -old sneak named Sporr tried to foment a counter-rising, but Klob -disintegrated him. However, the army of Dondromogon still holds an -inner defense—says it doesn't trust us quite. Wants only you to assure -it that we mean peace. Feel like getting up, Barak?"</p> - -<p>Dr. Thorald leaned over. "You've engineered this yourself, Barak, or -maybe you didn't engineer it—maybe you only bulled it through. So I -won't put words in your mouth, or thoughts in your head. But tell those -deluded people to start by trusting us. And you know that they can. -Nobody wanted war less than I. Peacetime endeavor on Dondromogon is -quite difficult and exciting enough."</p> - -<p>"Doriza," I said yet again, and then, "All right, gentlemen. You won't -tell me about her. Maybe you don't dare. But how did I survive?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, that?" put in Captain Cross. "Don't you know? The explosion was -set off prematurely, to trap and destroy Gederr. It blew him to atoms, -but you were clear of it. You had a bad tumble into the lower chamber—"</p> - -<p>Now I sat up. "Never tell me that he bungled it that badly! Gederr was -a tyrant and coward and murderer, but not a bungler!"</p> - -<p>"He was to some extent. Is your head clear? Now we can begin to -explain."</p> - -<p>Cross subsided, and Dr. Thorald took up the tale: "We sent a spy among -them, a long time back, a spy that would pretend to be renegading -from us. The spy was good, but got a rather visionary idea, like your -own—that peace was better than war between us."</p> - -<p>"Practically treason," opined Parkeson sagely.</p> - -<p>"We might have held a court-martial and an execution," went on Dr. -Thorald, "but for you. Because you seemed to plan out all this -Horatius-at-the-bridge coup. And just when we thought it had achieved -success—we thought you were failing."</p> - -<p>"And up bobs our ex-spy, and sets off the explosion," chimed in Cross. -"Sets it off to destroy Gederr and save you. And that left them without -a leader to order battle, and they were more than glad to talk peace."</p> - -<p>"What," I growled, "has all this to do with Doriza?"</p> - -<p>"Why," grinned Dr. Thorald, "they're yelling for her, too, to lead -in the final peace talks. Because, you see, she was our spy, our -pseudo-renegade, who set off the explosion!"</p> - -<p>Doriza came forward to where I had sagged back on the pillows. At sight -of her smile, I thought no more of strife and wounds and worries.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Warrior of Two Worlds, by Manly Wade Wellman - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WARRIOR OF TWO WORLDS *** - -***** This file should be named 63097-h.htm or 63097-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/0/9/63097/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Warrior of Two Worlds - -Author: Manly Wade Wellman - -Release Date: September 1, 2020 [EBook #63097] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WARRIOR OF TWO WORLDS *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - Warrior of Two Worlds - - By MANLY WADE WELLMAN - - He was the man of two planets, drawn through - the blackness of space to save a nation from - ruthless invaders. He was Yandro, the - Stranger of the Prophecy--and he found that - he was destined to fight both sides. - - [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from - Planet Stories Summer 1944. - Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that - the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - -My senses came to me slowly and somehow shyly, as if not sure of their -way or welcome. I felt first--pressure on my brow and chest, as if I -lay face downward; then the tug and buffet of a strong, probing wind, -insistent but not cold, upon my naked skin. Closing my hands, I felt -them dig into coarse dirt. I turned my face downwind and opened my -eyes. There was little to see, so thick was the dust cloud around me. -Words formed themselves on my thick tongue, words that must have been -spoken by so many reviving unfortunates through the ages: - -"Where am I?" - -And at once there was an answer: - -"_You lie upon the world Dondromogon._" - -I knew the language of that answer, but where it came from--above, -beneath, or indeed within me--I could not say. I lifted a hand, and -knuckled dust from my eyes. - -"How did I get here?" I demanded of the speaker. - -"It was ordered--by the Masters of the Worlds--that you should be -brought from your own home planet, called Earth in the System of the -star called Sun. Do you remember Earth?" - -And I did not know whether I remembered or not. Vague matters stirred -deep in me, but I could not for certain say they were memories. I asked -yet again: - -"Who am I?" - -The voice had a note of triumph. "You do not know that. It is as well, -for this will be a birth and beginning of your destined leadership on -Dondromogon." - -"Destined--leadership--" I began to repeat, and fell silent. I had -need to think. The voice was telling me that I had been snatched from -worlds away, for a specified purpose here on whatever windswept planet -Dondromogon might be. "Birth and beginning--destined leadership--" -Fantastic! And yet, for all I could say to the contrary, unvarnishedly -true. - -"Dondromogon?" I mumbled. "The name is strange to me." - -"It is a world the size of your native one," came words of information. -"Around a star it spins, light-years away from the world of your -birth. One face of Dondromogon ever looks to the light and heat, -wherefore its metals run in glowing seas. The other face is ever away -in cold darkness, with its air freezing into solid chunks. But because -Dondromogon wavers on its axis, there are two lunes of its surface -which from time to time shift from night to day. These are habitable." - -My eyes were tight shut against the dust, but they saw in imagination -such a planet--one-half incandescent, one-half pitchy black. From pole -to pole on opposite sides ran the two twilight zones, widest at the -equators like the outer rind of two slices of melon. Of course, such -areas, between the hot and cold hemispheres, would be buffeted by -mighty gales ... the voice was to be heard again: - -"War is fought between the two strips of habitable ground. War, -unceasing, bitter, with no quarter asked, given or expected. -Dondromogon was found and settled long ago, by adventurers from afar. -Now come invaders, to reap the benefits of discovery and toil." A -pause. "You find that thought unpleasant? You wish to right that -wrong?" - -"Anyone would wish that," I replied. "But how--" - -"You are going to ask how you were brought here. That is the mystery -of the _Masters_." The voice became grand. "Suffice it that you were -needed, and that the time was ripe. There is a proper time, like a -proper place, for each thing and each happening. Now, go to your -destiny." - -I rose on my knees, shielding my face from the buffeting wind by -lifting a forearm. Somewhere through the murky clouds showed a dim -blocky silhouette, a building of sorts. - -The voice spoke no more. I had not the time to wonder about it. I got -to my feet, bent double to keep from being blown over, and staggered -toward the promised haven. - -I reached it, groped along until I found a door. There was no latch, -handle or entry button, and I pounded heavily on the massive panels. -The door opened from within, and I was blown inside, to fall sprawling. - - * * * * * - -I struck my forehead upon a floor of stone or concrete, and so was -half-stunned, but still I could distinguish something like the sound -of agitated voices. Then I felt myself grasped, by both shoulders, -and drawn roughly erect. The touch restored my senses, and I wrenched -myself violently free. - -What had seized me? That was my first wonder. On this strange world -called Dondromogon, what manner of intelligent life bade defiance to -heat and cold and storm, and built these stout structures, and now laid -hands--were they hands indeed?--upon me? I swung around, setting my -back to a solid wall. - -My first glance showed me that my companions were creatures like -myself--two-legged, fair-skinned men, shorter and slighter than I, but -clad in metal-faced garments and wearing weapons in their girdles. I -saw that each bore a swordlike device with a curved guard, set in a -narrow sheath as long as my arm. Each also had a shorter weapon, with -a curved stock to fit the palm of the hand, borne snugly in a holster. -With such arms I had a faint sense of familiarity. - -"Who are you, and where are you from?" said one of the two, a -broad-faced middle-aged fellow. "Don't lie any more than you can help." - -I felt a stirring of the hair on my neck, but kept my voice mild and -level: "Why should I lie? Especially as I don't know who I am, or where -I'm from, or anything that has happened longer ago than just a moment. -I woke up out there in the dust storm, and I managed to come here for -shelter." - -"He's a Newcomer spy," quoth the other. "Let's put him under arrest." - -"And leave this gate unguarded?" demanded the other. "Sound the -signal," and he jerked his head toward a system of levers and gauges on -the wall beside the door-jamb. - -"There's a bigger reward for capture than for warning," objected -his friend in turn, "and whoever comes to take this man will claim -'capture.' I'll guard here, and you take him in, then we'll divide--" - -"No. Yours is the idea. I'll guard and you take him in." The second man -studied me apprehensively. "He's big, and looks strong, even without -weapons." - -"Don't be afraid," I urged. "I'll make no resistance, if you'll only -conduct me to your commander. I can show him that I'm no spy or enemy." - -Both stared narrowly. "No spy? No enemy?" asked the broad-faced one who -had first spoken. Then, to his comrade: "No reward, then." - -"I think there'll be a reward," was the rejoinder, and the second man's -hand stole to the sword-weapon. With a whispering rasp it cleared from -its scabbard. "If he's dead, we get pay for both warning and capture--" - -His thumb touched a button at the pommel of the hilt. The dull blade -suddenly glowed like heated iron, and from it crackled and pulsed -little rainbow rays. - -There was no time to think or plan or ponder. I moved in, with a -knowing speed that surprised me as much as the two guards. Catching the -fellow's weapon wrist, I clamped it firmly and bent it back and around. -He whimpered and swore, and his glowing sword dropped. Its radiant -blade almost fell on my naked foot. Before the clang of its fall was -through echoing, I had caught it up, and set the point within inches of -its owner's unprotected face. - -"Quiet, or I'll roast you," I told him. - -The other had drawn a weapon of his own, a pistol-form arrangement. -I turned on him, but too late. He pressed the trigger, and from the -muzzle came--not a projectile but a flying, spouting filament of cord -that seemed to spring on me like a long thin snake and to fasten coil -after coil around my body. The stuff that gushed from the gun-muzzle -seemed plastic in form, but hardened so quickly upon contact with the -air, it bound me like wire. Half a dozen adroit motions of the fellow's -gun hand, and my arms were caught to my body. I dropped my sword to -prevent it burning me, and tried to break away, but my bonds were too -much for me. - -"Let me out of this," I growled, and kicked at the man with my still -unbound foot. He snapped a half-hitch on my ankle, and threw me -heavily. Triumphant laughter came from both adversaries. Then: - -"What's this?" - - * * * * * - -The challenge was clear, rich, authoritative. Someone else had come, -from a rearward door into the stone-walled vestibule where the -encounter was taking place. - -A woman this time, not of great height, and robust but not heavy. She -was dressed for vigorous action in dark slacks with buskins to make -them snug around ankles and calves, a jerkin of stout material that was -faced with metal armor plates and left bare her round, strong arms. A -gold-worked fillet bound her tawny hair back from a rosy, bold-featured -face--a nose that was positively regal, a mouth short and firm but not -hard, and blue eyes that just now burned and questioned. She wore a -holstered pistol, and a cross-belt supported several instruments of a -kind I could not remember seeing before. A crimson cloak gave color and -dignity to her costume, and plainly she was someone of position, for -both the men stiffened to attention. - -"A spy," one ventured. "He pushed in, claimed he was no enemy, then -tried to attack--" - -"They lie," I broke in, very conscious of my naked helplessness before -her regard. "They wanted to kill me and be rewarded for a false story -of vigilance. I only defended myself." - -"Get him on his feet," the young woman said, and the two guards -obeyed. Then her eyes studied me again. "Gods! What a mountain of a -man!" she exclaimed. "Can you walk, stranger?" - -"Barely, with these bonds." - -"Then manage to do so." She flung off her cloak and draped it over my -nakedness. "Walk along beside me. No tricks, and I promise you fair -hearing." - -We went through the door by which she had entered, into a corridor -beyond. It was lighted by small, brilliant bulbs at regular intervals. -Beyond, it gave into several passages. She chose one of them and -conducted me along. "You are surely not of us," she commented. "Men I -have seen who are heavier than you, but none taller. Whence came you?" - -I remembered the strange voice that had instructed me. "I am from a -far world," I replied. "It is called--yes, Earth. Beyond that, I know -nothing. Memory left me." - -"The story is a strange one," she commented. "And your name?" - -"I do not know that, either. Who are you?" - -"Doriza--a gentlewoman of the guard. My inspection tour brought me by -chance to where you fought my outposts. But it is not for you to ask -questions. Enter here." - -We passed through another door, and I found myself in an office. A man -in richly-embossed armor platings sat there. He had a fringe of pale -beard, and his eyes were bluer than the gentlewoman Doriza's. - -She made a gesture of salute, hand at shoulder height, and reported the -matter. He nodded for her to fall back to a corner. - -"Stranger," he said to me, "can you think of no better tale to tell -than you now offer?" - -"I tell the truth," was my reply, not very gracious. - -"You will have to prove that," he admonished me. - -"What proof have I?" I demanded. "On this world of yours--Dondromogon, -isn't it called?--I'm no more than an hour old. Accident or shock -has taken my memory. Let me have a medical examination. A scientist -probably can tell what happened to put me in such a condition." - -"I am a scientist," offered Doriza, and came forward. Her eyes met -mine, suddenly flickered and lowered. "His gaze," she muttered. - -The officer at the table was touching a button. An attendant appeared, -received an order, and vanished again. In a few moments two other -men came--one a heavily armed officer of rank, the other an elderly, -bearded fellow in a voluminous robe that enfolded him in most dignified -manner. - -This latter man opened wide his clear old eyes at sight of me. - -"The stranger of the prophecy!" he cried, in a voice that made us all -jump. - - * * * * * - -The officer rose from behind the table. "Are you totally mad, Sporr? -You mystic doctors are too apt to become fuddled--" - -"But it is, it is!" The graybeard flourished a thin hand at me. "Look -at him, you of little faith! Your mind dwells so much on material -strength that you lose touch with the spiritual--" - -He broke off, and wheeled on the attendant who had led him in. "To my -study," he commanded. "On the shelf behind my desk, bring the great -gold-bound book that is third from the right." Then he turned back, -and bowed toward me. "Surely you are Yandro, the Conquering Stranger," -he said, intoning as if in formal prayer. "Pardon these short-sighted -ones--deign to save us from our enemies--" - -The girl Doriza spoke to the officer: "If Sporr speaks truth, and he -generally does, you have committed a blasphemy." - -The other made a little grimace. "This may be Yandro, though I'm a -plain soldier and follow the classics very little. The First Comers are -souls to worship, not to study. If indeed he is Yandro," and he was -most respectful, "he will appreciate, like a good military mind, my -caution against possible impostors." - -"Who might Yandro be?" I demanded, very uncomfortable in my bonds and -loose draperies. - -Old Sporr almost crowed. "You see? If he was a true imposter, he would -come equipped with all plausible knowledge. As it is--" - -"As it is, he may remember that the Conquering Stranger is foretold -to come with no memory of anything," supplied the officer. "Score one -against you, Sporr. You should have been able to instruct me, not I -you." - -The attendant reentered, with a big book in his hands. It looked -old and well-thumbed, with dim gold traceries on its binding. Sporr -snatched it, and turned to a brightly colored picture. He looked once, -his beard gaped, and he dropped to his knees. - -"Happy, happy the day," he jabbered, "that I was spared to see our -great champion come among us in the flesh, as was foretold of ancient -time by the First Comers!" - -Doriza and the officer crossed to his side, snatching the book. Their -bright heads bent above it. Doriza was first to speak. "It is very -like," she half-stammered. - -The officer faced me, with a sort of baffled respect. - -"I still say you will understand my caution," he addressed me, with -real respect and shyness this time. "If you are Yandro himself, you can -prove it. The prophecy even sketches a thumb-print--" And he held the -book toward me. - -It contained a full-page likeness, in color, of myself wrapped in a -scarlet robe. Under this was considerable printed description, and to -one side a thumb-print, or a drawing of one, in black. - -"Behold," Doriza was saying, "matters which even expert identification -men take into thought. The ears in the picture are like the ears of the -real man--" - -"That could be plastic surgery," rejoined the officer. "Such things are -artfully done by the Newcomers, and the red mantle he wears more easily -assumed." - -Doriza shook her head. "That happens to be my cloak. I gave it to him -because he was naked, and not for any treasonable masquerade. But the -thumb-print--" - -"Oh, yes, the thumb-print," I repeated wearily. "By all means, study my -thumbs, if you'll first take these bonds off of me." - -"Bonds," mumbled old Sporr. He got creakily up from his knees and -bustled to me. From under his robe he produced a pouch, and took out a -pencil-sized rod. Gingerly opening the red mantle, he touched my tether -in several places with the glowing end of the rod. The coils dropped -away from my grateful body and limbs. I thrust out my hands. - -"Thumb-prints?" I offered. - -Sporr had produced something else, a little vial of dark pigment. He -carefully anointed one of my thumbs, and pressed it to the page. All -three gazed. - -"The same," said Doriza. - -And they were all on their knees before me. - -"Forgive me, great Yandro," said the officer thickly. "I did not know." - -"Get up," I bade them. "I want to hear why I was first bound, and now -worshipped." - - - II - -They rose, but stood off respectfully. The officer spoke first. "I am -Rohbar, field commander of this defense position," he said with crisp -respect. "Sporr is a mystic doctor, full of godly wisdom. Doriza, -a junior officer and chief of the guard. And you--how could you -know?--are sent by the First Comers to save us from our enemies." - -"Enemies?" I repeated. - -"The Newcomers," supplemented Doriza. "They have taken the "Other Side" -of Dondromogon, and would take our side as well. We defend ourselves -at the poles. Now," and her voice rang joyously, "you will lead us to -defeat and crush them utterly!" - -"Not naked like this," I said, and laughed. I must have sounded -foolish, but it had its effect. - -"Follow me, deign to follow me," Sporr said. "Your clothing, your -quarters, your destiny, all await you." - -We went out by the door at the rear, and Sporr respectfully gestured me -upon a metal-plated platform. Standing beside me, he tinkered with a -lever. We dropped smoothly away into a dark corridor, past level after -level of light and sound. - -"Our cities are below ground," he quavered. "Whipped by winds above, -we must scrabble in the depths for life's necessities--chemicals to -transmute into food, to weave into clothing, to weld into tools and -weapons--" - -The mention of food brought to me the thought that I was hungry. I said -as much, even as our elevator platform came to the lowest level and -stopped. - -"I have arranged for that," Sporr began, then fell silent, fingers -combing his beard in embarrassment. - -"Arranged food for me?" I prompted sharply. "As if you know I had come? -What--" - -"Pardon, great Yandro," babbled Sporr. "I was saying that I arranged -food, as always, for whatever guest should come. Please follow." - -We entered a new small chamber, where a table was set with dishes of -porcelain-like plastic. Sporr held a chair for me, and waited on me -with the utmost gingerly respect. The food was a pungent and filling -jelly, a little bundle of transparent leaves or scraps like cellophane -and tasting of spice, and a tumbler of pink juice. I felt refreshed and -satisfied, and thanked Sporr, who led me on to the next room. - -"Behold!" he said, with a dramatic gesture. "Your garments, even as -they have been preserved against your coming!" - -It was a sleeping chamber, with a cot made fast to the wall, a metal -locker or cupboard, with a glass door through which showed the garments -of which Sporr spoke. - -The door closed softly behind me--I was left alone. - -Knowing that it was expected of me, I went to the locker and opened -the door. The garments inside were old, I could see, but well kept and -serviceable. I studied their type, and my hands, if not my mind, seemed -familiar with them. - -There was a kiltlike item, belted at the waist and falling to -mid-thigh. A resilient band at the top, with a series of belt-holes, -made it adaptable to my own body or to any other. Then came an upper -garment, a long strip of soft, close-woven fabric that spiralled -around the torso from hip to armpit, the end looping over the left -shoulder and giving full play to the arms. A gold-worked fillet bound -the brows and swept back my longish hair, knotting at the nape of the -neck. The only fitted articles were a pair of shoes, metal-soled and -soft-uppered, that went on well enough and ran cross-garters up to -below the knee, like buskins. The case also held a platinum chain for -the neck, a belt-bag, and a handsome sword, with clips to fasten them -in place. These things, too, I donned, and closed the glass door. - - * * * * * - -The light struck it at such an angle as to make it serve for a -full-length mirror. With some curiosity I gazed at my image. - -The close-fitting costume was rich and dark, with bright colors only -for edgings and minor accessories. I myself--and it was as if I saw my -body for the first time--towered rather bluffly, with great breadth -of chest and shoulder, and legs robust enough to carry such bulk. The -face was square but haggard, as if from some toil or pain which was now -wiped from my recollection. That nose had been even bigger than it was -now, but a fracture had shortened it somewhat. The eyes were deep set -and dark and moody--small wonder!--the chin heavy, the mouth made grim -by a scar at one corner. Black, shaggy hair hung down like brackets. -All told, I looked like a proper person for physical labor, or even -fierce fighting--but surely no inspirational leader or savior of a -distressed people. - -I took the military cloak which Doriza had lent me and slung it over my -shoulders. Turning, I clanked out on my metal-soled shoes. - -Sporr was waiting in the room where I had eaten. His eyes widened at -sight of me, something like a grin of triumph flashed through his -beard. Then he bowed, supple and humble, his palms together. - -"It is indeed Yandro, our great chief," he mumbled. Then he turned and -crossed the room. A sort of mouthpiece sprouted from the wall. - -"I announce," he intoned into it. "I announce, I, Sporr, the reader and -fore-teller of wisdom. Yandro is with us, he awaits his partners and -friends. Let them meet him in the audience hall." - -Facing me again, he motioned most respectfully toward the door to the -hall. I moved to open it, and he followed, muttering. - -Outside stood Doriza. Her blue eyes met mine, and her lips moved to -frame a word. Then, suddenly, she was on her knee, catching my hand and -kissing it. - -"I serve Yandro," she vowed tremulously. "Now and forever--and happy -that I was fated to live when he returned for the rescue of all -Dondromogon." - -"Please get up," I bade her, trying not to sound as embarrassed as I -felt. "Come with me. There is still much that I do not understand." - -"I am Yandro's orderly and helper," she said. Rising, she ranged -herself at my left hand. "Will Yandro come this way? He will be awaited -in the audience hall." - -It seemed to me then that the corridors were vast and mixed as a -labyrinth, but Doriza guided me without the slightest hesitation past -one tangled crossway after another. My questions she answered with a -mixture of awe and brightness. - -"It is necessary that we live like this," she explained. "The hot air -of Dondromogon's sunlit face is ever rising, and the cold air from -the dark side comes rushing under to fill the vacuum. Naturally, our -strip of twilight country is never free of winds too high and fierce to -fight. No crops can grow outside, no domestic animals flourish. We must -pen ourselves away from the sky and soil, with stout walls and heavy -sunken parapets. Our deep mines afford every element for necessities of -life." - - * * * * * - -I looked at my garments, and hers. There were various kinds of fabric, -which I now saw plainly to be synthetic. "The other side, where those -you call the Newcomers dwell and fight," I reminded. "Is it also -windswept? Why can two people not join forces and face toil and nature -together? They should fight, not each other, but the elements." - -Doriza had no answer that time, but Sporr spoke up behind us: "Great -Yandro is wise as well as powerful. But the Newcomers do not want to -help, not even to conquer. They want to obliterate us. There is nothing -to do--not for lifetimes--but to fight them back at the two poles." - -We came to a main corridor. It had a line of armed guards, but no -pedestrians or vehicles, though I thought I caught a murmur of far-off -traffic. Doriza paused before a great portal, closed by a curtainlike -sheet of dull metal. She spoke into a mouthpiece: - -"Doriza, gentlewoman of the guard, conducts Yandro, the Conquering -Stranger, to greet his lieutenants!" - -I have said that the portal was closed by a curtainlike metal sheet; -and like a curtain it lifted, letting us through into the auditorium. - -That spacious chamber had rows of benches, with galleries above, that -might have seated a thousand. However, only a dozen or so were present, -on metal chairs ranged across the stage upon which we entered. They -were all men but two, and wore robes of black, plum-purple or red. At -sight of me, they rose together, most respectfully. They looked at me, -and I looked at them. - -My first thought was, that if these were people of authority and trust -in the nation I seemed destined to save, my work was cut out for me. - -Not that they really seemed stupid--none had the look, or the -subsequent action, of stupidity. But they were not pleasant. Their -dozen pairs of eyes fixed me with some steadiness, but with no -frankness anywhere. One man had a round, greedy-seeming face. Another -was too narrow and cunning to look it. Of the women, one was nearly -as tall as I and nobly proportioned, with hair of a red that would be -inspiring were it not so blatantly dyed. The other was a little wisp of -a brunette, with teeth too big for her scarlet mouth and bright eyes -like some sort of a rodent. They all wore jewelry. Too much jewelry. - -My mind flew back to the two scrubby, venial guardsmen who had first -welcomed me; to stuffy Rohbar, the commander; to Sporr, spry and clever -enough, but somehow unwholesome; Doriza--no, she was not like these -others, who may have lived too long in their earth-buried shelters. And -Doriza now spoke to the gathering: - -"Yandro, folk of the Council! He deigns to give you audience." - -"_Yandro!_" - -They all spoke the name in chorus, and bowed toward me. - -Silence then, a silence which evidently I must break. I broke it: -"Friends, I am among you with no more memory or knowledge than an -infant. I hear wonderful things, of which I seem to be the center. Are -they true?" - -"The tenth part of the wonders which concern mighty Yandro have not -been told," intoned Sporr, ducking his bearded head in a bow, but -fixing me with his wise old eyes. - -One of the group, called Council by Doriza, now moved a pace forward. -He was the greedy-faced man, short but plump, and very conscious of -the dignified folds of his purple robe. One carefully-tended hand -brushed back his ginger-brown hair, then toyed with a little moustache. - -"I am Gederr, senior of this Council," he purred. "If Yandro permits, I -will speak simply. Our hopes have been raised by Yandro's return--the -return presaged of old by those who could see the future, and more -recently by the death in battle of the Newcomer champion, called Barak." - -"Barak!" I repeated. "I--I--" And I paused. When I had to learn my own -name, how could it be that I sensed memory of another's name? - -"Barak was a brute--mighty, but a brute." Thus Gederr continued. -"Weapons in his hands were the instruments of fate. His hands alone -caused fear and ruin. But it pleased our fortune-bringing stars to -encompass his destruction." He grinned, and licked his full lips. "Now, -even as they are without their battle-leader, so we have ours." - -"You honor me," I told him. "Yet I still know little. It seems that I -am expected to aid and lead and save the people of this world called -Dondromogon. But I must know them before I can help." - -Gederr turned his eyes upon the woman with the red hair, and gestured -to her "Tell him, Elonie." Then he faced me. "Have we Yandro's -permission to sit?" - -"By all means," I granted, a little impatiently, and sat down myself. -The others followed suit--the Council on their range of chairs, Doriza -on a bench near me, Sporr somewhere behind. The woman called Elonie -remained upon her sandalled feet, great eyes the color of deep green -water fixed upon me. - - * * * * * - -Elonie was taller than any of her fellow Council members, taller than -Sporr, almost as tall as I. Her figure was mature, generous, but fine, -and set off by a snugly-draped robe as red as her dyed cascade of hair. -Red-dyed, too, were the tips of her fingers, and her lips were made -vivid and curvy beyond nature by artificial crimson. She made a bow -toward me, smiled a little, showing most perfect white teeth. She began: - -"Dondromogon began with the First Comers. Many ages they ruled here, -the Fifteen of them. Forever they were fifteen, for when one died, -another was bred; when one was born, the oldest or least useful was -eliminated. It was they who planned and began this shelter-city, found -the elements that support life and give comfort. - -"Others came, from far worlds. The Fifteen changed their policy of a -fixed number, and became rulers of the new colonists. But after some -study, it was decided to set a new limit. Seven hundred was decided -upon, and seven hundred we still remain." - -"Wait," I interrupted. "You mean that, when new children are born among -you, someone must die?" - -She nodded. "Exactly as with the Fifteen. We eliminate the least -useful. Sometimes we eliminate the child itself. More often, an older -and worn-out individual." - -I thought that I sensed an uncomfortable wriggle in Sporr, behind me. -"Why is this?" I demanded. - -"Because, Yandro, there cannot be room and supplies enough for a -greater number." - -I scowled to myself. So far I had seen luxury enough in Dondromogon's -chambers and tunnels. But there remained so much to learn. "Go on," I -bade her. - -She nodded again, and obeyed: "Thus we on Dondromogon live and have -lived. This world is ours, its good and evil. But," and her voice, from -a soft, shy murmur, turned hard, "there are those who do not wish it -so. The Newcomers--the invaders!" - -"Ill be their fate," growled Gederr beside her, as if rehearsed. - -"They came to us, not long ago in years ... but I forget, Yandro does -not know as yet the length of Dondromogon's year, or Dondromogon's -day. They came, then, no longer ago than the time needed for a baby to -become a child." - -Three years of my own reckoning I decided, and wished she had not -mentioned babies and children. I still disliked that arbitrary -survival-of-the-fittest custom. "Where did they come from?" I asked. - -"Who can tell? Perhaps from the forgotten world where came our -ancestors. Somehow they had learned of our conquest here, our advances -and wealth-gathering in spite of natural obstacles. That is what they -hope to plunder from us, these conquering Newcomers!" - -"Ill be their fate," repeated Gederr, and two or three of the Council -with him. - -"But the winds are too high for a final battle to happen quickly. After -some fighting, they seized upon the other strip of habitable land, -on Dondromogon's other side. We fight them at the two poles--mostly -underground. Do you understand?" - -"I seem to," I replied. "But now what about me? The story of Yandro?" - -"Did not Sporr tell everything?" broke in Gederr. "He should have done -so. Sporr, the Council is not pleased." - -"I had to go slowly," apologized the old man, and Elonie took up the -tale: - -"It is known to all on Dondromogon. The days of the First Comers held -great minds that could see the future. Then it was foreseen that, in -Dondromogon's hour of peril and need, a time set by the destruction of -an enemy great and mighty--" - -"Barak," I said aloud, still puzzling over that strangely familiar name. - -"At that time," finished Elonie, "a leader to be called Yandro, the -Conquering Stranger, would come. Even clothing was supplied--clothing -not like that we wear today." - - * * * * * - -She gestured toward me. Indeed, the garments I wore were different from -those of my companions. I shook my head slowly, and tried to digest -what I had heard once again. But one bit of it still clamored for -rejection. - -"About these eliminations," I harked back. "Who decides on which person -must die to keep the number down to seven hundred?" - -"We do," replied Gederr, almost bleakly. - -"And the Newcomers, have they a similar custom?" - -"Not they, the greedy interlopers." Gederr looked very greedy himself. -"They delve and destroy in Dondromogon, feeding ever new spates of -arrivals." - -"It seems," I offered, "that you would be well advised to grow in -number, and so win this war." - -But Gederr shook his head. "We check-mate them at the two poles, where -the way into our territory is narrow. And more than seven hundred would -be hard to make comfortable." - -"Friends, I do not like it," I stated flatly. "There seems to be -ruthlessness, and waste." - -"Why waste?" spoke up another of the Council, the narrow man, whose -name was Stribakar. "This war has begun only recently, but it will last -forever. At least, so I see it." - -"Now that Yandro is here, it shall be brought to an end," pronounced -Elonie, her green eyes fixed on me. "Will it please Yandro to see -something of this war?" - -"Since you make it so much my business, I would be pleased indeed," I -told her, and Sporr rose from his seat. He went to an oblong of white -translucency, on a side wall of the stage within sight of us all. It -was about twice a man's height by thrice a man's width. - -"The screen of a televiso," he said to me, and touched a dial beside -it. The screen lighted, with confused blurrings of color and movement. -He dialed quickly and knowingly. - -"We see an underground passage," he said. "And those who dispute -therein." - -I could see a gloomy stretch of earth-walled passage, lighted from -somewhere by a yellow radiance that became dim and brown toward one -end. I had no way of judging the true size of the object whose image -I saw, until I made out stealthy movement at the darker end. Sporr's -dialing made parts of the scene clear, and the movement proved to be -that of a human figure, prone and partially concealed in a depression -of the floor. That figure was no more than half-height, by which I -estimated the passage itself to be some fifteen or eighteen feet to the -top of its rough-dug ceiling. - -"A scout," breathed Doriza beside me, pointing to the prone man. "See, -Yandro, he wears earth-colored cloth over his armor, and his arms and -face are smeared with mud. The thing he holds is a ray-digger, whereby -he burrows his way forward to the enemy. - -"Enemy in the same tunnel with him?" I asked. - -"Right." I saw her blond head dip. "Our tunnel broke into one of -theirs, by accident or plan. At point of contact, both forces are -cautious, fearing ambush. Now--" - -She said no more. The scout on the screen was apparently creeping -forward through the solid soil of the floor, only the top of his head -and shoulders showing. Once or twice I saw the object he employed, -a baton-like tool of black metal with a bulb or ball at one end. It -emitted faint sparks and shudders of light, which melted or vaporized -the earth ahead of him. - -"See! He senses danger near." - -Indeed he did; for he paused, and took something else from his belt--a -disk the size of his palm. This he held close to his face, studying it. - -"Televiso," explained Doriza. "It has limited power of identifying both -sound and sight near at hand. The scout knows that enemy approach." - - * * * * * - -Still working his dials, Sporr made the scene slide along. The bright -end of the tunnel came into view for some yards. All who watched leaned -forward excitedly. - -"Newcomers," breathed Gederr, and added his familiar curse, "ill be -their fate! They have one of those vibration-shields." - -"Warn the advance party," bade Stribakar, and Sporr, turning from his -dials, muttered quickly into a speaking tube. - -The situation that thus interested and activated my companions was hard -to make out. I saw only an indistinct fuzziness in a sort of niche -against the tunnel wall. Doriza pointed. - -"A vibration-shield," she told me. "The Newcomers have such things. -Some machine or other power stirs the molecules of air to such a new -tempo as to create a plane of force. No missile, no light even, can -penetrate. They are sheltered and all but indistinguishable. See, they -go forward." - -The eddying cloud moved along the tunnel. We could see the scout again. -He tucked away his disk and employed the ray-digger. Quickly he sank -deeper and out of sight. - -"Burrowing in," pronounced Gederr. "If he succeeds in what he hopes--" - -"Spare him, you mean?" asked Stribakar, and Gederr nodded. - -The eddying blotch that marked the power-shield of the invaders came -closer. I saw it approach the place where the scout had burrowed away. -It paused there, as if those hidden by it were investigating. Then-- - -"Brave fellow!" cried Elonie, like someone at an exciting sports event -or play. - -The scout had dug himself a little channel beneath the floor. Now -he burst into view, beyond and behind the invaders. He held a -pistol-weapon in each hand. One spat sparks--some sort of pellets or -projectiles. The other was plainly a web-spinner like the one that -first had bound me, and this he poised ready for use. - -His projectiles seemed to find an opening behind the power-shield. A -human form lurched into view--a glowing, writhing form, like a man -of red-hot metal. An agonized leap, a shudder, and the body fell, -abruptly falling into clinkered bits. A moment later, the power-shield -disturbance vanished, and there stood revealed two others, clad like -the scout in earth-colored jumper over armor. - -"He got the power-shield man!" exulted Elonie. She was on her feet, -applauding wildly. In the same second, I saw the scout point and -discharge his spinner-gun. Whirling coils of cord struck, wound and -tangled the two foremen. The scout's bearded mouth opened, as if he -yelled in exultation. - -But that was his last cry and action. Another eddy, larger and swifter, -suddenly came into the picture behind him. From it sprang a pale shaft -of light. The scout went down on his face as if in sudden prayer. He -moved no more. - -Toward the dark end, Dondromogon figures seemed to move. There was a -great spatter of spark-pellets. But the eddy of the new power-shield -had scurried forward, enveloping and vanishing the two bound men. It -retired as quickly. No movement, no figure, except those of the dead -scout and the charred remains of the man he had killed. - -"There will be little action here for some time to come," announced -Gederr. "Switch it off, Sporr." - -Sporr did so. I shook myself, as if to rid my body of unpleasant -dampness and chill. - -"Exciting," I said. "Unusual. I suppose this goes on all the time." - -"Not all the time," Elonie demurred. "As Yandro has heard, the -battle-areas are limited, in the region of the poles. There is much -maneuvering, but not too much contact. This incident was an order." - -"Order?" I repeated. - -"We sent the man you saw, knowing that you would want this televiso -view of how we made war." - -I snorted and faced her angrily. "You sent him to his death? So that I -could see a show? You value life very cheaply, Elonie." - - - III - -She smiled, as if I had complimented her. "Oh, the man was up for -elimination. He was supernumerary. Of course, if he had succeeded -in his capture of prisoners and one of the devices that make those -power-shields--" - -I remembered what Stribakar had said to Gederr. "He was brave," I said, -"and it was a shame that he had to die. You want me to be a leader in -war like that? I have other ideas of warfare." - -All of them looked at me, and one spoke from behind Gederr: "We had -hoped that Yandro would say that. Yandro means to lead us in person--in -a great and decisive battle." - -"At least it would be cleaner than this mole-digging and sneaking," I -said hotly. - -Gederr rose. "Sporr, tune in whatever terminal you can find among the -Newcomers. I shall say something to them." - -Obediently Sporr manipulated levers, push-buttons and dials near the -speaking-tube. Gederr crossed to it and spoke harshly: - -"Newcomers, ill be your fate! Your defeat is at hand! We give you -warning! Our engines will burrow a mighty cave near the north pole. Let -you come there, with all your hosts--and so shall we, so shall we!" -His voice rose to a scream. "With us--leading us--comes the greatest -fighter that Dondromogon has ever known, and the sight of him shall -_break your hearts_!" - -My ears rang, as the ears of all listeners must have rung, with those -last words. Gederr turned away, and Sporr dialed the power off. - -"Now," Gederr said, "is there not some plan for amusement? A pleasant -hour in the Pavilion? Great Yandro's heart is troubled--for it is as -great as himself--by thoughts of war and its pains. Let him come with -us for solace." - -"Amen to that," said Elonie, and she walked toward me. I rose, and she -slid her bare arm through mine. Her face was close to mine, smiling and -full of invitation. It seemed that Doriza was going to say something, -but Elonie spoke first: "He will need no military aide, Doriza. Nothing -military about the Pavilion, you remember." - -We walked out together--Elonie and myself, then the others. We found -a wider corridor, and one full of hum and motion. The smooth floor -of the passage was seamed with metal-shod grooves, in which moved -vehicles--ovoid vehicles, of various sizes, balancing, it seemed, -on one whirring wheel apiece. Elonie escorted me to one such car, -which stood poised on its wheel like a dancer on tiptoe. There was -room inside for the two of us only, among luxurious cushions. At her -respectful invitation I sat inside, and she operated controls. - -"Thus we travel in this city," she chatted as we rolled along. "Not -swiftly, of course, in this nor in our other city, near the South Pole. -The real speed is in the way-tunnels between." - -"Way-tunnels the width of a world?" I asked, wondering. "How can only -seven hundred persons do such work?" - -"You saw the ray-digger on the televiso. There are larger and more -complex diggers of that type, by which we can journey almost anywhere -underground--clear through the core of Dondromogon and up into Newcomer -lands, were it not for the inner fires. Perhaps we shall dig them out -by the roots in time, despite their defenses." - -Once again I thought of so much science and wealth, and of people dying -because their rulers thought seven hundred were none too few to enjoy -the benefits of a world. - -We stopped down a fork of the vehicle-corridor, and Elonie dismounted -before another of the metal curtain-doors. At her touch of a button and -a word into a speaking tube, it opened to us. We passed into a smaller -passageway, and then out into a place of aching beauty. - -My first impression was of pastel lights, changing and mingling -constantly--blue, violet, pink, green, orchid, pale. They struck from -starlike points in a great domed ceiling, over a floor like a mirror. -And the pastel-tinted air was filled with music, soft but penetrating -and heady. There was a breeze from somewhere, scented and warm. In -and out of other doorways across the floor wandered figures, male and -female, murmuring together and helping themselves to cups from great -trestles and tables. - -"The refreshments are provided," Elonie told me softly. "We need not -wait for the others. Come, Yandro. They have poured wine--Yandro knows -what wine is? And we have music, perfume, light, laughter, and for -companions all of Dondromogon." - -"All?" I repeated. - -"All save those on guard or garrison duty. Come, mighty one. Know -happiness that is worth fighting and conquering to keep." - -She tugged at my arm, urging me toward the wine-tables. - -And now there was a louder murmur, excitement and even apprehension, at -my entrance. I suppose I was an extraordinary figure--taller than any -person there, indeed none were anywhere near my height save the nobly -proportioned Elonie herself. And I was more sinewy, and darker, as if -of another race entirely. Timid memories struggled somewhere within -me, as if knocking at the closed doors of my consciousness. Somewhere, -somehow in the past, things had happened that might explain so much, -make my present position clearer to me. - -Gederr was following close behind, muttering something to Doriza. Then -he pressed on beyond me, and mounted a sort of dais or platform. - -"You of Dondromogon!" he called, and such was his voice, or perhaps the -acoustic properties of that hemispheric room, that all could hear him -easily. "Have you not heard rumors of a great happening? The ancient -legend of a mighty leader to come among us--" - -"Yandro!" cried a deep-voiced fellow in the front belt of listeners. -His eyes were on me, studying, questioning. - -"Yes, Yandro, champion of our cause, sent by the First Comers -themselves!" That was Elonie, and with a hand on my elbow she urged me -up on the platform beside Gederr. - -Applause burst out, some of it a little drunken, but quite hearty and -honest. "Yandro!" cried the deep-voiced man again, and others took it -up: "Yandro! Yandro!" Whatever my own doubts, they had none. - -Gederr held up an authoritative hand for silence. "He came from far in -space and time, and one look will assure you of his leadership. The -time for deliverance is at hand, men and women of Dondromogon! We trust -in mighty Yandro!" - -There was louder applause, in the midst of which Gederr sidled close. -"Speak to them," he mumbled in my ear. - -Like him, I lifted a hand for silence. It came, and I eyed my audience, -as I sought for words to speak. - - * * * * * - -The first thought that came was that, if Elonie were right and these -people were the selected best of the race, then Dondromogon was -decadently peopled. Not only were they smallish and mostly frail, but -few had a distinguished or aggressive cast of countenance. The Council -members had been wise-seeming, perhaps, but even they had not struck me -as healthy types. To one side stood Doriza, militarily at attention, -blue eyes fast upon me--she was a notable exception, compact and strong -and healthy of body and mind, and at the same time quite as feminine as -the more flashy and languorous Elonie just beside my platform. Through -the rear ranks of listeners moved old white-bearded Sporr, who had much -to say to certain members of the throng, perhaps explaining me and my -legend. - -"Friends," I began at last, "I am new here. A little child might have -more experience of your ways and wishes. Yet it becomes apparent that -great service is expected of me, and such a service I would greatly -love to do." - -"Hear! Hear! Wise are the words of Yandro!" Thus went up a new chorus. -I felt reassured, and spoke more confidently. - -"Your Council has explained much. Now I come to the people represented -by that Council. If I am to help, you are to explain how. For the voice -of a people is seldom wrong or foolish." - -"Wise are the words!" They chorused again, and the man with the deep -voice suddenly put up his hand and moved forward. I saw that he -had the armor and weapons of a soldier, and in one hand he held a -cup, from which he had been drinking. He was fairly well knit for a -Dondromogonian, and, though his face was simple, it was manly enough. -He cleared his throat diffidently. - -"We have been told of Yandro's coming, throughout our halls and -dwellings," he began. "That he should ask for our word is an honor. But -since he asks, I make bold to reply--" He choked a little. "Peace!" he -cried hoarsely. "Peace--and comfort--" - -"Peace! Peace!" cried the others around him, and "Peace!" bellowed -hundreds of voices. - -I was a little perplexed. After the war-like talk of the Council, this -was different, and disturbing. But Gederr, beside me was not at a loss. - -"Peace you shall have, as Yandro's gift!" he cried. "The Newcomers--ill -be their fate--have been warned and promised of his coming, and now -they shake in dread! He shall lead you to victory, complete victory, -and the fruits of victory!" - -It was powerfully said, and the cheering was greater than ever. Under -cover of the din, Gederr took my elbow and escorted me from the -platform. - -"They have been despondent, Yandro. They grow unwilling to face death -and wounds. But you have changed all that. Hark to their cries of your -name! Now there shall be no more speaking, only happiness." - -Elonie had joined us again. Her hand dropped warmly over mine. "This -way," she bade. "This wine is for the Council only--the best on -Dondromogon. Honor us by taking some." - -She gave me a goblet, of some transparent substance clasped in bright -metal, and brimming with a red liquor. I took it with a bow, and she -lifted her own goblet. As we drank together, I had another impression -of Doriza's studying, wondering eyes. Did the warrior-woman, appointed -as my military aide, disapprove? But the wine was excellent, and my -spirits rose. - -"Come," said Elonie. Her arm was through mine again, warm and gently -urging. She led me toward a niche, set deep and shadowy into the wall. -There was a divan with cushions, and a table with cups and flagons -for drinking. The music had begun again, and some of the people were -dancing together. - -"Yandro is gracious to grant me these moments alone," purred Elonie. -"Yandro is overwhelming." - -"Can't we drop the third person?" I asked. "I do not feel much taste -for formalities." - -She clutched at that with a little cry of gladness and her eyes and -smile were radiant. "You offer me intimacy!" she exclaimed. "It's -honor--it thrills--" She lifted her glass. "Drink again, I beg you! You -and I shall drink to each other." - -"Why not?" I said, and touched her glass with mine. "To you, Elonie." - -"To you, Yandro, my dear lord!" - - * * * * * - -The wine was galvanizingly strong. I felt my ears ring a little, -and--why not admit it?--Elonie's nearness and adulation were wine -in themselves. She leaned toward me on the divan, so that our bare -shoulders touched. Her lips, full and trembling, were very close. - -"Yandro," she whispered. "Yandro ... you could make me happy, and -yourself happy, too...." - -Suddenly I shook my head a little, to clear it. For her eyes, a moment -ago so fascinating, suddenly made me uneasy. It was as if claws had -reached from their brightness and fastened upon me. She steadfastly -fixed my gaze with hers. - -"Yandro...." Her voice was soft, monotonous. "All is well with you ... -trust us, trust me, Elonie ... I shall guide you to victory, you need -have no qualms...." - -Her arm stole across my chest, curved around my neck. She drew my head -toward hers. Her brilliant eyes seemed to fill the whole field of my -vision, impelling, hypnotic-- - -_Hypnotic--that was it!_ - -The strange half-lost thoughts from my unknown former life sized the -idea and held it up to me. Danger, danger, they were crying at me. Most -ungallantly I took her wrist and disengaged myself from her embrace. - -"Since I am destined for war, is there time for this?" I asked, trying -to laugh. - -"Is there not?" she murmured. - -I rose from where I sat, and sipped more wine. Where it had fuddled -me before, it cleared me now. "Elonie, you are charming. I do not know -whether I have standards by which to judge, but you do things to men. -Perhaps I should have time to make up my own mind." - -"If I have offended--" she began to stammer. - -"Oh, not in the least. But there is so much for me to be sure of." - -She, too, rose, and left me without a word. Had I made her angry? -Yet her last words had been of apology. I sat down again, alone and -mystified. - -But I did not remain alone for more than two minutes. Outside the -niche, Elonie was talking to Gederr. Gederr scowled, nodded, then with -an air of inspiration beckoned to Doriza. Doriza joined them, listened -respectfully to Gederr. Finally she nodded, as if in acceptance of -orders, and walked toward me. - -I rose to meet her. She looked me steadily in the eye, but when she -spoke it was hesitantly, and with a shyness most womanly, too womanly -for a military person. - -"Great Yandro is not pleased with Elonie of the Council. Is it possible -that he would prefer another woman--me?" - -Just like that, she offered herself. And if ever I had made up my mind -in a hurry, it had been to the effect that Doriza was nothing but -reserve and prudence. - -What answer I might be able to give was suddenly unnecessary. - -Just outside the niche angry voices rose. An officer, all fair beard -and flapping cloak, was accosting Gederr with something less than the -respect due a member of the Council. - -"I say, she was promised to me--to me! And to me she goes, for my part -in bringing him to you!" - -"Silence, Rohbar," commanded Gederr in a voice as sharp as a dagger, -but the officer pushed him roughly aside and strode into the niche. - -It was the man who had interviewed me after my first capture. His pale -eyes gave off sparks in the subdued light, and one hand sought the hilt -of his pistol. - -"Yandro, they call you!" he flung out. "Yandro, sent from out of space -and time to Dondromogon! Well, be that true or no, Doriza is not for -you--and deny me if you dare! I'll send you back out of space and -time, with whatever weapon you choose!" - - - IV - -Rohbar glared, but I could have smiled. Smiled in welcome. He was -extricating me from a most embarrassing position. I faced him and spoke -steadily. - -"My friend, you were rude to me at our first meeting. Now you threaten. -I begin to think you don't like me, and that we'll only be happy -shedding each other's blood." - -"Amen to that!" he snarled. And to Doriza: "Get out, get away from him." - -I moved a step closer, and rapped him on the chest with my knuckles. -"She came to speak courteously to me, and she shall go only if she so -desires." As I spoke, I reflected that she might be worth fighting for, -after all. I turned to her. - -"Doriza, is this true? Do you belong to Rohbar." - -She shook her bright head, and for once her eyes did not meet mine. -I felt a sudden joy and relief, such as Elonie's frank throwing of -herself at my head could not bring. - -But Rohbar had drawn his pistol-weapon. Another moment, and he would -have brought it in line with my chest. But I caught his weapon wrist in -my left hand, and with the heel of my right I whacked him solidly on -his bearded chin. His head bobbed, and a moment later I had twisted the -pistol away from him, throwing it back into the niche. A moment later, -Gederr and several others had hurried in, seizing him. He struggled and -cursed. - -"Put him under arrest!" Gederr bade, and Rohbar ceased struggling. He -drew himself up. - -"So that's it!" he roared. "Do you think you dare treat me thus, -Gederr? I do not care if you're of the Council--I know a secret very -close and very valuable--" - -"Stop his mouth!" Elonie was imploring, and he cursed her, too. - -"It seems," I put in, "that Rohbar makes a practice of rudeness to -women." - -I got smiles from Elonie and Doriza both, and Rohbar fairly blackened -in the face as he strove to pull free and get at me. - -"You!" he choked. "Yandro you call yourself--you're a fraud, a -figurehead, foisted by these scheming, sneaking Council folk--a living -lie!" - -"Let him go," I bade those who held him. "Nobody says 'lie' to me and -goes unpunished." - -There was silence, as far as my voice had reached. Only in the -background did music and pleasant conversation continue. It was Elonie -who spoke first: - -"Yandro, you have privileged me in my speech to you. May I dare point -out that this is dangerous--that Rohbar, long a guard officer, is -skilled in every weapon--" - -"Elonie, you now make it impossible for me to withdraw, without being -thought cowardly," I said. I put my hand to the saber I wore. "Is there -a quiet place apart? Let the two of us fight." - -Rohbar was quiet again, in the hands of his captors. He now spoke, -almost as gently as Elonie: "I have no friends here. The fight might -not be fair." - -"Nonsense," I snapped, and looked past the little group. There was a -face I knew--the man with the deep voice. "You," I hailed him, "come -here." - -He came respectfully, and stood at attention. - -"Who are you?" I asked. - -"Klob is my name, great Yandro. Under-officer of the guard." - -"Klob, do you know Rohbar?" - -"I do, sir." - -"If I, Yandro, ordered you to act as second for a man in a duel, would -you perform the office faithfully?" - -He braced more stiffly to attention. "Though I died for it, sir." - -"You shall not die, but be commended if you do well. Represent Rohbar -in the formal duel he is about to fight." - -"As Yandro commands. And his adversary--the man he will fight?" - -"Me." - - * * * * * - -Klob was embarrassed, and so were the others. I spoke sharply. "Am -I the one you take for your war leader? Then obey. This man has -threatened me. I have been placed in a position where I must fight or -be thought cowardly. Come into this passageway." - -They followed me. Nobody was in the corridor. I spoke again, and they -released Rohbar. "What weapon?" I asked him. - -"Ray-sabers," he growled, and drew his. A touch of his thumb on the -hilt-stud, and it glowed brilliantly. - -"I shall be second to Yandro, if it pleases him." That was Doriza, my -appointed aide. But I waved her back. - -"Since we fight, partially at least, for you, it is not well that you -take, sides," I reminded. "I need no seconds. If play does not continue -fair, I can change it." - -I drew my own ray-saber. My thumb, seemingly wiser than my blank brain, -touched the stud and the blade pulsed out its heat-rays. Those of the -Council who had come along moved back out of the way. Rohbar and I -touched blades, and the fight was on. - -From the first, it was no contest. - -[Illustration: _And then I, Yandro, was upon the officer._] - -Rohbar wore armor, on chest and head, while I fought without. He was in -a cold rage, and I was only puzzled. Despite his lesser height, he had -strangely long arms, that gave him an inch or two of reach beyond mine. -But he was like a child before me. Indeed, I had leisure to observe -myself, to wonder and puzzle over my own skill. I knew this weapon, -that should be strange to me, as if it were born a part of me. Rohbar -slashed and fenced; I parried easily, almost effortlessly. Avoiding an -engagement, I clanged home against his armored flank. He moaned and -swore, for even through that metal protection the heat of the blade -must have hurt him. A moment later I sped a back-hand blow that knocked -his helmet flying. He threw caution to the winds, and charged close. So -sudden was his attack that I was caught almost unawares, and parried -his blade within inches of my own chin. Our blades crossed, close to -the guards, and we stood for a moment looking into each other's eyes at -a bare foot's distance. - -"You ignorant fool!" he spat at me. "To be made a tool, and then to -_believe_--" - -"Silence, you crawling informer!" bawled Gederr, and his deadly warning -startled Rohbar, who sprang back from me. At the same time I advanced -in my turn, touched his blade as if to engage, then cut under quickly -and came solidly home where the neck and shoulders join. - -The ray-mechanism in my weapon hummed and sang. A great red spark -leaped from the point of contact, and Rohbar, stricken with heat and -current alike, spun around like a top. His saber fell, and he went down -beside it. There was life in him, for he struggled up on an elbow, -turning an agonized face toward me. - -"You haven't forgotten _that_ skill!" he cried, as if charging me with -a crime. "Have you forgotten anything, then? Are you truly here without -memory, or are you a traitor to--" - -Gederr stepped close to him. He leveled a pistol-device, which threw -rays. Rohbar suddenly lacked a head. - -"That was the most merciful thing to do," said Gederr, holstering his -weapon. "Send someone to drag the rest of him away." He faced me. -"Yandro will please accept my admiring congratulations. What better -proof of his great gifts and high destiny than this easy conquest -of one who was judged skilful with the ray-saber." He strode toward -the sound of faint music. "Come, you others. The entertainment has -certainly not been spoiled." - - * * * * * - -I switched off my saber's power, and sheathed it. I had just killed a -man, because I felt I had to, but I had no sense of triumph. I walked -at the rear of the group, Doriza moving respectfully beside me. - -"Doriza," I said, "he tried to tell me something. What?" - -She shook her head. "I did not know Rohbar's mind." - -"Yet he felt close to you. Wanted to fight to keep you from me. That's -another thing. Why did you ask me if I wanted you?" - -She smiled a little, with a certain shy humor. "Do not all things on -Dondromogon belong to Yandro?" - -I smiled back. "Doriza, perhaps I should act complimented. Yet it seems -to me that Gederr and Elonie told you to make the offer. And I'm not -sure--I can say this to my personal aide, can't I?--that I want any -favors at their hands." - -"Or at mine?" And she smiled again. - -"Come off it, Doriza, you're not the best of flirts. Shall we take a -drink together? It wasn't pleasant, killing that man, though you don't -seem to mourn him." - -Back in the great chamber, a sort of cloud of light was thrown in -the center by several reflectors, and a sort of motion picture show -was going on in the midst of it. I drank much, but the wine did not -affect me greatly. Finally I felt tired, and said so. Gederr and Doriza -escorted me to sumptuous apartments, where I quickly slept. - -I do not know how many hours I lay asleep, but I woke refreshed. A -breakfast of strange synthetic foods was waiting, on a lift that rode -up in a slot of the wall. I ate with relish, took a brisk shower in a -room behind my sleeping quarters, and resumed the costume of Yandro. -Then came a buzz at the door, and a voice came through a speaker -system: "Gederr requests that Yandro admit him." - -I opened the door. Gederr was there, and Doriza behind him. I felt the -gaze of her blue eyes, very soft and pretty. Gederr smiled respectfully. - -"We have talked much about the duel, we of the Council. It is agreed -that great Yandro's value is more than inspirational. If a single -combat could be arranged, with some champion of the Newcomers, ill be -their fate! Some boasting successor to Barak--" - -"Barak," I repeated and wondered again why his name stuck so in my -fogged mind. "I--I do not know how to say it, but I seek no quarrel -with Barak. I do not fear him, or anyone else; but I do not wish to -fight him." - -"Barak is dead," snapped Gederr, quite ungraciously. "Yandro need have -no apprehensions." - -"I have said I fear nobody," I reminded, stiff and lofty. - -Gederr bowed. "Who could doubt it? But to return to our talk of battle; -at the South Pole an inner blaze of flame from within Dondromogon has -kept opposing forces from contacting each other. Only here at the -North Pole can we fight, and there has been a lull since--since the -destruction of their champion, Barak. We have taken advantage to hollow -out a great pocket underground. See, I will show you." - -He went to a little televiso screen, and switched on the power, then -dialed. I saw a great domed cavern, larger than the hemisphere room -of last night's recreation period. Around its edges toiled men with -ray-batons, shaping and enlarging. - -"Elsewhere we have set up cunning defenses," explained Gederr. "Great -force-fields, that interfere with their digging advance. But at one -point we have purposely allowed their advance tunnels to come along -easily. What you see here is behind that point. We fall back--" - -"Fall back?" I repeated. - - * * * * * - -Gederr winked. "Their forces will follow, and fill this chamber. -Beyond, we have entrenchments, sortie tunnels, weapons. And the -floor of the chamber is mined--enough explosive even to wreck those -power-shields. Their van, with its heavy equipment, will perish. We'll -wipe out the others easily!" - -"How many?" ventured Doriza. - -"Who can say?" Gederr responded. "They are many, but most of them must -work to sustain life and action in the section of Dondromogon they have -seized. They have not the sunken cities, the synthesizing advances, the -other time-seasoned devices for living that we have developed. Several -hundred fighting men, not many more than ours, are all that can be sent -against us." - -"Are they brave?" I demanded. - -"They have stubborn courage. They will rush after their comrades who -fall. Perhaps if we capture a few, they will try a rescue. It will -bring them to defeat--us to glory!" - -His voice rose in exultation, and I chose to disagree. - -"Not glory, Gederr. We can claim cunning for such a plan--yes. The -pride of successful ambush and deceit--yes. But there is hardly any -glory in trickery. Not as I see it, anyway." - -He bowed again. "Great Yandro is bravest of the brave, but his thoughts -are those of the First Comers, ages ago. He does not understand modern -sophistication and practicality." - -"I understand the practicality," I assured him, "but I don't glory -in it. A fair combat, like the one last night with Rohbar, is like a -game--grim, but like a game. Not so these strategems and pitfalls, -which are only an unpleasant job to be done." - -"The strategems need not affect Yandro," stated Gederr. "As for a -simple single combat, I say that will be arranged. We broadcast, -Yandro will remember, a warning and a challenge. The enemy has sent -back a message that they are making ready a fighter to face anyone we -can furnish." - -"I see," said I. "Well, they speak my language." Both Doriza and -Gederr started violently, and stared. "Probably they are simple of -battle-viewpoint, like me. They'll blunder easily into your trap." I -said those last two words to assure Gederr that I considered the whole -deception his. "Now, when is all this to happen?" - -"Perhaps within twenty hours. Perhaps within thirty." - -"I feel like a puppet," I said. "Like the figurehead poor Rohbar -called me. Perhaps I am, and perhaps it is as well, because I'm not -in tune with your strategy. Understand me, I see its need and its -practicability. That is all I see, though." - -"Will Yandro walk forth?" asked Doriza. "There are troops waiting to be -reviewed." - -We went into a corridor, and entered one of the purring vehicles. It -took us away--toward the fighting sector, I judged--and I dismounted in -a great low stretch of subterranean cavern. This was lighted by great -glowing bulbs hung to the ceiling, and men were drawn up in triple -rows, armed and at attention. An officer was speaking to them, and -toward one side stood the two unarmed men, under guard. - -"Not yet, mighty Yandro," counselled Doriza beside me. "There is--a -ceremony." - -I could hear the officer speaking, though not clearly: - -"In this moment, the eve of certain triumph over the enemy, two men see -fit to circulate lies that calculate to dismay and destroy our plans. -For them is only one fate, as judged by the Council. Attention to that -fate!" - -The two unarmed men were marched forward. I stared and scowled. - -"I've seen them before," I said to Doriza. "The broad face of one--the -figure of the other! Aren't they--" - -"Yes!" Doriza said tonelessly. - -The officer lifted his hand, with a disintegrator pistol in it. Pale -green rays leaped. The two familiar figures gyrated, great parts of -them vanished. They fell, and two men carried the bodies away. - -"They were the two guards I first met!" I cried. - -"Yes," she agreed softly. "Men who served under Rohbar, and who spoke -rebelliously because Yandro killed him. They said that Yandro was not -Yandro." - -I smiled ruefully. "From the first they didn't seem to believe that. -Nor did Rohbar. Nor did you, until Sporr identified me." I looked into -her blue eyes, calculatingly. "It comes to mind, Doriza, that of all -who doubted me you are the only one left alive." - -"I, too, have thought that," she said, and her voice was quiet but not -frightened. "Perhaps my turn is next." - -I shook my head. "I seem to have power on Dondromogon, and I will not -let you be destroyed without more warrant than I see now." - -"Yandro is kind," she said. - -"And Doriza is attractive," I rejoined. "Well, that unpleasant little -formality seems to be at an end. Shall we inspect the troops?" - - * * * * * - -So saying, I moved forward. The officer in charge saluted and -accompanied me on my inspection. The first two ranks of soldiers were -men of various builds and feature, solemn-looking fellows for the most -part. The first rank was headed by Klob, whom I had named for Rohbar's -second last night. I was struck by the efficient air of their armor and -equipment, as contrasted with their almost frail physiques. Again I -thought, the stock of Dondromogon's natives must be running down. - -The third rank was women. - -They, too, wore armor, and bore weapons and tools, but I judged that -they were more of a reserve than a first fighting force. More thoughts -coursed through my head--if my earlier memories were departed, they -left the more room for recent happenings and speeches. The Council had -insisted that it was necessary to keep the population of Dondromogon -small, for the sake of good living. Yet it seemed false reasoning if -even women must be armed for battle. And the women, on the whole, were -better specimens than the men. They were not large--none anywhere near -as tall as Elonie or as compactly vigorous as Doriza--but seemed -healthy and intelligent for the most part, and some were even handsome. -One or two gave me an appraising, admiring look, such as soldiers -should not give frankly to commanders. - -I concluded the inspection, and returned to a position in front of the -force. "At ease," I bade them. "I have words to say. - -"Some, at least, must have seen me last night at the recreation hour. I -spoke then as to the general population of Dondromogon. Now I speak to -you specifically, as soldiers facing battle duty. Your commanders think -that the time is at hand for a victorious termination of the war with -those strangers you call the Newcomers." - -I paused, and watched the expressions of my listeners. At the phrase, -"termination of the war," some of them positively yearned. As Gederr -had admitted, the commoners of Dondromogon wanted no more fighting. -Perhaps my coming was indeed by providence, to bring peace. A better -peace, I now decided, than they had ever known. - -"When the war is over," I went on, "I propose to lead you still. Since -I am accepted as a leader, I have a right to do that. It seems that -your health and happiness will be bettered if, in some way, we achieve -a new conquest--conquest of the outdoors. There may be storms, but -there are also natural sunlight and fresh air. Yes, and perhaps fresh -natural foods, that will strengthen you more than synthetics. Does that -appeal to you?" - -Plainly it did. - -"As to the Newcomers, I do not know them. Yet it seems that, with the -fighting ended, some friendly agreement may be reached. If they do -not harm us, they may help us. That will follow victory. I feel thus -assured. That is all I have to say." I faced the officer in charge. -"Take over." - -Doriza and I walked away, back to our vehicle. "Where now?" I asked. - -For answer, she pointed to a white oblong on the inner wall of the -vehicle. It was a little screen, on which figures appeared. "Gederr -requests that we return to him. He feels that we may be too close to -possible violent action, and he is not yet ready that Yandro risk -himself." - -We rolled back toward the main passages of the community, and -eventually to an office, where Gederr was in close, muttered -conversation with Sporr and Elonie. They greeted my entrance in various -ways--Sporr with a senile smirk that he hoped was ingratiating, Elonie -with a most inviting smile, Gederr with blank embarrassment. Gederr -bowed and gestured toward an inner door. "Will Yandro pleasure me with -a private conference?" - -I bowed in turn, and followed him in. - -"I heard Yandro's words to the troops, by speaker system," he began -silkily. "Eloquent and inspiring--but Yandro must realize some salient -facts." - -"Such as?" I prompted. - -"The talk of friendly agreement with the Newcomers--ill be their fate! -They must be wiped clean off of Dondromogon." - -"Perhaps," I agreed, and he smiled. - -"I am honored that Yandro agrees so quickly--" - -"I said, perhaps. Because I do not know the Newcomers as yet. It may -be that they deserve death to the last man. But they may also deserve -honorable treatment, alliance even." - -He opened his mouth to speak again, but interruption came from outside. -Sounds of struggle, and the cry of Doriza: - -"Help me--help!" - -I bounded to the door and tore it open, injuring the automatic lock. An -officer stood in the outer office, and two soldiers had Doriza by the -wrists. I made a lunge, knocked one of them spinning against a wall. -"What is this?" I roared. "She is my aide." - -"Her arrest has been commanded," spoke up Elonie in a sullen voice. - -"Who commanded it? I countermand it!" I faced the roomful of protesting -faces. "You call me Yandro, your leader from divine source. Let me say -that nothing will happen to Doriza except by my will." - -Gederr spoke from the inner doorway: "Great Yandro speaks in riddles. I -had thought that he had no attachment for Doriza." - -"Oh, you tried to make me a gift of her last night," I exploded, "but -that has nothing to do with the present case. Doriza lives. She remains -free. Understand?" - -"Perhaps," mused Sporr, as if to himself. "There have been -accidents...." - -"Come," I said to Doriza. "To my quarters." I faced the others again. -"Danger to her shall be answered by me. Is it understood?" - -We rode silently in the vehicle, and came to the rooms set aside for -me. Once inside, I made sure that speaking tubes and televiso were -turned off. Then: - -"Doriza! There are things I do not know. Tell them to me." - -She hung her head. "They would have seen me dead, like the others, to -shut my mouth." - -"And I saved you. Now speak. All I seem to find familiar is the name of -Barak." - -She looked up again. "You remember the name?" - -"Faintly. Vaguely. But what is happening just beyond my knowledge?" - -She caught me by the forearm, her small, strong hands gripped like -vises. - -"I'll tell you! Tell you everything! Those devils of the Council have -long exploited and drained Dondromogon--with lies about the First -Comers, and the exclusive use of science! The Newcomers are to be -trapped through you, the natives deluded through you! But you--you are -to die when your usefulness is through!" - -"They'd do that?" I demanded. "After they name me as Yandro, their -legendary hero?" - -"That's part of the great lie!" And Doriza was sobbing. "You aren't -Yandro--you're _Barak of the Newcomers_!" - - - V - -I stared at her, astounded, shocked--and suddenly remembering things. - -"Barak," I repeated foolishly. "Barak. Yes, I _am_ Barak. I--how did I -get here? Things are still so shadowy--but I'm beginning to recollect--" - -"Try," she begged. "Try hard. It's the only way you can save yourself. -Let me remind you; this world called Dondromogon was settled long ago -by adventurers. For centuries their descendants built up a luxurious -way of living. Messages filtered back to the old home planet--Earth, in -the Solar System--" - -"I remember that much," I told her. "Something about a group of chiefs -growing fat on the labor of the community, and killing those who -threatened to rival them?" - -"Yes. Calling those deaths necessary for the good of the race, but -preserving really the soft and easily ruled of the race. And an -expedition was sent, to point out that Dondromogon really was a colony -of Mother Earth. Gederr received the Newcomers with false welcome, and -tried to have them assassinated. But reinforcements arrived, and the -war goes on--" - -Again I did not let her finish. "And Gederr has been deceiving his -followers, by the line of talk I heard from him! That the Newcomers -are not rescuers or dealers of justice, but invaders and destroyers! I -remember that, too!" - -"Do you remember yourself?" she demanded. "Barak, the wonder warrior, -who met the enemy by twos and threes, and conquered them like flies, -like puffs of wind? Barak, mighty in battle, who offered to fight the -whole Council of Dondromogon single-handed? Who led one digging assault -after another, and who fell only to a stupid trick?" - -"I don't remember that last," I confessed. "It is in my mind that I was -somewhat rash, and had skill and luck enough to live in spite of my -rashness, through several combats." - -"No time for modesty!" she chided me, and smiled despite the -desperation of our plight. "You were a natural engine of warfare, -Barak. And once you pursued your retreating adversaries far--too -far--until it was Gederr himself who squirted anaesthetic gas upon you -and felled you, senseless. Then they gathered around you, like carrion -feeders, that whole Council, to see how they could profit best. And -Gederr and Elonie, with Sporr's help, made the decision." - -Her eyes held mine earnestly. "As you began to revive, with your wits -still unguarded and baffled, Sporr and Elonie hypnotized you. They both -know how to do that--" - -"I fought off Elonie's hypnotism last night," I remembered. - -"Because your knowledge of its danger remained in your subconscious. -After that, you were placed outside--naked, without memory or -knowledge. And a speaking device brought what would sound like a -cosmic voice of destiny. After that, all was prepared to draw you into -their plot as a tool." - -I groaned. It had been as simple and raw as all that. "But the legend -of Yandro?" I asked. - -She waved it aside. "Someone named Yandro did exist, in the old days -when Dondromogon was not Council-ridden. When he died, it was suggested -that he would return again in time of need. Many a time did Gederr -inspire some better-than-ordinary fighting man to face you, Barak, by -telling him that the soul of Yandro had wakened in him. But when you -fell into their hands and they decided to use you, they twisted the -legend to suit your coming--even with a picture and your own thumb -print to help convince you." She sighed. "Very few had seen your -capture. Only Rohbar and the two guards you saw die would recognize -you. Those three men, and myself, were in the farce." - - * * * * * - -"You!" I said, and gazed at her. That lost former life was creeping -back, like a dream becoming plain and fusing into reality. - -"You, Doriza! I--remember you--" - -"You should," she murmured, pink-cheeked. "We used to say kind things -to each other. With the Newcomers--remember?" - -"You were one of us--a year ago! A technician in the synthetics -department! But you vanished--and now you're here! Why?" - -"I--I--oh, don't ask me that!" - -I clutched her elbow, so fiercely that she whimpered. "Did you turn -traitor? Answer me, Doriza!" - -"You hurt me--don't--Barak, before you call me a traitor, answer this. -Are you wholly for destruction of this people of Dondromogon? Haven't -you changed?" - -"Why--why--" And I paused. "I want to crush the Council, but the -people--" - -"Barak, I want to help them, too! The people--and you, Barak!" She -looked at me beseechingly. "Can't you trust me?" - -My heart flopped over and over, like a falling leaf, but I could not -steel myself against her. "You were sweet once, Doriza, though you went -away from me." As if by long practice, my arm encircled her. - -"Believe me, I'm not a traitor," she whispered against my shoulder. "I -want to save you--and others--and myself--" - -I shook my head. "They want to kill you. They shan't. Let's defend -ourselves." - -For answer, she pointed to the door. A quiet humming sounded. I saw -that a panel bulged and vibrated. - -"Disintegrator," she whispered in my ear. - -I thrust her into a corner and moved close to the door-jamb. A moment -later the rayed panel fell away in flakes, and a man stepped through, -the officer who had tried to arrest Doriza. - -I clutched the wrist of the hand that held his disintegrator pistol, -and almost tore his head off with an uppercut. He went down, and -Doriza caught up his weapon as it fell. There was a spatter of sparks -as someone fired through the hole with electro-automatic pellets, but -already Doriza was using the ray to knock a lock from a door beyond. - -"One side," I heard Gederr growl from the corridor. "I have a -disintegrator, too. I'll open a hole too big for him to defend!" - -But we had hurried through the door Doriza opened. Beyond was a -vehicle, the same that had carried us earlier in the day. "In," she -said, took the controls. - -We rumbled away, not daring to speed and thus attract too much -attention. Doriza drove us toward the point where conflict was being -centered, and at a deserted stretch of the tunnelway braked us to a -halt. - -"We must know what they're doing about us," she said, and began to tune -the televiso apparatus. - -Figures leaped into view on the screen. I stared. Members of the -Council--I recognized them--were marshalled against a wall, as if for a -firing squad. And a firing squad faced them. Someone lifted a hand as -a signal. The line of soldiers lifted their electro-automatics. I saw -the play of sparks, heard the whip and thud of pellets. A form fell, -another, another. - -"They're rebelling!" I cried. "Overthrowing the Council! Somehow," and -my heart sang wildly, "they know the truth!" - -But Doriza put her hand on mine, and it trembled. "No, Barak. Watch." - -One of the riddled forms floundered and tried to rise. Elonie, no -longer lovely, but an agonized and gory victim. Someone stepped forward -and cooly shot her through the head. It was Gederr. - -He faced forward. They brought broadcasting equipment to him, and he -suddenly grew huge on the screen. - -"Attention," he bawled, "all true people of Dondromogon! We do not -hesitate to kill traitors, even the highest of rank! Those false folk -who made up the Council--they have died!" - -He paused, glared, and swallowed. "I, Gederr, have discovered their -plot! They foisted off upon us a man of the Newcomers as Yandro--caused -us to accept him as a hero, when he was only the tool of their plan to -betray and sell us!" - -A cheer came from somewhere, and he went on. - -"They are dead! I remain to lead and protect you! And my command is, -find the false spy we accepted as Yandro! Search for him, find him and -kill him!" - - * * * * * - -Doriza and I looked at each other. "Where now?" she asked. - -"Toward the battle zones," I replied. She closed a circuit and steered -us away. - -The main corridor was almost deserted--apparently non-combatants had -been cleared out in anticipation of the battle. Again the speaker began -to yammer, Gederr speaking again: - -"All defenses on alert! Watch for this man, falsely called Yandro--very -tall, strongly made, dark, young, scar on chin. He wears a red cloak. -With him is a woman of medium height, young, light brown hair, blue -eyes, more robust than common--" - -"Not flattering, are they?" Doriza said, and smiled. - -Up ahead, two guards gestured and bawled. One pressed a wall-button, -and a folding barrier crept across our way. "Vehicles out of running," -said a guard as we slowed up. - -"We're on the trail of those spies!" I yelled from the dark interior. -"Get that barrier out of our way!" - -They hesitated, and Doriza threw in the speed-ahead lever. We smashed -through and away. Cries rang in our wake, and slugs struck the rear of -the vehicle. Two burned clear through the metal. I opened a panel to -kick them out, and they scorched my foot, clear through the stout shoe -sole. - -"We must abandon this car, it's marked." Doriza was cutting speed. -"Let's jump, here in the shadows." - -I jumped through the open panel, and managed to stay on my feet, -catching and helping Doriza as she jumped after me. The car hummed -onward, and smashed loudly into the wall beyond. Guards ran into view -from a doorway, chattering loudly. - -Every back was toward us. We stole forward, and into the guardroom they -had abandoned. I saw dials and mechanism of both televiso and speaker -system. A couple of twists and pulls, and I had them out of commission. - -"Slovenly discipline," I growled. "They should have left at least one -man in charge." - -Dropping the telltale red cloak Doriza had given me--how long ago? -Yesterday?--I caught up instead a blue military cape, the property -of some officer. There was also an ornate helmet, which I jammed on -my head. "Stoop," Doriza counseled. "You're taller than any man on -Dondromogon. Now, maybe you'll get away with--whatever you're getting -away with." - -Emerging, I strode toward the wreck. A man saw my cape and helmet of -authority. "Attention!" he called, and they stiffened respectfully. - -"How close is the point of contact with the enemy?" I demanded with -official brusqueness. - -One pointed the way. "Not far, sir. We're the last message-relay -station. Everything's in order, and--" - -"Thanks," I said, and beckoned Doriza. We walked past. I wondered what -I could have done if these men had paused to think I might be the -culprit for whom Gederr was clamoring. - -Up ahead was a cross-tunnel, and beyond that a fork. We heard men -talking and moving in the distance. Doriza pointed to an inscribed door. - -"The way to the works below. I've seen it on the televiso. The mined -floor of the main chamber has a second cavern below." - -I scowled. "As I remember, Gederr said he had blocked all advance -tunnels of the Newcomers, except at one spot. What kind of explosives -will he use?" - -"Glare-rays," said Doriza. "You wouldn't know, Barak, the Newcomers -haven't any such. It's a special vibration-speed that sets atoms at -a pitch ready to fly violently apart. Anything it involves can be -exploded at the first touch of fire." - -"Anything?" I repeated. "Weapons, men, earth? Doriza, can you operate -such a ray?" - -"I think I can." - -"Then come," and I pushed open the panel. - -The elevator cage was waiting, and its operation not hard to study out. -Quickly we sped down and stepped forth into another great chamber, -bright and echoing. A sentry confronted us. - -"Your pass?" he demanded. - -I chose to bluster it out. "What kind of idling goes on here?" I -snapped at him. "I'm from the Council, to see if the report is -true--that you haven't made all ready for the ambush." - -"But we have," he protested. - -"You give me arguments, you insolent upstart? Where's your commander?" -I turned to face an officer that hurried up. "This sentry needs to be -disciplined, taught respect for his superiors," I scolded. "What have -you to say, sir, about the laxity and slowness of work here?" - -"But we're ready and more than ready," the officer assured me. "Look, -sir," and he pointed. "This whole cavern is dug out to completion, the -overhead roof thinned for the explosion. See the play of glares upon -it." - - * * * * * - -I looked, and nodded as if in sour agreement. The earth floor was a -maze of cables and coils, and here and there, strategically placed, -were little wheeled stands with mechanisms atop. From each of these -beat upward a cone of glaring golden light against the rough ceiling. -It blinded me to look at them. - -"The glares," Doriza murmured. - -I gazed at the men on duty. "Is nobody armed? What if the Newcomers get -in here?" - -The officer shook his head. "You know that weapons would be our own -destruction. Electro-automatics, disintegrators, ray-sabers--they all -give off flame. And a touch of flame in any one of these glare-fields -would explode the whole chamber, and the solid soil around it, into -atoms." - -I glanced toward the far end. "Up yonder I see no glares." - -"Of course not. Beyond and above is the point that coincides with -the narrow approach left for the Newcomers." The officer studied me -narrowly. "If you are from the Council, why are you ignorant of all -these things?" - -It would be a difficult question to answer plausibly, but I was spared -the task. Someone hurried from a little televiso shack and saluted the -officer. - -"Orders, sir. Important. We're to withdraw immediately. The Newcomers -are advancing, and the forces above will take over operation." - -"Of course," the officer said, and turned from me to shout commands. -Men began to hurry away past us, toward the elevator, eager to quit the -post of danger. - -"Come, Doriza," I said softly, and she followed me along a wall. -"Here's one of those explosion mechanisms. If we can bring it between -us--" - -She did something to turn it off, and we trundled it along on its -wheels. I pointed to the spot above which the entry-point was said to -be, and toward it we went, unchallenged and unnoticed. We reached the -earthy far wall, and it was steep, but with the point of my ray-saber -I dug pits for hands and toes. Up I scrambled to the ceiling. There I -paused, hanging like a bat. - -"Disintegrator," I called down to her. - -"Dare we?" - -"We must dare!" - -She tossed me the disintegrator pistol. I turned it on and fate favored -me once again. No explosion occurred. I tunnelled upward, upward, and -climbed up the slanting chimney-like tunnel I made. Moments later, I -broke into open air above. - -I was in a necklike passage. Lying flat, I looked each way. To one hand -was a great cavern, the ambush-space, in which Dondromogon's warriors -were cautiously ranging themselves. Opposite was a wide tunnel, empty -as yet--a work of the Newcomers, into which this passage had been -invitingly opened by the defenders. I was not observed as, rising to -my knees, I tore my cape into strips and knotted them into a line. - -I lowered it. "Fasten on the glare-ray," I told Doriza, and when she -had done so I drew it up. After it climbed Doriza herself. - -"Now what?" she demanded. "I haven't had time to ask." - -"Turn on the glare. Like that, yes--set it against one wall, and let it -fall on the opposite, to fill this little passageway through which they -must pass to fight each other." - -The golden glow sprang into being. At the same moment a shout rose from -the direction of the corridor. A patrol of Newcomers appeared, and -others behind. - -I sprang erect. - -"Attention, all!" I roared at the top of my lungs. "Fire no shots, send -no rays, or you will all perish in the explosion! You came to fight, -exterminate! But I--I, Barak, the foremost fighter on this planet--am -here to see that it does not happen!" - -And I drew the saber at my side. - - - VI - -I struck a pose as I stood there. I hoped that a grim and heroic -attitude might give them pause. - -"It's Barak!" said an officer at the forefront of the Newcomers. - -"Barak!" echoed a warrior of Dondromogon. I heard a rattle and clink of -weapons. - -"Remember," I made haste to call out, "a bullet or ray will tear this -place--and both forces--to bits! I'll perish, and so will every man on -either side, as far as the explosion reaches!" - -The Newcomers were only a trifle mystified, but the Dondromogon party, -which knew what was beneath us, wavered. Those in the front rank -appeared to give back a little. The Newcomers saw this beyond me, and -made to move forward. Their officer, he who had recognized me, gestured -outward with his arms to make some sort of battle formation. "Rush -through," he said, "and fight it out in the clear beyond." - -"Come on if you dare!" blared an officer of Dondromogon. - -"Let nobody dare," I said, "unless he thinks he can fight his way past -me." - -The Newcomers paused in turn. "Barak," said the officer, "don't you -know us? Don't you know me?" - -I did know him, now that he spoke again. "You're Harvison, aren't you?" -I hailed him. "Don't be the first I must kill." I wheeled around. "My -challenge isn't to the Newcomers alone. I said, nobody shall pass -through. My sword, if not my voice, will stop this war, here and now." - -I heard a laugh, deep and familiar. Gederr had come among his troops. - -"That's logic for you!" he mocked me. "Barak was always a man of blood! -He'll kill us all to stop this slaughter. Someone finish him." - -One of his lieutenants spoke to two of the foremost men, who stepped -forward, rifles at the ready. - -"If they shoot--" began Doriza tremulously. - -"If they do, they destroy everyone!" I reminded yet again. "Come, who -dares. Swords if you will, but no fire!" - -The officer who had given the order stepped between the two soldiers, -saber drawn. "Ready to rush," he said. "My blade, your butts--" - -They approached, side by side. Their faces were set, grim. They -faltered for only a moment at the entry to the glare field. - -In that moment I rushed them. - -They hadn't expected that, three against one. I shouted, and hurled -myself at the soldier on the left. He made to dodge, and the officer -opposed his own saber; but I spun away from it and before the other -soldier knew my mind I was upon him. I could not use the ray in my -blade, but it drove past his hastily lifted gun-barrel and struck his -mailed shoulder so heavily that he dropped his weapon. Stepping in -close, I uppercut him with the curved hilt as with a mailed fist. - -Leaping over his falling form, I was upon the officer. A single twist, -and I had his saber in my left hand. Two blows sent him staggering -back. I parried a blow from the rifle-stock of the remaining soldier -with my left-hand blade, while with my right I stabbed him in the side. -He, too, retreated, clutching his wound. I waved my blood-streaming -weapons. - -"Who next?" I called. - -Harvison made stout reply: - -"You're mad, Barak. I know I'm no match for you, nobody is--but here I -come!" - -He came, and his fellows. They all tried to crowd at once into that -narrow corridor, and hampered each other. I had a mighty sweep with -both my swords, spanning twelve full feet with them--enough for my -purpose. At my first parry I turned aside three points at once, -disengaged, and got home on poor Harvison, through the shoulder. He -sank to one knee, and further impeded his friends. I made a sweeping -cut with both blades, and despite themselves they gave back. - -"This is monotonous," I taunted them. "Make it exciting." - -"Rush at his back," I heard Gederr yelling. - -"Careful!" Doriza warned me. And then another voice I knew, deep and -stout: - -"I won't let them! Yandro, or Barak, or whoever you are--I'm with you!" - -"Klob!" I yelled joyously over my shoulder. "I should have known I -could count on you!" - -He had rushed, facing about at my very shoulder-blades. I heard the -snick of his blade against another weapon. Doriza again cried a -warning, to Klob this time, and he scored on his adversary, for he -snorted triumphantly. Then the Newcomers surged at me again. - - * * * * * - -I could not kill my own people. I strove to wound only. Three staggered -back, out of the fight, but the others pressed me bravely. Both my -swords must be everywhere at once. My breath began to come quickly, my -mind floundered here and there for new stratagems. The saving answer -came, not from my own brain, but from Klob. - -"You!" I heard him address a new adversary. "You want to kill me? -Truly?" - -"Why--" panted the other. "Why, no--Klob--why kill--" - -"You were my friend!" Klob harangued him. "Turn here with me! A chance -for an end of war! Will you--won't you? If not, defend yourself, and I -could always fence better--" - -"I'm with you, Klob," the other agreed, rather sullenly. And then he -stood by Klob. - -At that moment I beat the biggest of my own adversaries to his knees, -and the others stood off. I stole a quick glance around. Klob had been -joined by his late opponent, a short but well-knit warrior armed with -both sword and rifle. It gave me hope and an inspiration. - -"Fools!" I said, pointing my swords. "You won't trust me, when I only -want to help you, and these other fools who have been fighting you! You -can't conquer me! So join me!" - -"Why?" - -That was Harvison, again on his feet, holding a bloody hand to his -wound. The query was enough to slow up the others. They listened, and I -had time and wit to reply. - -"A handful of rulers, with blind ambition, caused the war. They're -mostly gone. I want peace, a chance to bring both sides together." - -"Stop his traitor mouth!" cried someone far back. - -"Who's afraid to hear?" I yelled. "You almost walked into a trap, and I -stopped you. These defenders have mined the cavern beyond--" - -"He tells the truth, you Newcomers!" Klob seconded me. "If you can't -understand truth and tell it from lies--_look out_, they come!" - -He meant his own late comrades. Gederr had urged a fresh body at us. - -"Quick!" I cried. "They heard me tell of their ambush, they want to -silence me! Won't anyone help!" - -"I will," gurgled Harvison, wounded as he was. He stepped past me, -sword in his left hand, and engaged a Dondromogon warrior. Another big -Newcomer leaped forward to do likewise. I seized my opportunity. - -"Don't move without my order!" I addressed the remainder of Harvison's -party, as if they were my allies again. "These defenders have the -advantage of you in their planted explosives!" - -"Then destroy them some other way," growled an under-officer. - -I whirled toward the Dondromogon front. The attackers fell back. - -"You still scare any man you look at, Barak," said Harvison. He was a -little tottery from loss of blood, but game. "Well, shall we charge?" -He managed a grin. - -"I've been trying to keep you from doing that," I groaned. "I don't -want tragedy here and extermination afterward. Can't this world stand -peace--" - -"If you can do it," someone said behind me, "I give you full authority." - -I knew him. He was Dr. Thorald--high in the Newcomer command. With him -were the other leaders, Parkeson and Captain Cross. - -"Danger!" I gasped at them. "Don't come through here. Doriza, see that -they do not--" I looked for her. She was not there. - -"She slipped away while we fought," said Klob. "First setting the -glare-lamp to run--" - -My heart sank. "Which way did she go? Toward the Newcomers, or toward -Dondromogon?" - -"Toward Dondromogon," he said, and my heart sank the rest of the way. - -She had decided to betray me after all. - -"Wait here, all," I commanded, and moved clear of the glare-field. -Moved straight toward the host of Dondromogon. - -Gederr laughed again. I could read his thoughts. He had clinched his -own power by judicious murders. Now he thought I was in his hands. -"Shoot him down," he bade. - -"Let no man shoot," I warned. "A pellet flying past me will strike and -set off the glare-field. It's still swords, and in the open we can use -their rays." - -I flicked on my own. The blade glowed like hot iron. - -"Come and fight," I invited. "All of you. Or withdraw and explode this -trap on me alone." - -"He's tired of life," snarled Gederr, hidden in the ranks. - -"I'm tired of this fighting," was my reply. "If I die alone, the -Newcomer force remains intact. It can move upon you and force you to -peace. Men of Dondromogon, overthrow this coward tyrant Gederr, who -defends his pride and power with your bodies!" - -I think they indicated that they knew the truth of that, and Gederr -knew it, too. At any rate, he moved boldly to reestablish his influence. - -"I'll prove he lies! I hide nowhere!" The words fairly rang out. -"Retreat, quickly, to the positions behind. Leave me to face him." - - * * * * * - -They fell back, quickly and orderly. Of a sudden I found myself in that -big cave, and Gederr before me, no more than twenty paces distant. He -held his ray-saber, glowing and ready, in his right hand. In his left -was some sort of silvery cylinder. He grinned murderously. - -"You offer yourself as a sacrifice," he said, "and I accept you." - -I moved toward him, my body in line with the glare-field. - -"You overgrown bully-swordsman," he taunted. "An ounce of my brain can -defeat a ton of your big lumpy muscles." - -"Explode the mine," I said. "It will take us both. You can't retreat -out of both my reach and the explosion's." - -"Can't I?" - -He held up his cylinder. "Here's the fuse. By remote control it can set -off all, or any part I select. Understand before you die, Barak. I'll -blow up a small area, and you with it, as soon as you set foot where I -want." - -His broad face sniggered. "Oh, you've played into my hands from the -first! You tried to disrupt--you only gave me an excuse to wipe out the -rest of that Council, and take all power for myself. Now I'll kill you. -Will you come on? Or retreat, and die as you flee? Or just stand there, -like a captive statue?" - -I continued my advance upon him. "You're lying," I said, but my heart -told me that for once he was not. - -"Your life is in my hands," he said. "You don't know what moment will -see your own feet carrying you to your death. Come, pursue me, brave -Barak, stupid Barak. Let your last thought be this--your death helps me -immeasurably." - -"You're lying," I said again, and he laughed again. - -"Reflect. Let your thick skull filter these facts. I shall destroy you. -To my followers I will be a hero. Your own Newcomers will pause and -wonder. I can re-order my defenses, and most of the planted mines will -remain to check any advance--" - -Forgetting all caution, all planning, I charged him. He turned and ran -like Dondromogon's outer winds. - -But I had taken no more than half a dozen steps in pursuit when all the -thunders and lightnings of the universe seemed to burst around me. - -I fell, swiftly and deeply, into black nothingness. - - * * * * * - -I was able to establish which way was up, which down, and that I lay -horizontally, as if floating in liquid or upon clouds. My ears hummed a -trifle, and a voice spoke. - -"He will be all right." - -Dr. Thorald! I opened my eyes, and they were blurred. I lifted a hand -to them, and moaned despite myself. - -"Were you killed, too?" I muttered. - -"Killed? Not me. Nobody was killed, except that fat pig you met in the -cavern. Not enough of him left to make a funeral worth while." Thorald -looked behind him. "Ahoy, Parkeson! Cross! Barak's going to be all -right." - -The other two heads of the Newcomer expedition pushed into view, and -looked down upon me where I lay. - -"High time," grumbled Parkeson. "They're yelling for him--both sides. -Barak, you'll have to drop all your weapons and take up political -economy. I greatly fear you'll have a world to run." - -"World?" I echoed stupidly. "What world?" My head cleared a bit. -"Where's Doriza?" - -"The fighting's over," Parkeson soothed me. "Just as you forced it to -be. I'm still trying to decide whether you were an epic hero or an epic -idiot, there at the crossways of battle, making us all stop, or fight -you! But your hunch paid off. The entire Council of Dondromogon is -dead, and--" - -"Doriza," I said again. - -"Somebody named Klob, a sturdy soldierly chap, is taking charge. An -old sneak named Sporr tried to foment a counter-rising, but Klob -disintegrated him. However, the army of Dondromogon still holds an -inner defense--says it doesn't trust us quite. Wants only you to assure -it that we mean peace. Feel like getting up, Barak?" - -Dr. Thorald leaned over. "You've engineered this yourself, Barak, or -maybe you didn't engineer it--maybe you only bulled it through. So I -won't put words in your mouth, or thoughts in your head. But tell those -deluded people to start by trusting us. And you know that they can. -Nobody wanted war less than I. Peacetime endeavor on Dondromogon is -quite difficult and exciting enough." - -"Doriza," I said yet again, and then, "All right, gentlemen. You won't -tell me about her. Maybe you don't dare. But how did I survive?" - -"Oh, that?" put in Captain Cross. "Don't you know? The explosion was -set off prematurely, to trap and destroy Gederr. It blew him to atoms, -but you were clear of it. You had a bad tumble into the lower chamber--" - -Now I sat up. "Never tell me that he bungled it that badly! Gederr was -a tyrant and coward and murderer, but not a bungler!" - -"He was to some extent. Is your head clear? Now we can begin to -explain." - -Cross subsided, and Dr. Thorald took up the tale: "We sent a spy among -them, a long time back, a spy that would pretend to be renegading -from us. The spy was good, but got a rather visionary idea, like your -own--that peace was better than war between us." - -"Practically treason," opined Parkeson sagely. - -"We might have held a court-martial and an execution," went on Dr. -Thorald, "but for you. Because you seemed to plan out all this -Horatius-at-the-bridge coup. And just when we thought it had achieved -success--we thought you were failing." - -"And up bobs our ex-spy, and sets off the explosion," chimed in Cross. -"Sets it off to destroy Gederr and save you. And that left them without -a leader to order battle, and they were more than glad to talk peace." - -"What," I growled, "has all this to do with Doriza?" - -"Why," grinned Dr. Thorald, "they're yelling for her, too, to lead -in the final peace talks. Because, you see, she was our spy, our -pseudo-renegade, who set off the explosion!" - -Doriza came forward to where I had sagged back on the pillows. At sight -of her smile, I thought no more of strife and wounds and worries. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Warrior of Two Worlds, by Manly Wade Wellman - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WARRIOR OF TWO WORLDS *** - -***** This file should be named 63097.txt or 63097.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/0/9/63097/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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