diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64723-0.txt | 2135 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64723-0.zip | bin | 35758 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64723-h.zip | bin | 525054 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64723-h/64723-h.htm | 2335 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64723-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 259274 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64723-h/images/illus.jpg | bin | 228521 -> 0 bytes |
9 files changed, 17 insertions, 4470 deletions
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..3ec7b5d --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #64723 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64723) diff --git a/old/64723-0.txt b/old/64723-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 8a80862..0000000 --- a/old/64723-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2135 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of In the Sphere of Time, by J. W. Pelkie - -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 -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: In the Sphere of Time - -Author: J. W. Pelkie - -Release Date: March 06, 2021 [eBook #64723] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN THE SPHERE OF TIME *** - - - - - In The Sphere of Time - - By J. W. PELKIE - - Proud Prince Toka had faced--and outwitted--death - and disaster before. Yet in this weirdly glowing - underworld of Kosanna, peopled by the soft, - silvery-eyed ones, there waited a thing he - could not defy--destruction of his soul! - - [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from - Planet Stories Summer 1948. - Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that - the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - - _Once upon a time there was a world as bright and fair as youth. - It spun its green and golden beauty in an envelope of blue sky - while whirling around a blazing white sun.... But beneath the - enchanting surface of this world, in a blackness as deep as the - void of eternity, thirteen pairs of silvery eyes glowed at a - great crystal sphere. The cold air was strung with a thin thrumming - as twelve anciently quavering male voices rose and fell in echoing - chant._ - - "_Great Prince Toka comes--down the river of Brown of the Outer - World. O let the fishes be told! O let the choral begin! For the - time ordained is coming to pass!_" - - * * * * * - -In sun-gold briefs and matching sandals, Toka's lean muscled maleness -rippled as he swung the sweep pole of the racing raft. Ahead on each -bow corner were balanced the rangy Rok and the youthfully gray Old -Ledo, each with long pole ready to clear the swift raft through roiling -brown water. In mid-raft, the exquisitely blonde Roya and the sultry -dark Elees lounged carefreely on the great pelt of a saber-toothed Big -Cat. - -There was a sudden familiar roar from the far right shore. The -colorfully flowered jungle spread away to rugged red hills that formed -the north shoulder of this great valley. Midway bulged a large grassy -butte, atop which was poised a colossal slick-skin dinosaur. Smiling, -Toka raised an arm to the distant reptile. Red eyes beaming fiercely, -the Big Snake yawned its cavernous maw and blasted away a mighty roar. - -Roya laughed gayly. "All hail to Toka--Prince of Sandcliff and King of -the Dinosaurs!" - -"Look smart ahead!" Old Ledo snapped suddenly. - -The party's attention leaped back to the job of piloting the craft -through roaring white rapids. Then ahead stretched smooth brown water -again. To the left here, a long cliff towered up from the river. - -The dark Elees seemed thrilled. "This is the way to travel!" - -Roya breathed happily. "From now on--" - -Toka stiffened as above the river's deep murmur came human voices in -exquisite choraling. - -Roya glanced to Toka. "But there isn't a sign of human habitation -anywhere!" - -Toka had already placed the direction. "In that cliff." - -Roya wrinkled her nose. "Rubbish." - -Then from that cliff came a strange wail. "Tooookaaaa!" It was repeated -over and over. "Tooookaaaa! Tooookaaaa!" - -The raft nosed around into a broad channel that curved lazily into a -cavernous maw in the cliff. The walls and roof glowed with a soft light -and the choraling of Toka's name came clear and stronger. Toka let the -raft drift. - -"The river is certainly slow enough in there," Roya mused. - -"We could pole our way out easily enough," Elees reflected. - -Old Ledo looked at these impetuous ones. "We could not come back -another time--when Sandcliff would know where we were going!" - -"But what can happen?" Rok protested. "We've got our battle-axes--even -Elees and Roya have theirs!" - -Old Ledo's unimpressed glance went to mid-raft. There were three great -black battle-axes and two smaller ones. - -In that instant Toka weighed the pro and con. "We'll go in a little -way." - -Roya and Elees swiftly placed each man's battle-ax handy then balanced -easily in mid-raft with their own light weapons. The lazy current -guiding the raft, the men shipped their poles. - -Roya suddenly pointed over the side of the raft. "Look! glowing -fish--in all colors!" - -"But how vicious looking!" Elees exclaimed. - -Roya reached into the party's food basket. "I'll toss them a porkchop!" - -The chop plopped into the river. The water churned violently--and -calmed. The fish had devoured the chop almost instantly! The river was -swarming with the vicious creatures now. And the raft was moving faster -than the river--a school of the fish adhering to the craft and driving -it! - -As Toka swiftly used the sweep, Rok and Old Ledo thrust their poles -as brakes. But the water roiled violently and in instants the fish -shredded sweep and poles off at the water line. Above the party's heads -the choraling slowly rose in volume. As the raft rounded a huge bend, -Toka felt his nerves tighten. - -The luminous cavern and its river straightened and flowed between -colossal green pillars set close together from wall to wall and from -roof down into the river. The raft was only twenty paces from the -colossal grill and being driven inexorably toward it. The choraling of -Toka's name came through even clearer.... - -"Look!" Roya exclaimed. - - * * * * * - -Rising silently, the massive columns hung from the roof like green -fangs. The fish drove the raft on, and the columns descended with -a watery whisper. The cavern widened. From the right bank, fields -and forests stretched away. On the left bank was a city of spheroid -structure. Massed along the banks and bridges, the choralers were -human, their green attire but scantily adequate, their titian hair worn -in a loop between the shoulders. - -The raft scraped gently against a wharf and Toka led his party ashore. -As the patriarchal dignitaries stepped forward, Toka noted another -universal characteristic--all these strange people had pale silvery -eyes. - -But Roya was startled by something else. "Toka! Those figurines on -their necklaces are perfect likenesses of you!" - -The oldest patriarch was reverent. "Yes, fair Roya. All Kosanna wears -Great Prince Toka's divine likeness." - -Toka glanced a warning to his startled comrades--_accept this situation -and play along_. - -"Great Prince Toka," the patriarch bid. "Your palanquins await your -divine pleasure." - -Toka lounged into the one bearing his likeness on its sides. Roya and -the others occupied the rest. The procession wound through the city, -into a great square packed with choraling Kosannans and toward a -colossal statue that was Toka, even to his royally engraved weapons! - -On the great white altar base black braziers were being lit by -beautiful girls. As the procession came beside the altar, a girl -with a jeweled wand stepped down to march on the right side of -Toka's palanquin. The way led on across the square and to a great -white-and-gold stairway that rose away to an immense domed palace. -All choraling abruptly ceased and the bearers gently lowered the -palanquins. Toka and party stepped out. - -The old patriarch assumed a ceremonial pose. "O Great Prince Toka. No -farther may we lowly ones travel." He bowed to the girl with the wand. -"May you and the Princess Wanda now ascend to your divinely ordained -tasks." - -Aware of Roya's sarcastically raised eyebrow, Toka played on. "Lead up, -good Princess Wanda." - -Halfway up the long stairway, Rok frowned. "What gets me--" - -A great gong throbbed urgently. - -Wanda whirled. "O great Prince Toka! Your first test is at hand!" She -raced away for the distant summit of the stairway. - -In moments the square and city below were deserted. Toka and the men -formed a V around Roya and Elees. - -"What's that flapping sound?" Roya puzzled. - -Toka trained his eyes on that distant cavern into which the river -vanished after passing Kosanna. And from that black hole shot six -huge dragons! Mottled a pale yellow and green and equipped with great -wings, their sinuous lengths tapered to a series of blue rattles. Their -triangular skulls were set with unwinking pink eyes. From their upper -jaws great yellow fangs curved down to vicious pin-points. - -As the dragons streaked for his party, Toka's powerful being sang for -action and his great battle-ax was a whistling blur. His voice was -cool. "Take their fangs first!" - -The dragons' huge rattles began vibrating angrily. One dragon shot on -for the top of the stairway. Hissing viciously, the remaining ones -ganged in for Toka and company. - -Toka's battle-ax cracked true and sent fangs spinning away. Clear venom -dripping from the stumps, the dragon instantly recoiled in violent -pain. But another came streaking in. Again Toka's battle-ax shot true -in that one-two cracking and a second victim convulsed violently and -collided with the angry others. All five were a wild melee over the -square. - -A scream slashed through the din. Toka glanced. Blue tail coiled about -Wanda, the sixth dragon was winging away. - -"Here they come again!" Rok warned. - -Having untangled themselves, the five unburdened dragons were tearing -back to the attack. - -Toka's command was cool and taut. "Serve it straight!" - -His whistling battle-ax struck between a set of those blazing eyes and -tore through in a bloody shower. In violent death throes, the monster -was piling onto the stairway. But another was hurtling in. Again Toka's -vicious battle-ax tore home and another dragon was piling down. - -A slimy scaliness whipped around Toka's legs. His battle-ax butchered -huge coils but others replaced them with crushing power and great wings -pounded him. - - * * * * * - -Then he saw a coil whip around Roya and a terrible strength surged from -his depths. His mighty ax was a screaming viciousness. He was free and -leaping for Roya and slashing those coils from her. He snatched her -clear and whirled to catalog the battle scene. The surviving dragons -were retreating hurriedly into the down-river cavern. - -The mysterious gong of Kosanna was instantly exultant. The people began -pouring from hiding. Princesses were gathering atop the stairway, and -from all Kosannan throats came a great cheer. - -But Toka was anxiously eyeing the gore-spattered Roya. "All right now?" - -As she restored her sun-gold briefs to flattering modesty, Roya's blue -eyes fondly held him. "How about yourself?" - -Shifting his own gory briefs aright, Toka grinned. "Looking for a -bath." - -Elees joined them. "If this crazy place has a bath!" - -Turning from the mess of heads, coils and wings strewn down the great -stairway, Toka led the way on up. - -"Hey!" Rok urged sardonically. "Listen to what those palace girls up -yonder are yodeling!" - -"'Ascend, ascend, ascend!'" Roya mimicked sarcastically. "'Ascend, O -Great Prince Toka! Ascend to your divine abode!'" Roya's last remark -was not in mimicry. "Blah, blah, blah!" - -"Watch yourselves," Toka warned quietly as they neared the terrace. - -The princesses formed a cortege about Toka and party. In the concave -entry of the palace, a princess with a black wand waited alone. - -An odd exaltation was in her voice. "O Great Prince Toka. Welcome to -your divine palace. I am Princess Alota." With a bow, she turned and -led them down an immense hall. "Great Prince Toka's Hall Of Life," -Alota intoned. - - * * * * * - -Beginning on the inner sides of the great entry portals, art work -progressively lined the walls and the many sets of huge doors. In -exquisite execution it portrayed Toka's eventful life from birth -in distant Sandcliff to his latest victory--exactly as it had all -occurred! But ahead for fully a hundred paces the Hall stretched green -and bare, except for a huge bas-relief of Toka on the set of doors at -the far end. - -"How can they know all this?" Elees puzzled softly. - -"And why," Roya worried quietly, "don't they show the rest of the -future?" - -Toka was gentle but royally commanding. "Princess Alota, why has this -not been finished?" - -Alota answered humbly. "As Great Prince Toka knows all, so he knows his -Hall Of Life cannot be extended until the divinely ordained times." -Leading them to the pair of doors at which the Hall ended, Alota -touched her wand to each, then stood obsequiously aside as the portals -began swinging away. "O Great Prince Toka. Your personal rooms." - -Old Ledo strolled in last and the great doors began swinging to. - -"O Great Prince Toka," Alota bid. "When you have refreshed yourself, -we shall return to escort you to your banquet." - -As the doors snugged together, Toka was to them, ear to the crevice -where they joined. - -"Well?" Rok urged impatiently. - -"Gone back up the Hall." Toka pressed this side of the doors. No action. - -"We could tune up our little axes on them," Rok suggested laconically. -Toka hesitated. - -Old Ledo was dry. "Perhaps we'll meet the so-called brains of this mad -society at that banquet." - -"Likely." Toka joined in cataloguing the room. - -Windowless, and illumined by the softly glowing ceiling, it was a -restful lounge room. Roya pushed open the plain green door at the -rear. Battle-axes idling, Toka and the others followed. A short -cross-corridor led into luxurious bedrooms. The left one had three -large beds, the right two huge ones. - -"Everything for every one of us," Roya mused. - -"But no bath!" Elees complained. - -"I've found it!" Rok shouted. - -All followed him through the door opposite the lounge room. The newest -room was all green. Around the pool ran a generous width of stone floor. - -Dropping her ax, Elees ran for the white diving board. Her voice rang -in merry challenge. "Last one in is a glue-foot!" - -Rok raced after her. "Not me!" - -Roya abruptly flung her arm around Toka's neck and tumbled them both -in--and the water frolic was on. - -Refreshed and clean again, the party split to the respective bedrooms. -Toka faced Rok and Old Ledo. "Any ideas?" - -"The Kosannans we've seen so far," Old Ledo offered, "are anything but -combative." - -"We could butcher them by the hundreds." Rok toyed with his battle-ax. -"Only...." - -"Perhaps," Toka hoped as he led for the lounge room, "we'll learn -something definite at that banquet." - -Roya and Elees were waiting. At once a reverent knocking came on the -great entry doors. - -Assuming his role, Toka intoned royally, "Enter!" The great doors began -swinging in. - -As the procession moved up the Hall Of Life, Toka was startled by the -addition to the reliefs on the wall--a perfect portrayal of the frolic -in the bathing pool! - -"I," Old Ledo mused dryly, "didn't see any of them in there with us." - -Surfacely casual, Toka spoke ahead to their guide. "Kosanna's artisans -are swift, O Princess Alota--as well as accurate." - -Alota bowed her titian head in acknowledgment. "As Great Prince Toka -knows all, so he knows the scene of his frolic in his pool was ready -for installation even before he came to Kosanna." - -Proceeding to a pair of doors on her right, Alota led them into a -vast auditorium, beautifully scened of wall and softly glowing of -vaulted ceiling. There was a tremendous black banquet table, its center -gleaming and bare. Beside ornate black chairs down each side, hundreds -of beautiful princesses stood expectantly. At the far end of the -table was a great stage, its black curtain hanging in huge folds. An -enchanting perfume filled the air. - -Toka sauntered to the quintet of white chairs at the head of the table. -Each chair back bore a small but perfect likeness of the member of the -"divine" party who was to sit in it. - -"Aren't there any men in this palace?" Elees wondered lowly. - -"Maybe the whole place is a harem," Rok posed puckishly, "just waiting -for Toka." - -Toka was aware of Roya instantly stiffening. Comparing her sunny blonde -and creamy-tan loveliness with the titian and milk-white beauty of the -Kosanna princesses, Toka failed to see why Roya should be irritated. - -Alota raised her wand. At once the curtain on the distant stage rustled -aside to reveal a choir of sheerly gowned princesses who began a low -choraling. With a swaying of diaphanous gown, the choir parted and a -line of graceful girls danced out, bearing large trays. - -"Brother!" Rok gaped. - -Toka felt the warmth creeping into his face. If those dancing girls -wore more than silver gilt it was not discernible. And straight down -to Toka the creatures danced. After passing each tray before him, as if -for benediction, the girls danced away right and left, serving first -the rest of Toka's party and then the princesses down each side of the -table. - -As the exotic banquet progressed, a thought occurred to Toka. "O -Princess Alota." - -"As Great Prince Toka wishes." - -"Are here gathered all my ones of my palace?" - -"As Great Prince Toka knows all, so he knows that tomorrow he shall -meet the Council Of Kosanna's Old Ones." - -"So," Roya mocked quietly, "the big brains aren't dining with us after -all!" - -"They'd probably pop an old blood vessel at sight of these dancing -girls!" Elees mused sardonically. - - * * * * * - -As his party was escorted down the Hall Of Life, Toka was only mildly -surprised at the newest scene--of the banquet from beginning to end. -Escorted into the lounge room, Toka and party watched the great doors -swing shut. - -Elees yawned. "At least we seem to have _some_ privacy." - -Roya was drowsy. "Is it getting dark or am I just sleepy?" - -"Hey," Rok affirmed lazily, "the ceilings are dimming." - -Old Ledo now yawned. "Even have night and day in this crazy cave." - -"Let's go to bed," Elees urged from her lethargy. - -Old Ledo yawned again. "I guess they won't bother us." - -"After all," Toka reasoned lazily, "why wear ourselves out tonight when -we're going to meet those Old Ones tomorrow anyway?" - -Rok yawned. "Sure! Let's grab some sleep." - -Roya and Elees pulled down the silkily rustling covers of their beds. - -Elees yawned. "I could go to bed with all my clothes on." She sat on -her bed--and swayed backward. - -The utter lethargy was pulling Roya into her own invitingly soft bed. -"Who needs ... clothes off...." - -Elees was beyond answering. Roya, too, relaxed into the dreamless -depths. - -Toka tossed down the rustling covers of his bed. Sleep weighted -his eyelids and pulled at his consciousness. Not even bothering to -remove battle knives, Rok and Old Ledo were sprawling into their beds. -Sandals, battle knife and all, Toka stretched out on his bed and sank -into its wonderful softness. "Been a ... big day...." - -Rok and Old Ledo could not answer. Toka let the restful void take him. - - - II - -Toka's dreamless slumber seemed to have lasted but moments. The ceiling -was just returning to its full light of day as Toka sat up. The beds -of Rok and Old Ledo were empty. And Toka's weapons were nowhere to -be found! He was into the girls' room. Nothing! He was to the pool. -Nothing. He stepped to the lounge room. The emptiness mocked him. Why -couldn't he have seen that drowsiness last night was abnormal! Hot -anger spread through Toka. _If anyone had harmed Roya_.... Picking -up a stone lounge, Toka slammed it to the doors. The heavy lounge -shattered--the doors stood impervious. Why hadn't he and Rok used their -battle-axes when they had the chance! - -The great doors suddenly opened and the cortege was there. - -Toka's voice was a whip. "Where are my comrades!" - -Alota bowed servantly. "Only the Council Of Kosanna's Old Ones may now -answer Toka's divine testing." - -If only these princesses were men so a man could beat a straight answer -out of them! "Then take me to the Old Ones at once!" Toka strode into -the Hall Of Life and followed Alota. - -Toka scarcely noted another pair of scenes--one showing him and his -party asleep last night, the other portraying his quarters awry and him -whaling that lounge against the doors. - -Alota was touching her wand to a pair of great doors on her left, to -reveal a golden stairway leading up in a broad spiral. Alert, Toka -leaped up the long spiral to a pair of gigantic black doors. They swung -away and Toka stepped through. He was on a broad black terrace that -circled a vast court. A golden light diffused through the domed roof. -In mid-court a huge crystal sphere rested atop a black sculpture of -nude maidens. - -Seated in great chairs around the far half of the court were twelve men -in voluminous black robes. Above flowing white beards their features -displayed the withering of antiquity. Their silvery eyes never wavered -from Toka. - -"O Great Prince Toka," a mellow contralto intoned, "Queen Kolano and -the Old Ones welcome your divine presence!" - -In the huge black chair directly between the twelve Old Ones sat a -woman surpassing in beauty all Kosanna's princesses. Her attire was the -typical green scantiness--brilliantly jeweled. - -"Where are my friends and weapons!" Toka's demand rang in the vaulted -court. - -Kolano's contralto echoed mellowly. "O Great Prince Toka--behold the -Sphere Of All Time!" - -Kolano and the Old Ones centered their silvery eyes on the huge Sphere. -A faint thrumming sang through the court and a chill swept the air. The -golden light faded swiftly. The Sphere seemed suspended in a black void. - -"O Great Prince Toka!" Kolano intoned. "Behold the time of Present!" - -The Sphere shone with a pale cold light and Toka saw his quarters. The -rooms had been cleaned and straightened. Rok and Old Ledo were sprawled -comfortably on their beds, their weapons beside them. The Sphere Of All -Time abruptly dulled. - -"O Great Prince Toka!" Once more Kolano's contralto echoed through the -chill and thrumming air, "Behold the time of Past and Present!" - -Again the Sphere shone with that pale cold light. Toka saw Kosanna's -square as in moonlight and shadow. The door between the feet of -that colossal statue of him swung in. Led by Alota, a procession of -princesses marched out--each four carrying a black bier on which lay -a girl. The first eight wore only small Toka figurines between their -breasts. These eight girls were laid in a row on the fore edge of the -altar. - -Two more biers were carried out. Deprived only of weapons and -consciousness, their occupants were Roya and Elees! They were added to -the girls at altar's edge. At a wave of Alota's wand the princesses -retired. - -Toka wanted to cry out--but even in speech he was immobile! And ten -dragons swept over the deserted city. Flapping above the altar, each -monster whipped its tail about a girl and carried her away. Back over -the city the dragons lined--and shot into that down-river cavern. - -The Sphere Of All Time held to the route--through a dungeon gloom, on -to a weirdly illumined area of slowly swirling steam and grotesque -stalagmites, then through a black tunnel guarded by a dragon at coiled -rest. Down into a vast red pit of stalagmites and stalactites, of -yellow steam and slimy green moss hangings, the way led. And each -dragon placed its prize in a green cage, latched the door, then flapped -away into a great den of their own. - -Regaining consciousness and beholding their position, the Kosanna girls -began shuddering in abject fear. Of finer stuff, Roya and Elees fought -to retain reason and hope--when a horde of the pit's inhabitants came -into view! - -Terror ripped through Toka. The things were half man and half dragon, -their slimy scaliness a shiny black mottled through with a fiery -red. From their flat reptilian heads lidless red eyes burned with an -insatiable lust. From their mouths yellow fangs thrust down to vicious -needlepoints. Their hands and feet ended in ten long and sinuous -digits. Their bodies continued on down beyond their pelvis to become a -tail that ended in a restless coil of blue rattles. - -The Sphere Of All Time toured that pit. Working abjectly at cutting -and gathering moss, or hopeless slaves in the dens pocking the pit's -perimeter, were hundreds of Kosanna girls. - -Fear and rage tore through Toka. Yet even with the tremendous strength -that came surging from his depths he could not move or speak! - -The Sphere Of All Time dulled. The taut thrumming and chill faded. The -blackness changed swiftly to golden light. Kolano and the Old Ones -centered their silvery eyes on Toka. The spell dropped from him. - - * * * * * - -Toka whirled to leave--but in that instant he could not move! The Old -Ones' silvery eyes on him, Toka heard Kolano's contralto echo in the -vast court. "As divinely ordained, Great Prince Toka shall listen." - -Though he strained mightily, he could not do otherwise. - -"When the Dragon Women bore only males and so became extinct," Kolano's -contralto echoed calmly, "the men of Ophid exacted tribute from -Kosanna. Yet Kosanna girls gave birth only to Dragon Men. Thus, even -though Kosanna grows ever less, ten girls still are sacrificed each -night--lest Ophid come and destroy all Kosanna and take all our girls." - -Toka's voice was his to make an angry demand. "Why were Roya and Elees -included last night!" - -Kolano smiled calmly. "As ordained by the Sphere Of All Time, Great -Prince Toka must have that incentive to destroy Ophid." - -Toka blazed his request. "Then restore my fellow warriors and me at -once--that we may attack Ophid!" - -"On one condition." - -If only he could regain his weapons! The sweat of fear was on him now. -"What is your condition!" - -"Great Prince Toka must wed me first." - -The woman was mad! Toka rang out his instant decision. "I refuse!" - -Kolano shrugged. "Great Prince Toka is even now reconsidering--and -seeing that certain things are ordained." - -Held immobile and bathed in a cold sweat, Toka found his swift mind -reconsidering. Roya and Elees--about to be--He dare not think it--his -reason would shatter to insanity! The sweat dripped into his eyes as he -fought his voice from shaking. "I accept!" - -Kolano was smiling softly. "Great Prince Toka may now return to his -rooms. The wedding shall then occur--after which Toka shall be given -his weapons and sent to the realm of Ophid." - -The Old Ones' silvery eyes lessened their hypnotic intensity and Toka -whirled for the opening doors. A gong was joyous somewhere outside. An -exultant choraling was beginning. The high portals at the bottom of the -spiral stairway swung in as Toka neared the last step. The cortege ran -to escorting position as Toka raced down the Hall Of Life. He spared a -glance for the latest art work--a portrayal of his recent experiences -up in that domed court. - -Alota was flashing her wand to his doors. Toka was across the restored -lounge room and into his bedroom--was shaking Rok violently, then Old -Ledo. - -"Holy lizards!" Rok snapped. "What's wrong?" - -The distant gonging and choraling an affirming background, Toka tried -to begin educating his friends. - -But the angry Rok leaped for the lounge room. "I'll murder every -blasted Kosannan and dragon in my way!" - -The deadly angry Old Ledo's voice rasped more sanely. "We've got to get -Toka's weapons first!" - -Rok swung abruptly to Toka. "Where are they!" - -"I get them after I marry Kolano!" - -Rok and Old Ledo stared. But the portals were swinging. Alota and the -cortege was waiting. Toka had to play his part out--it was the fastest -way. - -Toka sped back up the Hall Of Life. A new scene had been added--Toka -awakening Rok and Old Ledo and his explanatory discussion with them. -The great entry portals were swinging and Kosanna's exalted gonging -and choraling flooded about Toka as he ran down the long stairway. The -massed Kosannans in the square formed a lane to the altar where Kolano -was waiting. - -"I've never killed any woman," Rok offered loyally, "but--" - -"Save it for the Dragon Men!" Toka leaped to the altar and strode for -the edge. The gonging and choraling was so tremendous that the very -stonework vibrated underfoot. - - * * * * * - -With a gaze of coming passion, Kolano turned. "O Great Prince Toka--it -is the moment." - -"Let's get on with it!" Toka snapped. - -Kolano raised a jeweled arm to the Kosannans. The gonging and choraling -abruptly silenced. The door between the feet of the colossal statue -swung away and the black-robed Old Ones marched out in a double line to -Toka and Kolano. The leading two ceremoniously carried deeply fringed -black pillows, one goldenly embroidered GREAT PRINCE TOKA, the other -GREAT QUEEN KOLANO. All twelve Old Ones began a sing-song chant in -anciently quavering voices. - -"O Great Prince Toka! O Great Queen Kolano! Take up your ring! Take up -your ring!..." - -As did Kolano from hers, so Toka took up the fiery jeweled ring from -his pillow. - -"Face each other! Face each other!" the Old Ones chanted as all Kosanna -listened. - -Toka fought his features expressionless. - -"... Extend left hands! Extend left hands!..." - -Kolano's silvery eyes smouldered possessively at Toka. - -"... Extend third fingers! Extend third fingers!..." - -The cold sweat was bathing Toka again. But no immobility held him--only -desire to get his great battle weapons and go for Roya! - -"... Place your rings! Place your rings!..." - -Where was his ax and knife! - -"... On the other's finger! On the other's finger!..." - -Toka thrust his ring on Kolano's marriage finger and received her -brilliant band. - -"... You are one! You are one!..." The Old Ones paused. "It is done!" - -At once all Kosanna was gonging and choraling to the heights of joy. -The air beat with it. The stone trembled with it. Rok and Old Ledo were -muttering savagely. Kolano was trying to embrace Toka. - -He thrust her from him. "My weapons--where are they?" - -Disappointment was momentarily hot in Kolano's eyes. "They are here, O -Great Prince Toka! And your canoe awaits beside the wharf!" - -From beneath the voluminous robes of the second pair of Old Ones -appeared Toka's weapons. Snatching his battle knife and buckling it on, -Toka grabbed his great battle-ax and leaped from the altar. The wildly -joyous Kosannans parted. Rok and Old Ledo fleet at his flanks, Toka -raced across the square and down to the wharf. Only a long black canoe -was awaiting. In a split instant Toka was kneeling at the bow thwart -with black paddle in hand. Rok was as ready amidships, Old Ledo in the -stern. - -The men thrust free of the wharf and dug their paddles. The canoe -leaped for the down-river cavern. Only dripping gloom met straining -eyes. Only the liquid swishing of three paddles digging fast and -deep came to the ears. And ever Toka's being strained ahead to that -hell-hole where Roya was.... - - - III - -The canoe shot on like a fleet black ghost. Suddenly the river ended in -a great whirlpool just ahead and the cavern spread away on the right, -its extent shrouded in shifting haze rising from pools of many colors. -Slowing the canoe into a cluster of stalagma, Toka tied it secure and -stepped ashore. Slithering dangerously on the warm muck, he ran between -boiling pools and swallowing slime holes, Rok and Old Ledo at his heels. - -The mucky way led uphill and the haze began eddying into thin strands -to reveal a glistening black wall ridged with colorful columns. -Peering from behind one that towered away into the shifting haze, Toka -considered the huge opening at the summit of this mucky slope. - -Old Ledo wrinkled his nose eloquently. "The thing's in there!" - -"Rok and I will get behind those columns to each side of that opening," -Toka decided swiftly. "When I wave my arm Old Ledo will tap this column -with his ax." - -The haze eddied back. Toka and Rok separated on their swift ways. Rok -was quickly into position. Edging out, Toka peered warily into the -tunnel. Midway back and dimly revealed by the weird light reflected in -from out here was one of the huge dragons, fanged head resting atop -mighty coils and wings, lidless pink eyes watchful. - -Raising his arm and dropping it, Toka poised. Old Ledo tapped the -column and a deep chime-tone shimmered on the warm air. There was a -scaly sliding within the tunnel and that huge fanged head thrust out. -That greenly mottled yellow body began following in long undulations. -That rattlered tail finally flipped clear and Toka shot across the -muck. His mighty battle-ax bit home and tore on through--and that tail -could buzz no warning. The dragon convulsed with beating wings only to -have Rok's great ax whistle into the base of its skull. Old Ledo came -loping up the mucky slope and in intense moments it was all over--the -remains tossed into slime holes that gulped away all traces. Even -the wildly churned muck of the slope was settling back into a tawny -smoothness that told no tales. - -Rok and Old Ledo at his heels, Toka raced the length of the tunnel. It -opened onto a small red ledge overlooking a shifting haze shot through -with varicolored light. Columns of brilliant shadings thrust massively -from it only to vanish again into the yellow vapor. Pale green moss -hangings swung lazily and the musky stench of reptiles was heavy on the -steamy air. - -Rok and Old Ledo following, Toka was fleeting down the narrow path that -dropped from the ledge in a great curve. Hissing laughter and voices -drifting thinly through the eddying haze now, Toka and comrades slipped -behind a huge moss drape and peered carefully about. - -The path spread away onto the floor of the pit. Through crusty -cracks in the red rock, vapor spiraled up to form the shifting haze. -Stretching away right and left, the pit's moss-hung walls towered from -view. - -Rok and Old Ledo with him, Toka stepped from the moss drape and strode -swiftly for a mighty column. _Covered by the haze and taking advantage -of these columns_-- - -Around that column darted a redly mottled black Dragon Boy. His snaky -features gaped. Also startled, Toka flashed his battle-ax to kill him. -But the boy scrambled too agilely and raced away into the haze--his -tail vibrating the warning! - - * * * * * - -Toka's gaze leaped to a nearby door. Battle-ax swinging, he stepped in. -Old Ledo shut the door. In the pale green light given off by the low -ceiling the storage den was unoccupied. - -"To the back!" Toka was scrambling over the springy moss heaps, Rok and -Old Ledo with him. - -At the back the men burrowed from view. The den's door clanked open and -the raucous sounds of the great search came clearer. - -"How would they know where to hide!" a searcher hissed. - -The moss transmitted the weights and movements of the -searchers--directly over-head now. Toka could even hear them breathing. - -"King Ophid is right!" a disgruntled searcher hissed. "The boy has been -drinking too much moss dew!" - -The clamor in the pit suddenly sharpened. - -"Now what!" an exasperated searcher hissed. - -"The tunnel dragon is gone without trace!" another deciphered. - -"The thing is probably only out looking around!" the exasperated -searcher reasoned. "Why doesn't King Ophid call off this looking," he -hissingly whispered, "so we can eat some of our moss and go to nest." - -"Fool!" the disgruntled searcher hissed softly. "The moss supervisor is -watching us!" He spoke in louder hiss, "Come on--there's nothing here!" - -The searchers scrambled away, the door slammed and Toka rifled his gaze -over the moss heaps. The den was deserted. Rok and Old Ledo with him, -Toka was to the door. The search in the pit fast subsiding, Toka eased -the door a crack. The hazy stalagmited scene deserted, Toka slipped out -with battle-ax ready. Rok followed lightly. Old Ledo came along and -closed the door cluelessly. - -Rok and Old Ledo at his heels, Toka stole swiftly for the center of the -silent pit--and the cages. But every one was empty! - -The fear ripped through Toka. "Old Ledo, take the back third of the -pit! Rok, take the right third! Listen at every door! Get Roya and -Elees--or kill them." Toka spoke grimly on. "All doors open out--brace -each one! We'll meet at the moss den!" - -Rok and Old Ledo whirled away. At the first door of his own area, Toka -heard only Dragon Men. Snatching up a shard from a column, he braced it -against the door and was away. Den after den of Dragon Men was swiftly -secured. - -A den of slave girls was encountered. "Get out!" Toka commanded -tersely. "Hide in the moss den by the path!" The pitiful girls filed -away. - -Toka was on--securing the massive double doors to the vast den of the -huge dragons. But he must be near to the end of his sector--and no -Roya! - -Peering around a massive column, Toka saw the haze ahead abruptly -thin--to reveal an ornate doorway above which was sculptured a spiked -collar. To each side of this door a huge dragon lay coiled on guard. -The yellow haze swirled back over the scene. - -"Toka!" Roya's voice cried. "Tok--" - -Fear ripping through him, Toka leaped for that door. In the yellow haze -the first dragon reared its head and flexed its massive coils. Toka's -knife arm whipped and his vicious blade was a black glitter. The dragon -darted its head but Toka's battle knife sank to its hilt between those -baleful pink eyes. The dragon hissed and shuddered. The second one slid -from the haze. Toka's battle-ax whistled viciously and sent the ugly -head toppling from its sinuous body. - -Leaping over the dying dragons, Toka slammed his battle-ax to that -door. It flapped out--and rage exploded through Toka! - - * * * * * - -The hissing laughter of the Dragon Men threaded through the stark -screaming of the Kosanna girls. - -"They're coming for us now!" Elees gasped. - -A group of the Dragon Men gathered about the cage. One was unlatching -the trap door. - -As the Dragon Man advanced, Roya command, "We are not of Kosanna! Take -us to your master!" - -The Dragon Man grinned mockingly. "You, fair one, are for our King -Ophid! But you, dark one--" Leaping with startling speed, he bowled -Roya and Elees to the scummy floor. - -Elees fought to escape the slimy creature. Roya battled to help. But -that rattlered tail uncoiled with blinding speed to smash her back and -the Dragon Man was carrying the frantically struggling Elees from the -cage. Roya leaped to follow--only to have gleeful Dragon Men clang the -door in her face. Instantly backing from the snaky fingers clawing -through the bars, Roya watched Elees born away into the eddying haze -and stench. - -Then there was an imperious vibration of rattlers. The mob about Roya's -cage instantly backed away and from out of the shifting haze swaggered -a giant Dragon Man wearing a spiked collar set with flashing gems. - -Flinging the cage door wide, he strode in with his voice hissing, "Ah, -the new Queen of King Ophid's realm!" - -Roya fought to control her terror. "My friend and I are not of Kosanna! -Release us or our people shall destroy you!" - -The King of the Dragon Men only reached for her. Roya ducked and -leaped. Ophid's claws grazed her back, then she was past him and the -door yawned ahead. But with blinding swiftness Ophid's tail whipped -around Roya's ankle and crashed her to the floor. Then his sinuous arms -wrapped about her and he was carrying her away through the eddying haze -and stench to a door above which was sculptured a spiked collar. Two -dragons were coiled on guard beside the door. - -"Toka!" Roya cried in stark desperation. "Toka!" - -There was only hissing laughter, mocking her. - -Thrusting Roya free, Ophid fingered the small masonries of the latch -area. In the sickly green light cast by the interior stonework, the -den was low and huge. As Ophid moved slowly toward her, Roya dodged -around the table and grasped the back of a chair. Red eyes staring -hypnotically, Ophid slowly rounded the table and came toward her. - -His snaky arms and hands began reaching slowly for her. Her flesh -cringed as though she were already naked. But she could not move--could -not utter a sound! - -Held by Ophid's red eyes, Roya felt her legs quivering. She sensed -those snaky fingers reaching closer and closer. In but a moment those -hands would-- - -A frantic buzzing sounded from the pit and a pounding came on the door. - -Snaky features scowling, Ophid flung the portal wide. "What's all this -nonsense!" - -"But, sire," a Dragon Man hissed, "a boy swears he just saw the three -warriors from the Outer World!" - -... _the three warriors from the Outer World_ cut through Roya's -hynotized mind. Toka had come! - -"The boy's mad!" Ophid hissed angrily. "No one could get past the -tunnel dragon!" - -"But, sire!" the alarmed Dragon Man furthered. "The boy swears the -three warriors are those who bested your six dragons sent to Kosanna!" - -"All right, all right!" Ophid accepted impatiently. "We'll search the -place and see! And if any--" The door slammed shut. - - * * * * * - -Roya was to it. It was locked. Racing her hands to find the releasing -mechanism, she listened to the commotion outside. Every Dragon Man and -Boy and winged reptile must be searching the pit! - -The door abruptly gave out from Roya's desperately searching hands! -But she shocked back as the King of the Dragon Men strode in. His -adroit tail flicked the door shut. Roya was behind a nearby chair. -Ophid turned to finger the latch. With strength born of new hope, Roya -grasped the chair and leaped. Ophid whirled and tried to convulse away. -The chair missed his head but slammed down on his arms and staggered -him. - -Glimpsing success, Roya flailed the chair again. But Ophid whipped his -tail around her ankle and threw her off balance as he tore the chair -from her hands. - -Roya contorted to sink her teeth into that tail coiled around her -ankle. Ophid hissed with pain. Leaping free, Roya snatched the other -chair as she dodged around the table. Ophid only stood before the -door--his red eyes burning unwinkingly. Roya knew he was trying to -hypnotize her again. But if she didn't let herself watch him.... - -Roya centered her gaze on his redly mottled black torso. But Ophid was -swaying in a slow sinuous rhythm. Roya felt herself begin swaying with -him. In violent desperation Roya hurled her chair. Ophid only caught it -and set it down softly. There were no more this side of the table. - -Ophid began moving slowly toward Roya. His hissing voice was like his -eyes--impelling. "There are no warriors from your Outer World. There is -no one...." - -In desperation Roya upended the table and darted for the door. Only -reaching out, Ophid eased the table to the floor. Roya fumbled -frantically at the latch--but couldn't release it! Feeling Ophid's eyes -burning over her, she whirled. Rippling sinuously, tail swaying in -rhythm, Ophid was moving slowly backward. - -His hissing voice was an opiate. "It is useless, fair one. You cannot -resist what is to be...." - -Had Toka and the others not really come! - -Ophid was standing by his filthy nest now. "Come, fair one," he bid -softly. "Come, fair one ... come...." - -Those eyes--that voice.... Flesh chilled and crawling, Roya took a slow -step--another.... - -"... And another step, fair one ... one more ... just one more...." - -Roya took another slow step--into those arms. - -"... Relax, fair one ... relax ... relax...." - -His scaly arms tightened about her. His fingers moved over her. His -scaly chest pressed against her breast. His slimy legs touched against -her. His facile tail coiled up around her flesh. Her legs quivered.... - -Roya's senses reeled. If only she could speak ... one word.... - -"Toka!" Roya heard her scream as from a distance. "Tok--" Ophid's slimy -lips were on her mouth.... - -Ophid glanced up as his den door slammed out. Battle-ax swinging and -rage flaming through him, Toka leaped the overturned table. With one -convulsion Ophid hurled Roya at Toka, kicked aside the mossy nest and -plunged through the floor. Fast as thought Toka dropped his ax and -caught Roya. - -She met his anxious gaze. "I'm all right now, Toka." - -Snatching up his ax, Toka hurried Roya for the doorway. As he braced -Ophid's den, the haze momentarily thinned, revealing the next door, a -considerable distance beyond, had been braced--by Rok as he had begun -on that sector. Taking Roya's arm, Toka hurried through the shifting -haze and stalagma. - -"But Elees!" Roya protested. - -The haze swirled away ahead, revealing Rok and an unharmed Elees and -Old Ledo. - -"Let's get out!" Toka ran for the path. - -Old Ledo ran to the moss den. "All right, come on!" The pitiful slave -girls fell in behind the old warrior as he joined Toka on the narrow -path. - -The ledge came into sight. Toka eased to the tunnel's maw. Midway -back, a dragon was coiled on guard. Drawing back, Toka held up one -finger. Rok and Old Ledo joined him. - -Toka breathed, "Take it as it comes!" He skipped a rock across the -ledge. - -There was a heavy sliding within the tunnel and the dragon's head -thrust out. Rok and Old Ledo with him, Toka leaped with battle-ax -flashing. The three blades tore true and the dragon's head toppled -over the ledge. Aided by butchering blows of great axes, the violently -convulsing body plunged after. - -The tunnel's stinking gloom was traversed and the escapees crowded the -mucky shore of the underground river. Old Ledo came back. "No canoe." - -But that dilemma was instantly flung into the background as a murmur -suddenly swept through the hopeless slave girls. Even as Toka glanced -to ascertain the reason, the pitiful creatures began walking into -the river. Instantly the vicious fish swarmed. The first slaves went -down like mown blades of grass. The ones behind came on--hopeless, -impassive, unstoppable! - -Placing an arm about Roya's shoulders as she covered her face with her -hands, Toka turned sickly away. - -The river was finally quiet but for the empty swallowing of its -whirlpool. - -"Look!" Roya exclaimed. - - - IV - -Toka followed Roya's gaze up river. As if guided by an invisible pilot, -an empty black canoe was drifting straight toward Toka. The party was -swiftly in. Thrusting his paddle into the mucky bank, Toka shoved the -canoe into the current. The paddles dipped, the canoe shot up-stream -into the gloom of the winding cavern. - -Roya's voice echoed musically. "Isn't that a ring you're wearing, Toka?" - -A miracle she hadn't noticed the damnable thing sooner! - -"Let me see it!" Roya laughed. - -"No time to stop paddling." - -"But where did you get it?" - -"Kosanna." Better he had stayed in the pit of Ophid! - -Roya sensed something in Toka's quiet terseness, in the odd silence of -Rok and Old Ledo. "Toka, what does it mean?" - -Only the swift thrusting of the paddles and the swush of the river -against the canoe's shell filled the next moments. Roya's patient -waiting for an answer was inescapable. - -"It means," Toka replied quietly, "that I ... shall not be leaving -Kosanna." - -Roya took it surprisingly well. "And the rest of us?" - -"Free to go, I guess." - -"Why can't you come too?" Roya wouldn't give up till she knew. - -Toka tried to keep it factual. "I married Queen Kolano." - -"And who is Queen Kolano?" - -Toka tried to explain. "Lives in the palace--up in the dome or some -place. I met her--" Why explain his crazy trance! "So...." - -"Toka, I hope you and Queen Kolano will be very happy." Roya quivered -with the hurt. - -The dank cavern curved--to reveal the distant glow of Kosanna. Joyous -choraling came on the air. - -The singing was a mockery to Toka. "Roya, look. I only--" - -"I understand perfectly." Roya dismissed him. - -Rok cut in. "See here, Roya--" - -"Let it go!" Toka ordered edgily. _He'd gotten what he'd paid for._ - -The canoe shot into the full light of Kosanna and closed to the wharf. -Toka led his party ashore. The joyous choraling filled the air and -trembled the stone underfoot. - -Flanked by the impassive Old Ones, Kolano stepped forward. "We hail -Great Prince Toka's triumphant return!" Flinging her arms around Toka's -neck, she searched her eager lips for his. - -Toka thrust free. "These others may now return to the Outer World?" - -"In that very canoe," Kolano assured freely. - -Rok was loyal. "I'll stay." - -"Double it," Old Ledo added. - -Elees glanced to Roya. - -Toka spared them. "Thanks. But Kolano and I shall make out all right." - -Toka watched Roya and his friends paddle away into that up-stream -cavern. Rok, Old Ledo and Elees glanced back and waved. Roya only -faced straight ahead. The canoe turned the bend and was gone. - -Shrugging hopelessly, Toka turned away. - -Thirteen ornate palanquins awaited. Toka joined Kolano in the double -one. The Old Ones sat into the others. - -As the procession moved through Kosanna, Toka drilled his gaze into -Kolano's silvery eyes. "My vow is not binding unless your promise is -fulfilled." - -"Toka has no cause for suspicion--as he shall see." - -The great square was near now. Toka narrowly eyed Kolano. "Why didn't -Kosanna migrate to the Outer World to escape tribute to Ophid?" - -"Kosannans," Kolano educated, "would perish instantly in the elements -of the Outer World." - -"If you and the Old Ones are so capable," Toka mocked, "why wasn't a -spell cast over Ophid and his realm?" - -"The present Old Ones are the greatest mentalities Kosanna ever -had--but they have their limitations." - -The palanquins were born to the foot of the altar, and Kolano bid -softly, "I shall rejoin you soon, Toka." She led the Old Ones for the -door between the feet of the colossal statue. - -Going down the Hall Of Life, Toka noted the scene of his marriage -to Kolano had been added to the continuity; his expedition to Ophid -and his deeds there; his return to Kosanna; and Roya and the others -departing for the Outer World. Yet a good length of the Hall remained -bare. - -Alota did not lead to his rooms at the end of the Hall, but stopped -before a pair of unscened panels on the left. Caring little, Toka -sauntered in. There was this luxurious lounge room. Then, through a -door scened with entwined hearts and embracing lovers, there was a -teasingly scented boudoir. - - - V - -_From out of the darkness, thirteen pairs of silvery eyes stared at the -Sphere Of All Time. The air was cold and sang with a thin thrumming. -The Sphere shone with a pale cold light--the scene was the pit of -Ophid...._ - -_From a crevice in a massive stalagmite, a giant Dragon Man was -emerging warily. He wore a spiked collar studded with flashing jewels. -Slipping away through the haze, he tugged the first door bracing loose -and his fellows poured forth in an angry stream...._ - -_In the court of the Sphere Of All Time, one pair of silvery eyes -departed._ - - * * * * * - -Toka sauntered back to the lounge room of the bridal suite. - -Another door on the right swung softly in and Kolano stepped from a dim -passage. "Great Prince Toka finds these rooms satisfactory?" - -"So far." - -"After we dine, Toka shall be more satisfied." - -The scent of her touched into his nostrils. - -The main portals were swinging in for a cortege bearing trays of food -and drink. The table serviced, Toka and Kolano were left alone. Slender -green tapers gave off a delicate odor and the menu was exotic. But -there was a platter of leaf-wrapped packs of Sandcliff's water berries, -no doubt part of the stores from the raft. Toka felt little appetite -but he tore open a pack's corner and spilled his hand full of the -black fruit. There was a magic in these berries, a magic to heal all -wounds--and to give renewed strength.... - -He met Kolano's silvery gaze. "You and the Old Ones--unlike the common -Kosannans--know I am not of divine origin." - -Kolano shrugged. "For ages untold, your coming has been foreseen in the -Sphere Of All Time." - -"And you and the Old Ones?" - -"The Old Ones were born of palace princesses and selected to study -for the Council by the Old Ones of their time. I, too, am of a palace -princess--and was selected by the present Old Ones to be the mother of -your son." - -Toka eyed her sardonically. "I don't know if the Sphere Of All Time -reported this, but in my part of the Outer World we believe people -should love each other first." - -"I have loved you since first I saw you in the Sphere." Kolano's -silvery eyes were alight for him. - -Toka shifted his gaze away. "Perhaps it might be best to wait a while." - -"Perhaps Toka needs only to know me better." - -Toka stood up and sauntered away. At that moment the main portals swung -in for the cortege to clear away the dining service. - -As the portals swung shut again, Toka glanced cynically at Kolano. -"Everybody knows just when to come and go." - -"The Sphere has long told the times of all your needs and -actions--past, present and future." - -"All right," Toka challenged sardonically, "what am I going to do next?" - -"You are going to bed. And I am returning to my private rooms." -Touching open the passage door, Kolano departed with a soft smile for -him. - -He was alone and free--but for a vow. He opened the great portals. The -Hall Of Life stretched away vast and deserted. To the continuity had -been added the scene of his recent dinner with Kolano. - -_If he could find where they had those scenes stored_.... But another -thought held him. _If the future did show Kolano and him as she had -intimated_.... - -Toka turned back into the bridal suite. If he was going to get free he -would, and if he wasn't.... - -It was a line of reasoning typically Kosannan! - -The ceiling's glowing had dimmed. Toka turned down the silky covers of -the great bed. - -... _the smooth whiteness of Kolano's skin ... the Titian sheen of her -hair ... the deep smouldering in those silvery eyes ... the curve of -those carmine lips ... the curvedness of_-- - -This was the way he used to think of Roya! _Used_ to think of Roya-- - -Toka tensed abruptly. Through the dimness he saw the boudoir door -slowly move. Who could have gotten into this suite without toppling the -chairs he had balanced against the doors? Hand on Battle-ax, Toka lay -motionless--ready to leap. The door moved slowly in. - - * * * * * - -_In the black court, the Sphere Of All Time shone on with a pale cold -light...._ - -_Ophid's men, boys and dragons were massed around him as he stood atop -a huge stalagmite stump. His features were contorted with insane rage, -his snaky body quivering with it. His fanged mouth began to froth. His -wild-eyed subjects snapped their heads up and down in approval. Ophid -made a sweeping gesture and the fanatical Dragon Men began a frantic -search for handy lengths of limestone shards--broken from the mighty -columns...._ - - * * * * * - -The Big Brown came into view. The flowery jungle spread away, blending -into silent shadows as twilight neared. - -Rok let his paddle trail. "Well, we're out--thanks to Toka." - -The implication pricked Roya. "He didn't have to stay!" - -"No," Rok considered sardonically, "Toka didn't have to marry -Kolano--so we could get you and Elees out of that pit." - -Roya was silent a long moment. "Rok," she commanded, "whistle for that -big slick-skin we saw around here the other day!" - -Rok's shrill blast cut away. A distant roar drifted back over the -jungle. Rok whistled again. The distant roar answered--closer. - -"Head for the opposite shore!" Roya commanded. - -In moments the canoe was beached on the firm mud. Above the throbbing -of the Big Brown came the distant crashing of trees and brush. -Rok's whistle split again through the shadowy jungle. Roaring -acknowledgement, The Big Snake was now so near the ground quaked with -the rhythm of its coming. - -Old Ledo was peering into the canoe. "Hey--how did all these packs of -berries get under the thwarts?" - -"Divide the packs among us," Roya commanded. - -The Big Snake burst from a stand of fern trees and tore straight for -Roya. With a happy roar it slewed to a ground-gouging stop. Then, -missing Toka, it whined plaintively. - -Roya held up her clenched left hand, raised its little finger and -pointed to Elees. The Big Snake grunted. Roya raised the next finger -and pointed to Old Ledo. The next finger was Rok, the next Roya -herself. Each time the intently watching Big Snake understood. Roya -raised her thumb. The Big Snake whined plaintively. Roya pointed in -the direction of the underground river and sang a snatch of the choral -that had enticed them in there. The Big Snake frowned. - -Roya held up her right hand and raised and lowered those fingers again -and again and gestured that hand toward the underground area. Then she -gripped her right hand, representing Kosanna, around her left thumb, -representing Toka. She made Toka struggle against Kosanna. The big -slick-skin began rumbling deep in its great belly. Its bulging red eyes -began burning with rising anger. Its tail and colossal body rippled as -it poised to race to Toka's help. Roya shook her head emphatically. The -big slick-skin rumbled questioningly. - -In the deepening twilight, Roya swiftly fingered a design in the smooth -mud of the shore. The drawing crudely portrayed the big slick-skin and -Roya and friends. It was also a map of the valley and the Big Brown on -down to distant Sandcliff and the great dinosaur herd in that area. -Roya pointed a finger to the character representing the big slick-skin, -then pointed to the monster itself and raised her head and pretended -to roar toward Sandcliff. She pointed to the herd around Sandcliff and -wriggled her fingers to portray them running up valley to this spot. - -The Big Snake instantly whipped its head aloft and faced down valley. -It yawned its cavernous mouth and blasted the darkening twilight with -a roaring that slammed away and back and away again in echo. Quickly -there was an answering roar from far down valley. The big slick-skin -instantly blasted away another series of mighty roars. At once the Big -Snake far down valley acknowledged and relayed the imperative message -on. And even farther down valley a third Big Snake began blasting the -purple night with that peculiar series of mighty roars. And the call to -the Big Snakes was flashing down the valley and summoning the colossal -monsters to the rescue! - -"Why not pile aboard old slicky here," Rok urged, "and start the fun -now!" - -"Those flesh-eating fish in that river would cut him down in moments," -Roya explained. - -"But the other Big Snakes can't get here till dawn!" Rok protested. - -"We'll camp on that butte." Roya gestured the big slick-skin to kneel. - -From atop that butte, the whole valley radiated away in starlit beauty. -Sitting on the dewy grass, Roya ripped open a leaf-wrapped pack. The -others joined in. The big slick-skin stood guard. - - * * * * * - -_In the black court, the twelve pairs of silvery eyes stared on into -the coldly shining Sphere Of All Time...._ - -_Armed with great clubs of broken limestone, the hordes of Ophid were -straddling aboard the multitude of dragons that had stretched out full -length. Ophid leaped astride the neck of the largest. Flapping its many -sets of great wings, the dragon rose its sinuous lengths up through the -haze and shot for the tunnel. The other dragons and their wildly eager -riders swarmed after. Into the gloom of the tunnel tore Ophid's lead -dragon and burst into the weird outer area. Without pause Ophid swung -his swarm over the river and tore up-stream. Into the gloom of that -vast cavern the wild Dragon Men and their mad monsters poured...._ - - * * * * * - -In the dimness Toka watched the boudoir door ease slowly open. Framed -by soft and loose titian hair, a white oval of features peered slowly -around the door. - -The low insinuation was Kolano's. "Toka is not sleeping, either?" - -He was on his feet. "No." - -Kolano's only jewelry was that wedding ring, her only attire a sheer -silver gown that swirled provocatively about her sleek legginess as -she idled toward Toka. She was smiling up at him, her silvery eyes -smouldering with desire. The enticing scent of her stole into his -nostrils. - -He stood indecisively. "How did you get in?" - -Her smooth white arms slipped around his neck. Her delicately scented -breath was warm on his face. "Not all doors look like doors, Toka." - -Her voluptuous softness and firmnesses were thrilling his own naked -torso. His fingers spread onto the smooth nudity of her back. - -Her deep contralto was intimately low. "Toka does not mind?" - -"Not too much--yet." Her arms were tightening about his neck. Her sleek -fullness was resting so closely to him he could feel her throbbing -with expectancy. Her legginess pressed through her gossamer gowning to -thrill his thighs. His own heart raced with the desire forming in him. - -With a woman's want, Kolano's silvery eyes held his. "Toka is happy." - -"Do you think so?" - -Her lips brushed along his cheek to his ear. "I can feel it so." - -Her warm lips found his mouth and the thrill raced through Toka. Kolano -possessed him until his senses reeled as in a wild dream. Kolano's lips -moved thrillingly on his and wanted more of him--insatiably more! He -felt his last resistance going down--until his deepest emotions were -bursting free and beginning to clamor for more of Kolano--more! - -A frantic gonging split through Toka's passioned senses. He broke free -of Kolano and read the answer in her suddenly haggard features--the -Dragon Men were winging for Kosanna! The vision of Roya flooded back -into Toka's mind. But Roya was gone forever--was disgusted with him! -And without Roya what was life! Toka whirled for his battle-ax. - -Kolano's contralto rang low. "O Great Prince Toka! This is the -hour--use it well!" - -Great battle-ax swinging, Toka was into the lounge room. The ceilings -were coming aglow. The new day of Kosanna was dawning--and the last day -of Toka was setting. Racing up the deserted Hall Of Life, he spared a -swift glance for the portrayal of that recent episode in the boudoir. -They'd have another scene soon! Toka was slamming open the huge entry -portals. - -The gonging silenced. Kosanna spread away below--deserted. Toka was -alone atop the sacred stairway. Fighting being surging with terrible -power, he poised with his battle-ax a whistling blur around his head. -And from that down-river cavern shot Ophid--astride the neck of a -monstrous dragon. Out streaked more, at least half a hundred--lines of -wild Dragon Men riding each one. - -Ophid's lead dragon streaked in low over the city. The swarm behind -spread out and the dragons landed in the avenues. Their riders -leaped off and began flailing their wicked clubs to Kosanna's -buildings--cracking the spheroid structures and smashing in the doors. -Hissing and rattling angrily, the dragons were taking to the air again -to whip their tails around other buildings and tumble them down with -terrible crashings to destroy their occupants. - -But here and there the hitherto docile Kosannans were snatching up -knives, sharp tools--anything to try to fight with! The rattlings and -flappings, the hissings and shoutings, the yelling and screaming, -the explosive crashing of stone on stone and the grinding agony of -collapsing structures filled Kosanna and slammed into the ears. - -But Ophid and a flight of ten dragons and their riders converged on -Toka. The dragons raced to landings on the great stairway. Their insane -riders leaped clear. The eleven dragons surged again to the air to come -hurtling in for Toka as the horde of Dragon Men came flooding up the -great stairway. Toka backed into the concavity of the palace entrance. - -The first dragon shot in with great yellow fangs dripping with -glistening venom. Toka's ax leaped and bit true to split that flat -skull and send the horror crashing in wild convulsions onto the Dragon -Men. It was no deterrent. More flying monsters were hurtling in with -red tongues flicking and huge fangs dripping. - -The Dragon Men had gained the stair top now and were rushing for Toka. -With terrible strength and blinding speed Toka powered his mighty -battle-ax in screaming drives. Again and again fangs cracked away and -venom sprayed. Over and over skulls were split and brains showered -wide. Reptilian bodies were cut twain and blood flew as in a rain. The -terrace ran red and was slippery with warm gore. - -Toka fought on with the increasing recklessness of a warrior who -only wants to sell his life for the highest price! And Ophid was a -crazed demon standing atop the massive balustrade and ranting for the -destruction of Kosanna! - -They came swarming up the gore-drenched stairway, came streaking -through the sound-torn air and were an insane flood raging to inundate -this lone warrior of the Outer World. In but gory split moments the -price of Toka would soon be paid! - - - VI - -Dawn broke gray and red in the east and grew to gold as the new sun -soared free. But Roya's anxious eyes only stared away into the west. - -"Hear it!" Rok cried suddenly. - -It was like the rolling, rolling, rolling of distant thunder coming, -steadily out of the west. The big slick-skin whipped its huge head -aloft to blast a mighty roar down the valley. Faint and clear the -answer came--a chorus of roaring. - -Standing on tiptoe and straining to see, Roya felt the tingles racing -through her. "See them coming!" - -Far down valley, the monsters were a river of colossal power. They were -in many colorings and mottlings, in many forms and sizes--all tearing -for this butte. Great trees were mown down like blades of grass before -the powerfully racing leaders. Swamps and rivers were as nothing. There -was no stopping them--no slowing them. They had heard their human -master needed them! They were coming--to the last one! - -And now the thundering of their swift coming filled the air and shook -the very earth till a person could scarcely stand erect. It swayed the -mightiest trees as in a gale. The roaring for battle slammed into the -sense, took the breath and beat upon the body. And the grassy butte -was swarming with the terrible colossi. Towering above Roya, a mighty -armor-plated spike-back rumbled for directions. - -Gesturing to the big slick-skin she had been carefully educating during -the night, Roya pointed to the black-back and worked her mouth as if -talking. The slick-skin began rumbling to the black leader. Instantly -facing his impatient fellows massed on the slopes, the black spike-back -reared up and began gesturing his huge forelimbs as he roared at them. -Anger mounting even higher, the Big Snakes roared to be off for Toka. - -At that moment a frantic gonging came faint but clear from the -direction of the entrance to Kosanna. Rok instantly deduced the cause. -"The Dragon Men must be attacking Kosanna!" - -Gesturing the black leader to kneel, Roya was aboard the massive back, -one hand clutching to a spike for support. Elees and the men were with -her and Roya's voice rang on the jungle air. "Go for Toka!" - -The colossus heaved up running. Down the slope it tore with a battle -roar. With a combined roaring that filled the air with deafening -thunder the mass of Big Snakes swarmed in behind--all the armor-plated -ones first. Through the dense jungle as though it were grass the -colossal black leader tore the way. He burst clear and shot across the -Big Brown in a geysering spray to plunge into the luminous cavern. - -The angrily roaring monster's huge head was stretched out low over the -deep water--and Roya saw the vicious fish were not present! But the -armored monster, as did the others close behind, beat the water to -colored foam. - -The monstrous spike-back raced around another bend and tore for that -grill of green columns--but that massive structure was drawn into the -vaulted roof! There was nothing to impede the way! - -"Listen to the sounds from Kosanna!" Elees cried. - -"The fight's on!" Rok yelled in helpless anxiety. - -"Oh, Toka!" Roya prayed. - -"Here we come!" Old Ledo chanted. - -The cavern opened into Kosanna. The angrily roaring spike-back burst -clear and the wild battling spread away in all its detail. - -Roya's heart was in her cry. "There's Toka--fighting in the palace -entry!" - -With a roaring that blasted through the wild din of battle the black -colossus was already tearing for Toka. The mass of following Big Snakes -swept into the city with a vengeance. - - * * * * * - -Screaming Dragon Men and their hissing and rattling monsters were a -flood trying to down Toka by sheer weight of numbers. The insane Ophid -stood on the massive balustrade and urged his crazed subjects on. Toka -stood in the concavity of the palace entry and drove his battle-ax -with blinding speed. Jagged clubs were as little deterrent to his -mighty weapon as were the slimy bodies of the frothing monstrosities -that wielded them. But on they and their huge dragons came. And in but -another moment.... - -A mighty roaring suddenly cut through the battle din. Toka spared an -instant's glance. The familiar black bulk of an armor-plated Big Snake -burst from the up-river cavern and tore into Kosanna! - -Perched gracefully atop that spiked back was Roya! - -Rok and the others were with her--battle-axes swinging. More Big Snakes -thundered into Kosanna--more--roaring viciously and already battling -the hordes of Ophid. - -But Roya was coming--leading the attack! She still loved him! The -exultation surged through Toka. And to his superb strength and speed -was added this toxin to drive him to greater fury of a different nature. - -Down in Kosanna, Ophid's men and dragons were locked in raging battle -with the colossal Big Snakes. Those jagged clubs were as nothing. But -those long yellow fangs of Ophid's men and their dragons--the venom -they injected as they bit home on unarmored Big Snake anatomy! The -ferociously fighting slick-skins dropped in their tracks and sprawled -in utter limpness--then immediately began bloating till their colossal -bodies burst in a gory explosion! - -But the viciously battling armor-plates were impervious to those -striking fangs. They trampled Ophid's men and slammed them to lifeless -smears. They caught the flying dragons and ripped the writhing, hissing -and striking things to shreds. - -The terrace began heaving violently beneath Toka's feet and the -colossal black leader with Roya aboard loomed up and exploded into this -insane melee. Dragon Men and flying monsters and colossal armor-plated -heads and tails whirled in wild battle. The ravenously screaming -battle-axes of Rok and Old Ledo--of Roya and Elees--joined Toka's in -this desperate finale. - -But Toka's fighting heart was abruptly clutched in an icy grip as -a club cracked to Roya's ax arm! She dropped her weapon. Red eyes -blazing, Ophid leaped atop the black spike-back's neck and was -scrambling recklessly up the viciously lashing length. Rok and Old Ledo -were desperately occupied with flying monsters. Elees did not see. -Yellow fangs dripping venom, Ophid was nearly to Roya now. And she dare -not jump--a sea of wildly fighting Dragon Men awaited. - -With a fervent prayer Toka snatched at his waist. His arm whipped and -his great battle knife streaked away. - -[Illustration: _With a fervent prayer Toka snatched at his great battle -knife._] - -But that moment had its price--a pair of fangs sank into Toka's leg. -Even as his ravenous knife blade sang through the Dragon Man's neck -Toka's senses reeled. His last memory was of Roya screaming, "Toka!" - - * * * * * - -Toka's mind fought harder and slowly made his weary body come alive, -made it want to struggle back there--to Roya. The blackness slowly fell -away and Toka looked up into Roya's deep blue eyes. Her lips were warm -and sweet. - -"Brother!" Rok was observing fervently. "Was that close!" - -"One less berry," Old Ledo reflected sagely, "and that venom would have -been too much." Indeed, the black fruit had once again demonstrated its -healing power. - -"No Roya and there would be no anything now," Elees was pointing evenly. - -"The Sphere Of All Time," Kolano was assuring easily, "is never wrong." - -As Roya drew up from him, Toka sat up. He was on the bed in the bridal -suite. The gore-spattered Roya and Elees, Rok and Old Ledo, the sheerly -clad Kolano and the black-robed Old Ones, were all circled about him. - -Roya faced Kolano. "I don't know whether your Sphere Of All Time is -ever wrong or not, but I know your marriage to Toka is not honest." She -held her battle-ax ready. - -Kolano smiled softly. "And so, Roya, you will kill me if you can--to -free your Toka." - -Kolano's knowledge momentarily disconcerted Roya--and Toka. - -"But I am freeing Toka." Kolano mused in intimate memory. "Now that the -element of Toka is in me." - -Touching a chair for support, Roya stared starkly at Toka. - -Toka leaped from the bed and drilled his angry gaze at Kolano. "That -isn't true and you know it!" - -"Toka, Roya--please," Kolano smiled. "It is true--but not the way you -think." - -"I think," Toka warned levelly, "we'd better have a few explanations." - -"When Toka and I kissed last night," Kolano explained sincerely, "his -spirit--the spirit of a mighty warrior of the Outer World--mingled with -my spirit and left something of that warrior spirit in me." She gazed -frankly at Roya. "And that is all it was--purely spiritual." - -Toka met Roya's relieved gaze. - -"So," Kolano continued quietly, "when I next wed one of the men of -Kosanna--one who found the spirit to do battle against the hordes of -Ophid--our sons shall be worthy of becoming Kosanna's new leaders." - -Toka held Kolano's eyes. "What about this marriage of ours?" - -Kolano quietly held his gaze. "It is time to proceed to the altar--that -our marriage may be dissolved." - -The cortege forming the entire party marched for the Hall Of -Life--where the final victory over the hordes of Ophid was portrayed in -huge scenes. But there remained space there still for many more scenes. - -Going down the sacred stairway, Toka glanced to Kolano. "How about the -hordes of Ophid?" - -"There are no men of Ophid or dragons left alive," Kolano assured. - -All Kosanna looking on silently, Toka and Kolano stood on the fore edge -of the altar below the gigantic statue of him and, to the anciently -quavering chant of the Old Ones, removed each other's ring and placed -the brilliant bands on the pillows. - -Kolano's smile was unsteady, her silvery eyes misty. "Great Prince Toka -and his friends shall be forever revered by Kosanna." - -Toka quietly voiced his sincere wish. "May peace dwell forevermore in -Kosanna." - -As Kosanna broke into beautiful choraling, Toka beckoned to his black -spike-back. Mounting the great creature with Roya and the others of his -party, Toka headed down the main avenue. The surviving Big Snakes fell -in behind with happy eyes and peaceful features. Meeting Roya's eyes, -Toka pressed her hand in gentle expression of his feeling. He thrilled -as Roya returned the pressure. - -The up-river cavern yawned to receive them and the Outer World waited. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN THE SPHERE OF TIME *** - -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. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - 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 will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this eBook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that: - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without -widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/64723-0.zip b/old/64723-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 50f2312..0000000 --- a/old/64723-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/64723-h.zip b/old/64723-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 87e8b7f..0000000 --- a/old/64723-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/64723-h/64723-h.htm b/old/64723-h/64723-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 2176be3..0000000 --- a/old/64723-h/64723-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2335 +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 In the Sphere of Time, by J. W. Pelkie. - </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; -} - -.blockquot { - margin-left: 5%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -.ph1 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; } -.ph1 { font-size: medium; margin: .83em auto; } - - - </style> - </head> -<body> - -<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of In the Sphere of Time, by J. W. Pelkie</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: In the Sphere of Time</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: J. W. Pelkie</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: March 06, 2021 [eBook #64723]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN THE SPHERE OF TIME ***</div> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>In The Sphere of Time</h1> - -<h2>By J. W. PELKIE</h2> - -<p>Proud Prince Toka had faced—and outwitted—death<br /> -and disaster before. Yet in this weirdly glowing<br /> -underworld of Kosanna, peopled by the soft,<br /> -silvery-eyed ones, there waited a thing he<br /> -could not defy—destruction of his soul!</p> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from<br /> -Planet Stories Summer 1948.<br /> -Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that<br /> -the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p><i>Once upon a time there was a world as bright and fair as youth. It -spun its green and golden beauty in an envelope of blue sky while -whirling around a blazing white sun.... But beneath the enchanting -surface of this world, in a blackness as deep as the void of eternity, -thirteen pairs of silvery eyes glowed at a great crystal sphere. -The cold air was strung with a thin thrumming as twelve anciently -quavering male voices rose and fell in echoing chant.</i></p> - -<p>"<i>Great Prince Toka comes—down the river of Brown of the Outer -World. O let the fishes be told! O let the choral begin! For the time -ordained is coming to pass!</i>"</p></div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>In sun-gold briefs and matching sandals, Toka's lean muscled maleness -rippled as he swung the sweep pole of the racing raft. Ahead on each -bow corner were balanced the rangy Rok and the youthfully gray Old -Ledo, each with long pole ready to clear the swift raft through roiling -brown water. In mid-raft, the exquisitely blonde Roya and the sultry -dark Elees lounged carefreely on the great pelt of a saber-toothed Big -Cat.</p> - -<p>There was a sudden familiar roar from the far right shore. The -colorfully flowered jungle spread away to rugged red hills that formed -the north shoulder of this great valley. Midway bulged a large grassy -butte, atop which was poised a colossal slick-skin dinosaur. Smiling, -Toka raised an arm to the distant reptile. Red eyes beaming fiercely, -the Big Snake yawned its cavernous maw and blasted away a mighty roar.</p> - -<p>Roya laughed gayly. "All hail to Toka—Prince of Sandcliff and King of -the Dinosaurs!"</p> - -<p>"Look smart ahead!" Old Ledo snapped suddenly.</p> - -<p>The party's attention leaped back to the job of piloting the craft -through roaring white rapids. Then ahead stretched smooth brown water -again. To the left here, a long cliff towered up from the river.</p> - -<p>The dark Elees seemed thrilled. "This is the way to travel!"</p> - -<p>Roya breathed happily. "From now on—"</p> - -<p>Toka stiffened as above the river's deep murmur came human voices in -exquisite choraling.</p> - -<p>Roya glanced to Toka. "But there isn't a sign of human habitation -anywhere!"</p> - -<p>Toka had already placed the direction. "In that cliff."</p> - -<p>Roya wrinkled her nose. "Rubbish."</p> - -<p>Then from that cliff came a strange wail. "Tooookaaaa!" It was repeated -over and over. "Tooookaaaa! Tooookaaaa!"</p> - -<p>The raft nosed around into a broad channel that curved lazily into a -cavernous maw in the cliff. The walls and roof glowed with a soft light -and the choraling of Toka's name came clear and stronger. Toka let the -raft drift.</p> - -<p>"The river is certainly slow enough in there," Roya mused.</p> - -<p>"We could pole our way out easily enough," Elees reflected.</p> - -<p>Old Ledo looked at these impetuous ones. "We could not come back -another time—when Sandcliff would know where we were going!"</p> - -<p>"But what can happen?" Rok protested. "We've got our battle-axes—even -Elees and Roya have theirs!"</p> - -<p>Old Ledo's unimpressed glance went to mid-raft. There were three great -black battle-axes and two smaller ones.</p> - -<p>In that instant Toka weighed the pro and con. "We'll go in a little -way."</p> - -<p>Roya and Elees swiftly placed each man's battle-ax handy then balanced -easily in mid-raft with their own light weapons. The lazy current -guiding the raft, the men shipped their poles.</p> - -<p>Roya suddenly pointed over the side of the raft. "Look! glowing -fish—in all colors!"</p> - -<p>"But how vicious looking!" Elees exclaimed.</p> - -<p>Roya reached into the party's food basket. "I'll toss them a porkchop!"</p> - -<p>The chop plopped into the river. The water churned violently—and -calmed. The fish had devoured the chop almost instantly! The river was -swarming with the vicious creatures now. And the raft was moving faster -than the river—a school of the fish adhering to the craft and driving -it!</p> - -<p>As Toka swiftly used the sweep, Rok and Old Ledo thrust their poles -as brakes. But the water roiled violently and in instants the fish -shredded sweep and poles off at the water line. Above the party's heads -the choraling slowly rose in volume. As the raft rounded a huge bend, -Toka felt his nerves tighten.</p> - -<p>The luminous cavern and its river straightened and flowed between -colossal green pillars set close together from wall to wall and from -roof down into the river. The raft was only twenty paces from the -colossal grill and being driven inexorably toward it. The choraling of -Toka's name came through even clearer....</p> - -<p>"Look!" Roya exclaimed.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Rising silently, the massive columns hung from the roof like green -fangs. The fish drove the raft on, and the columns descended with -a watery whisper. The cavern widened. From the right bank, fields -and forests stretched away. On the left bank was a city of spheroid -structure. Massed along the banks and bridges, the choralers were -human, their green attire but scantily adequate, their titian hair worn -in a loop between the shoulders.</p> - -<p>The raft scraped gently against a wharf and Toka led his party ashore. -As the patriarchal dignitaries stepped forward, Toka noted another -universal characteristic—all these strange people had pale silvery -eyes.</p> - -<p>But Roya was startled by something else. "Toka! Those figurines on -their necklaces are perfect likenesses of you!"</p> - -<p>The oldest patriarch was reverent. "Yes, fair Roya. All Kosanna wears -Great Prince Toka's divine likeness."</p> - -<p>Toka glanced a warning to his startled comrades—<i>accept this situation -and play along</i>.</p> - -<p>"Great Prince Toka," the patriarch bid. "Your palanquins await your -divine pleasure."</p> - -<p>Toka lounged into the one bearing his likeness on its sides. Roya and -the others occupied the rest. The procession wound through the city, -into a great square packed with choraling Kosannans and toward a -colossal statue that was Toka, even to his royally engraved weapons!</p> - -<p>On the great white altar base black braziers were being lit by -beautiful girls. As the procession came beside the altar, a girl -with a jeweled wand stepped down to march on the right side of -Toka's palanquin. The way led on across the square and to a great -white-and-gold stairway that rose away to an immense domed palace. -All choraling abruptly ceased and the bearers gently lowered the -palanquins. Toka and party stepped out.</p> - -<p>The old patriarch assumed a ceremonial pose. "O Great Prince Toka. No -farther may we lowly ones travel." He bowed to the girl with the wand. -"May you and the Princess Wanda now ascend to your divinely ordained -tasks."</p> - -<p>Aware of Roya's sarcastically raised eyebrow, Toka played on. "Lead up, -good Princess Wanda."</p> - -<p>Halfway up the long stairway, Rok frowned. "What gets me—"</p> - -<p>A great gong throbbed urgently.</p> - -<p>Wanda whirled. "O great Prince Toka! Your first test is at hand!" She -raced away for the distant summit of the stairway.</p> - -<p>In moments the square and city below were deserted. Toka and the men -formed a V around Roya and Elees.</p> - -<p>"What's that flapping sound?" Roya puzzled.</p> - -<p>Toka trained his eyes on that distant cavern into which the river -vanished after passing Kosanna. And from that black hole shot six -huge dragons! Mottled a pale yellow and green and equipped with great -wings, their sinuous lengths tapered to a series of blue rattles. Their -triangular skulls were set with unwinking pink eyes. From their upper -jaws great yellow fangs curved down to vicious pin-points.</p> - -<p>As the dragons streaked for his party, Toka's powerful being sang for -action and his great battle-ax was a whistling blur. His voice was -cool. "Take their fangs first!"</p> - -<p>The dragons' huge rattles began vibrating angrily. One dragon shot on -for the top of the stairway. Hissing viciously, the remaining ones -ganged in for Toka and company.</p> - -<p>Toka's battle-ax cracked true and sent fangs spinning away. Clear venom -dripping from the stumps, the dragon instantly recoiled in violent -pain. But another came streaking in. Again Toka's battle-ax shot true -in that one-two cracking and a second victim convulsed violently and -collided with the angry others. All five were a wild melee over the -square.</p> - -<p>A scream slashed through the din. Toka glanced. Blue tail coiled about -Wanda, the sixth dragon was winging away.</p> - -<p>"Here they come again!" Rok warned.</p> - -<p>Having untangled themselves, the five unburdened dragons were tearing -back to the attack.</p> - -<p>Toka's command was cool and taut. "Serve it straight!"</p> - -<p>His whistling battle-ax struck between a set of those blazing eyes and -tore through in a bloody shower. In violent death throes, the monster -was piling onto the stairway. But another was hurtling in. Again Toka's -vicious battle-ax tore home and another dragon was piling down.</p> - -<p>A slimy scaliness whipped around Toka's legs. His battle-ax butchered -huge coils but others replaced them with crushing power and great wings -pounded him.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then he saw a coil whip around Roya and a terrible strength surged from -his depths. His mighty ax was a screaming viciousness. He was free and -leaping for Roya and slashing those coils from her. He snatched her -clear and whirled to catalog the battle scene. The surviving dragons -were retreating hurriedly into the down-river cavern.</p> - -<p>The mysterious gong of Kosanna was instantly exultant. The people began -pouring from hiding. Princesses were gathering atop the stairway, and -from all Kosannan throats came a great cheer.</p> - -<p>But Toka was anxiously eyeing the gore-spattered Roya. "All right now?"</p> - -<p>As she restored her sun-gold briefs to flattering modesty, Roya's blue -eyes fondly held him. "How about yourself?"</p> - -<p>Shifting his own gory briefs aright, Toka grinned. "Looking for a -bath."</p> - -<p>Elees joined them. "If this crazy place has a bath!"</p> - -<p>Turning from the mess of heads, coils and wings strewn down the great -stairway, Toka led the way on up.</p> - -<p>"Hey!" Rok urged sardonically. "Listen to what those palace girls up -yonder are yodeling!"</p> - -<p>"'Ascend, ascend, ascend!'" Roya mimicked sarcastically. "'Ascend, O -Great Prince Toka! Ascend to your divine abode!'" Roya's last remark -was not in mimicry. "Blah, blah, blah!"</p> - -<p>"Watch yourselves," Toka warned quietly as they neared the terrace.</p> - -<p>The princesses formed a cortege about Toka and party. In the concave -entry of the palace, a princess with a black wand waited alone.</p> - -<p>An odd exaltation was in her voice. "O Great Prince Toka. Welcome to -your divine palace. I am Princess Alota." With a bow, she turned and -led them down an immense hall. "Great Prince Toka's Hall Of Life," -Alota intoned.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Beginning on the inner sides of the great entry portals, art work -progressively lined the walls and the many sets of huge doors. In -exquisite execution it portrayed Toka's eventful life from birth -in distant Sandcliff to his latest victory—exactly as it had all -occurred! But ahead for fully a hundred paces the Hall stretched green -and bare, except for a huge bas-relief of Toka on the set of doors at -the far end.</p> - -<p>"How can they know all this?" Elees puzzled softly.</p> - -<p>"And why," Roya worried quietly, "don't they show the rest of the -future?"</p> - -<p>Toka was gentle but royally commanding. "Princess Alota, why has this -not been finished?"</p> - -<p>Alota answered humbly. "As Great Prince Toka knows all, so he knows his -Hall Of Life cannot be extended until the divinely ordained times." -Leading them to the pair of doors at which the Hall ended, Alota -touched her wand to each, then stood obsequiously aside as the portals -began swinging away. "O Great Prince Toka. Your personal rooms."</p> - -<p>Old Ledo strolled in last and the great doors began swinging to.</p> - -<p>"O Great Prince Toka," Alota bid. "When you have refreshed yourself, -we shall return to escort you to your banquet."</p> - -<p>As the doors snugged together, Toka was to them, ear to the crevice -where they joined.</p> - -<p>"Well?" Rok urged impatiently.</p> - -<p>"Gone back up the Hall." Toka pressed this side of the doors. No action.</p> - -<p>"We could tune up our little axes on them," Rok suggested laconically. -Toka hesitated.</p> - -<p>Old Ledo was dry. "Perhaps we'll meet the so-called brains of this mad -society at that banquet."</p> - -<p>"Likely." Toka joined in cataloguing the room.</p> - -<p>Windowless, and illumined by the softly glowing ceiling, it was a -restful lounge room. Roya pushed open the plain green door at the -rear. Battle-axes idling, Toka and the others followed. A short -cross-corridor led into luxurious bedrooms. The left one had three -large beds, the right two huge ones.</p> - -<p>"Everything for every one of us," Roya mused.</p> - -<p>"But no bath!" Elees complained.</p> - -<p>"I've found it!" Rok shouted.</p> - -<p>All followed him through the door opposite the lounge room. The newest -room was all green. Around the pool ran a generous width of stone floor.</p> - -<p>Dropping her ax, Elees ran for the white diving board. Her voice rang -in merry challenge. "Last one in is a glue-foot!"</p> - -<p>Rok raced after her. "Not me!"</p> - -<p>Roya abruptly flung her arm around Toka's neck and tumbled them both -in—and the water frolic was on.</p> - -<p>Refreshed and clean again, the party split to the respective bedrooms. -Toka faced Rok and Old Ledo. "Any ideas?"</p> - -<p>"The Kosannans we've seen so far," Old Ledo offered, "are anything but -combative."</p> - -<p>"We could butcher them by the hundreds." Rok toyed with his battle-ax. -"Only...."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps," Toka hoped as he led for the lounge room, "we'll learn -something definite at that banquet."</p> - -<p>Roya and Elees were waiting. At once a reverent knocking came on the -great entry doors.</p> - -<p>Assuming his role, Toka intoned royally, "Enter!" The great doors began -swinging in.</p> - -<p>As the procession moved up the Hall Of Life, Toka was startled by the -addition to the reliefs on the wall—a perfect portrayal of the frolic -in the bathing pool!</p> - -<p>"I," Old Ledo mused dryly, "didn't see any of them in there with us."</p> - -<p>Surfacely casual, Toka spoke ahead to their guide. "Kosanna's artisans -are swift, O Princess Alota—as well as accurate."</p> - -<p>Alota bowed her titian head in acknowledgment. "As Great Prince Toka -knows all, so he knows the scene of his frolic in his pool was ready -for installation even before he came to Kosanna."</p> - -<p>Proceeding to a pair of doors on her right, Alota led them into a -vast auditorium, beautifully scened of wall and softly glowing of -vaulted ceiling. There was a tremendous black banquet table, its center -gleaming and bare. Beside ornate black chairs down each side, hundreds -of beautiful princesses stood expectantly. At the far end of the -table was a great stage, its black curtain hanging in huge folds. An -enchanting perfume filled the air.</p> - -<p>Toka sauntered to the quintet of white chairs at the head of the table. -Each chair back bore a small but perfect likeness of the member of the -"divine" party who was to sit in it.</p> - -<p>"Aren't there any men in this palace?" Elees wondered lowly.</p> - -<p>"Maybe the whole place is a harem," Rok posed puckishly, "just waiting -for Toka."</p> - -<p>Toka was aware of Roya instantly stiffening. Comparing her sunny blonde -and creamy-tan loveliness with the titian and milk-white beauty of the -Kosanna princesses, Toka failed to see why Roya should be irritated.</p> - -<p>Alota raised her wand. At once the curtain on the distant stage rustled -aside to reveal a choir of sheerly gowned princesses who began a low -choraling. With a swaying of diaphanous gown, the choir parted and a -line of graceful girls danced out, bearing large trays.</p> - -<p>"Brother!" Rok gaped.</p> - -<p>Toka felt the warmth creeping into his face. If those dancing girls -wore more than silver gilt it was not discernible. And straight down -to Toka the creatures danced. After passing each tray before him, as if -for benediction, the girls danced away right and left, serving first -the rest of Toka's party and then the princesses down each side of the -table.</p> - -<p>As the exotic banquet progressed, a thought occurred to Toka. "O -Princess Alota."</p> - -<p>"As Great Prince Toka wishes."</p> - -<p>"Are here gathered all my ones of my palace?"</p> - -<p>"As Great Prince Toka knows all, so he knows that tomorrow he shall -meet the Council Of Kosanna's Old Ones."</p> - -<p>"So," Roya mocked quietly, "the big brains aren't dining with us after -all!"</p> - -<p>"They'd probably pop an old blood vessel at sight of these dancing -girls!" Elees mused sardonically.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>As his party was escorted down the Hall Of Life, Toka was only mildly -surprised at the newest scene—of the banquet from beginning to end. -Escorted into the lounge room, Toka and party watched the great doors -swing shut.</p> - -<p>Elees yawned. "At least we seem to have <i>some</i> privacy."</p> - -<p>Roya was drowsy. "Is it getting dark or am I just sleepy?"</p> - -<p>"Hey," Rok affirmed lazily, "the ceilings are dimming."</p> - -<p>Old Ledo now yawned. "Even have night and day in this crazy cave."</p> - -<p>"Let's go to bed," Elees urged from her lethargy.</p> - -<p>Old Ledo yawned again. "I guess they won't bother us."</p> - -<p>"After all," Toka reasoned lazily, "why wear ourselves out tonight when -we're going to meet those Old Ones tomorrow anyway?"</p> - -<p>Rok yawned. "Sure! Let's grab some sleep."</p> - -<p>Roya and Elees pulled down the silkily rustling covers of their beds.</p> - -<p>Elees yawned. "I could go to bed with all my clothes on." She sat on -her bed—and swayed backward.</p> - -<p>The utter lethargy was pulling Roya into her own invitingly soft bed. -"Who needs ... clothes off...."</p> - -<p>Elees was beyond answering. Roya, too, relaxed into the dreamless -depths.</p> - -<p>Toka tossed down the rustling covers of his bed. Sleep weighted -his eyelids and pulled at his consciousness. Not even bothering to -remove battle knives, Rok and Old Ledo were sprawling into their beds. -Sandals, battle knife and all, Toka stretched out on his bed and sank -into its wonderful softness. "Been a ... big day...."</p> - -<p>Rok and Old Ledo could not answer. Toka let the restful void take him.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">II</p> - -<p>Toka's dreamless slumber seemed to have lasted but moments. The ceiling -was just returning to its full light of day as Toka sat up. The beds -of Rok and Old Ledo were empty. And Toka's weapons were nowhere to -be found! He was into the girls' room. Nothing! He was to the pool. -Nothing. He stepped to the lounge room. The emptiness mocked him. Why -couldn't he have seen that drowsiness last night was abnormal! Hot -anger spread through Toka. <i>If anyone had harmed Roya</i>.... Picking -up a stone lounge, Toka slammed it to the doors. The heavy lounge -shattered—the doors stood impervious. Why hadn't he and Rok used their -battle-axes when they had the chance!</p> - -<p>The great doors suddenly opened and the cortege was there.</p> - -<p>Toka's voice was a whip. "Where are my comrades!"</p> - -<p>Alota bowed servantly. "Only the Council Of Kosanna's Old Ones may now -answer Toka's divine testing."</p> - -<p>If only these princesses were men so a man could beat a straight answer -out of them! "Then take me to the Old Ones at once!" Toka strode into -the Hall Of Life and followed Alota.</p> - -<p>Toka scarcely noted another pair of scenes—one showing him and his -party asleep last night, the other portraying his quarters awry and him -whaling that lounge against the doors.</p> - -<p>Alota was touching her wand to a pair of great doors on her left, to -reveal a golden stairway leading up in a broad spiral. Alert, Toka -leaped up the long spiral to a pair of gigantic black doors. They swung -away and Toka stepped through. He was on a broad black terrace that -circled a vast court. A golden light diffused through the domed roof. -In mid-court a huge crystal sphere rested atop a black sculpture of -nude maidens.</p> - -<p>Seated in great chairs around the far half of the court were twelve men -in voluminous black robes. Above flowing white beards their features -displayed the withering of antiquity. Their silvery eyes never wavered -from Toka.</p> - -<p>"O Great Prince Toka," a mellow contralto intoned, "Queen Kolano and -the Old Ones welcome your divine presence!"</p> - -<p>In the huge black chair directly between the twelve Old Ones sat a -woman surpassing in beauty all Kosanna's princesses. Her attire was the -typical green scantiness—brilliantly jeweled.</p> - -<p>"Where are my friends and weapons!" Toka's demand rang in the vaulted -court.</p> - -<p>Kolano's contralto echoed mellowly. "O Great Prince Toka—behold the -Sphere Of All Time!"</p> - -<p>Kolano and the Old Ones centered their silvery eyes on the huge Sphere. -A faint thrumming sang through the court and a chill swept the air. The -golden light faded swiftly. The Sphere seemed suspended in a black void.</p> - -<p>"O Great Prince Toka!" Kolano intoned. "Behold the time of Present!"</p> - -<p>The Sphere shone with a pale cold light and Toka saw his quarters. The -rooms had been cleaned and straightened. Rok and Old Ledo were sprawled -comfortably on their beds, their weapons beside them. The Sphere Of All -Time abruptly dulled.</p> - -<p>"O Great Prince Toka!" Once more Kolano's contralto echoed through the -chill and thrumming air, "Behold the time of Past and Present!"</p> - -<p>Again the Sphere shone with that pale cold light. Toka saw Kosanna's -square as in moonlight and shadow. The door between the feet of -that colossal statue of him swung in. Led by Alota, a procession of -princesses marched out—each four carrying a black bier on which lay -a girl. The first eight wore only small Toka figurines between their -breasts. These eight girls were laid in a row on the fore edge of the -altar.</p> - -<p>Two more biers were carried out. Deprived only of weapons and -consciousness, their occupants were Roya and Elees! They were added to -the girls at altar's edge. At a wave of Alota's wand the princesses -retired.</p> - -<p>Toka wanted to cry out—but even in speech he was immobile! And ten -dragons swept over the deserted city. Flapping above the altar, each -monster whipped its tail about a girl and carried her away. Back over -the city the dragons lined—and shot into that down-river cavern.</p> - -<p>The Sphere Of All Time held to the route—through a dungeon gloom, on -to a weirdly illumined area of slowly swirling steam and grotesque -stalagmites, then through a black tunnel guarded by a dragon at coiled -rest. Down into a vast red pit of stalagmites and stalactites, of -yellow steam and slimy green moss hangings, the way led. And each -dragon placed its prize in a green cage, latched the door, then flapped -away into a great den of their own.</p> - -<p>Regaining consciousness and beholding their position, the Kosanna girls -began shuddering in abject fear. Of finer stuff, Roya and Elees fought -to retain reason and hope—when a horde of the pit's inhabitants came -into view!</p> - -<p>Terror ripped through Toka. The things were half man and half dragon, -their slimy scaliness a shiny black mottled through with a fiery -red. From their flat reptilian heads lidless red eyes burned with an -insatiable lust. From their mouths yellow fangs thrust down to vicious -needlepoints. Their hands and feet ended in ten long and sinuous -digits. Their bodies continued on down beyond their pelvis to become a -tail that ended in a restless coil of blue rattles.</p> - -<p>The Sphere Of All Time toured that pit. Working abjectly at cutting -and gathering moss, or hopeless slaves in the dens pocking the pit's -perimeter, were hundreds of Kosanna girls.</p> - -<p>Fear and rage tore through Toka. Yet even with the tremendous strength -that came surging from his depths he could not move or speak!</p> - -<p>The Sphere Of All Time dulled. The taut thrumming and chill faded. The -blackness changed swiftly to golden light. Kolano and the Old Ones -centered their silvery eyes on Toka. The spell dropped from him.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Toka whirled to leave—but in that instant he could not move! The Old -Ones' silvery eyes on him, Toka heard Kolano's contralto echo in the -vast court. "As divinely ordained, Great Prince Toka shall listen."</p> - -<p>Though he strained mightily, he could not do otherwise.</p> - -<p>"When the Dragon Women bore only males and so became extinct," Kolano's -contralto echoed calmly, "the men of Ophid exacted tribute from -Kosanna. Yet Kosanna girls gave birth only to Dragon Men. Thus, even -though Kosanna grows ever less, ten girls still are sacrificed each -night—lest Ophid come and destroy all Kosanna and take all our girls."</p> - -<p>Toka's voice was his to make an angry demand. "Why were Roya and Elees -included last night!"</p> - -<p>Kolano smiled calmly. "As ordained by the Sphere Of All Time, Great -Prince Toka must have that incentive to destroy Ophid."</p> - -<p>Toka blazed his request. "Then restore my fellow warriors and me at -once—that we may attack Ophid!"</p> - -<p>"On one condition."</p> - -<p>If only he could regain his weapons! The sweat of fear was on him now. -"What is your condition!"</p> - -<p>"Great Prince Toka must wed me first."</p> - -<p>The woman was mad! Toka rang out his instant decision. "I refuse!"</p> - -<p>Kolano shrugged. "Great Prince Toka is even now reconsidering—and -seeing that certain things are ordained."</p> - -<p>Held immobile and bathed in a cold sweat, Toka found his swift mind -reconsidering. Roya and Elees—about to be—He dare not think it—his -reason would shatter to insanity! The sweat dripped into his eyes as he -fought his voice from shaking. "I accept!"</p> - -<p>Kolano was smiling softly. "Great Prince Toka may now return to his -rooms. The wedding shall then occur—after which Toka shall be given -his weapons and sent to the realm of Ophid."</p> - -<p>The Old Ones' silvery eyes lessened their hypnotic intensity and Toka -whirled for the opening doors. A gong was joyous somewhere outside. An -exultant choraling was beginning. The high portals at the bottom of the -spiral stairway swung in as Toka neared the last step. The cortege ran -to escorting position as Toka raced down the Hall Of Life. He spared a -glance for the latest art work—a portrayal of his recent experiences -up in that domed court.</p> - -<p>Alota was flashing her wand to his doors. Toka was across the restored -lounge room and into his bedroom—was shaking Rok violently, then Old -Ledo.</p> - -<p>"Holy lizards!" Rok snapped. "What's wrong?"</p> - -<p>The distant gonging and choraling an affirming background, Toka tried -to begin educating his friends.</p> - -<p>But the angry Rok leaped for the lounge room. "I'll murder every -blasted Kosannan and dragon in my way!"</p> - -<p>The deadly angry Old Ledo's voice rasped more sanely. "We've got to get -Toka's weapons first!"</p> - -<p>Rok swung abruptly to Toka. "Where are they!"</p> - -<p>"I get them after I marry Kolano!"</p> - -<p>Rok and Old Ledo stared. But the portals were swinging. Alota and the -cortege was waiting. Toka had to play his part out—it was the fastest -way.</p> - -<p>Toka sped back up the Hall Of Life. A new scene had been added—Toka -awakening Rok and Old Ledo and his explanatory discussion with them. -The great entry portals were swinging and Kosanna's exalted gonging -and choraling flooded about Toka as he ran down the long stairway. The -massed Kosannans in the square formed a lane to the altar where Kolano -was waiting.</p> - -<p>"I've never killed any woman," Rok offered loyally, "but—"</p> - -<p>"Save it for the Dragon Men!" Toka leaped to the altar and strode for -the edge. The gonging and choraling was so tremendous that the very -stonework vibrated underfoot.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>With a gaze of coming passion, Kolano turned. "O Great Prince Toka—it -is the moment."</p> - -<p>"Let's get on with it!" Toka snapped.</p> - -<p>Kolano raised a jeweled arm to the Kosannans. The gonging and choraling -abruptly silenced. The door between the feet of the colossal statue -swung away and the black-robed Old Ones marched out in a double line to -Toka and Kolano. The leading two ceremoniously carried deeply fringed -black pillows, one goldenly embroidered GREAT PRINCE TOKA, the other -GREAT QUEEN KOLANO. All twelve Old Ones began a sing-song chant in -anciently quavering voices.</p> - -<p>"O Great Prince Toka! O Great Queen Kolano! Take up your ring! Take up -your ring!..."</p> - -<p>As did Kolano from hers, so Toka took up the fiery jeweled ring from -his pillow.</p> - -<p>"Face each other! Face each other!" the Old Ones chanted as all Kosanna -listened.</p> - -<p>Toka fought his features expressionless.</p> - -<p>"... Extend left hands! Extend left hands!..."</p> - -<p>Kolano's silvery eyes smouldered possessively at Toka.</p> - -<p>"... Extend third fingers! Extend third fingers!..."</p> - -<p>The cold sweat was bathing Toka again. But no immobility held him—only -desire to get his great battle weapons and go for Roya!</p> - -<p>"... Place your rings! Place your rings!..."</p> - -<p>Where was his ax and knife!</p> - -<p>"... On the other's finger! On the other's finger!..."</p> - -<p>Toka thrust his ring on Kolano's marriage finger and received her -brilliant band.</p> - -<p>"... You are one! You are one!..." The Old Ones paused. "It is done!"</p> - -<p>At once all Kosanna was gonging and choraling to the heights of joy. -The air beat with it. The stone trembled with it. Rok and Old Ledo were -muttering savagely. Kolano was trying to embrace Toka.</p> - -<p>He thrust her from him. "My weapons—where are they?"</p> - -<p>Disappointment was momentarily hot in Kolano's eyes. "They are here, O -Great Prince Toka! And your canoe awaits beside the wharf!"</p> - -<p>From beneath the voluminous robes of the second pair of Old Ones -appeared Toka's weapons. Snatching his battle knife and buckling it on, -Toka grabbed his great battle-ax and leaped from the altar. The wildly -joyous Kosannans parted. Rok and Old Ledo fleet at his flanks, Toka -raced across the square and down to the wharf. Only a long black canoe -was awaiting. In a split instant Toka was kneeling at the bow thwart -with black paddle in hand. Rok was as ready amidships, Old Ledo in the -stern.</p> - -<p>The men thrust free of the wharf and dug their paddles. The canoe -leaped for the down-river cavern. Only dripping gloom met straining -eyes. Only the liquid swishing of three paddles digging fast and -deep came to the ears. And ever Toka's being strained ahead to that -hell-hole where Roya was....</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">III</p> - -<p>The canoe shot on like a fleet black ghost. Suddenly the river ended in -a great whirlpool just ahead and the cavern spread away on the right, -its extent shrouded in shifting haze rising from pools of many colors. -Slowing the canoe into a cluster of stalagma, Toka tied it secure and -stepped ashore. Slithering dangerously on the warm muck, he ran between -boiling pools and swallowing slime holes, Rok and Old Ledo at his heels.</p> - -<p>The mucky way led uphill and the haze began eddying into thin strands -to reveal a glistening black wall ridged with colorful columns. -Peering from behind one that towered away into the shifting haze, Toka -considered the huge opening at the summit of this mucky slope.</p> - -<p>Old Ledo wrinkled his nose eloquently. "The thing's in there!"</p> - -<p>"Rok and I will get behind those columns to each side of that opening," -Toka decided swiftly. "When I wave my arm Old Ledo will tap this column -with his ax."</p> - -<p>The haze eddied back. Toka and Rok separated on their swift ways. Rok -was quickly into position. Edging out, Toka peered warily into the -tunnel. Midway back and dimly revealed by the weird light reflected in -from out here was one of the huge dragons, fanged head resting atop -mighty coils and wings, lidless pink eyes watchful.</p> - -<p>Raising his arm and dropping it, Toka poised. Old Ledo tapped the -column and a deep chime-tone shimmered on the warm air. There was a -scaly sliding within the tunnel and that huge fanged head thrust out. -That greenly mottled yellow body began following in long undulations. -That rattlered tail finally flipped clear and Toka shot across the -muck. His mighty battle-ax bit home and tore on through—and that tail -could buzz no warning. The dragon convulsed with beating wings only to -have Rok's great ax whistle into the base of its skull. Old Ledo came -loping up the mucky slope and in intense moments it was all over—the -remains tossed into slime holes that gulped away all traces. Even -the wildly churned muck of the slope was settling back into a tawny -smoothness that told no tales.</p> - -<p>Rok and Old Ledo at his heels, Toka raced the length of the tunnel. It -opened onto a small red ledge overlooking a shifting haze shot through -with varicolored light. Columns of brilliant shadings thrust massively -from it only to vanish again into the yellow vapor. Pale green moss -hangings swung lazily and the musky stench of reptiles was heavy on the -steamy air.</p> - -<p>Rok and Old Ledo following, Toka was fleeting down the narrow path that -dropped from the ledge in a great curve. Hissing laughter and voices -drifting thinly through the eddying haze now, Toka and comrades slipped -behind a huge moss drape and peered carefully about.</p> - -<p>The path spread away onto the floor of the pit. Through crusty -cracks in the red rock, vapor spiraled up to form the shifting haze. -Stretching away right and left, the pit's moss-hung walls towered from -view.</p> - -<p>Rok and Old Ledo with him, Toka stepped from the moss drape and strode -swiftly for a mighty column. <i>Covered by the haze and taking advantage -of these columns</i>—</p> - -<p>Around that column darted a redly mottled black Dragon Boy. His snaky -features gaped. Also startled, Toka flashed his battle-ax to kill him. -But the boy scrambled too agilely and raced away into the haze—his -tail vibrating the warning!</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Toka's gaze leaped to a nearby door. Battle-ax swinging, he stepped in. -Old Ledo shut the door. In the pale green light given off by the low -ceiling the storage den was unoccupied.</p> - -<p>"To the back!" Toka was scrambling over the springy moss heaps, Rok and -Old Ledo with him.</p> - -<p>At the back the men burrowed from view. The den's door clanked open and -the raucous sounds of the great search came clearer.</p> - -<p>"How would they know where to hide!" a searcher hissed.</p> - -<p>The moss transmitted the weights and movements of the -searchers—directly over-head now. Toka could even hear them breathing.</p> - -<p>"King Ophid is right!" a disgruntled searcher hissed. "The boy has been -drinking too much moss dew!"</p> - -<p>The clamor in the pit suddenly sharpened.</p> - -<p>"Now what!" an exasperated searcher hissed.</p> - -<p>"The tunnel dragon is gone without trace!" another deciphered.</p> - -<p>"The thing is probably only out looking around!" the exasperated -searcher reasoned. "Why doesn't King Ophid call off this looking," he -hissingly whispered, "so we can eat some of our moss and go to nest."</p> - -<p>"Fool!" the disgruntled searcher hissed softly. "The moss supervisor is -watching us!" He spoke in louder hiss, "Come on—there's nothing here!"</p> - -<p>The searchers scrambled away, the door slammed and Toka rifled his gaze -over the moss heaps. The den was deserted. Rok and Old Ledo with him, -Toka was to the door. The search in the pit fast subsiding, Toka eased -the door a crack. The hazy stalagmited scene deserted, Toka slipped out -with battle-ax ready. Rok followed lightly. Old Ledo came along and -closed the door cluelessly.</p> - -<p>Rok and Old Ledo at his heels, Toka stole swiftly for the center of the -silent pit—and the cages. But every one was empty!</p> - -<p>The fear ripped through Toka. "Old Ledo, take the back third of the -pit! Rok, take the right third! Listen at every door! Get Roya and -Elees—or kill them." Toka spoke grimly on. "All doors open out—brace -each one! We'll meet at the moss den!"</p> - -<p>Rok and Old Ledo whirled away. At the first door of his own area, Toka -heard only Dragon Men. Snatching up a shard from a column, he braced it -against the door and was away. Den after den of Dragon Men was swiftly -secured.</p> - -<p>A den of slave girls was encountered. "Get out!" Toka commanded -tersely. "Hide in the moss den by the path!" The pitiful girls filed -away.</p> - -<p>Toka was on—securing the massive double doors to the vast den of the -huge dragons. But he must be near to the end of his sector—and no -Roya!</p> - -<p>Peering around a massive column, Toka saw the haze ahead abruptly -thin—to reveal an ornate doorway above which was sculptured a spiked -collar. To each side of this door a huge dragon lay coiled on guard. -The yellow haze swirled back over the scene.</p> - -<p>"Toka!" Roya's voice cried. "Tok—"</p> - -<p>Fear ripping through him, Toka leaped for that door. In the yellow haze -the first dragon reared its head and flexed its massive coils. Toka's -knife arm whipped and his vicious blade was a black glitter. The dragon -darted its head but Toka's battle knife sank to its hilt between those -baleful pink eyes. The dragon hissed and shuddered. The second one slid -from the haze. Toka's battle-ax whistled viciously and sent the ugly -head toppling from its sinuous body.</p> - -<p>Leaping over the dying dragons, Toka slammed his battle-ax to that -door. It flapped out—and rage exploded through Toka!</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The hissing laughter of the Dragon Men threaded through the stark -screaming of the Kosanna girls.</p> - -<p>"They're coming for us now!" Elees gasped.</p> - -<p>A group of the Dragon Men gathered about the cage. One was unlatching -the trap door.</p> - -<p>As the Dragon Man advanced, Roya command, "We are not of Kosanna! Take -us to your master!"</p> - -<p>The Dragon Man grinned mockingly. "You, fair one, are for our King -Ophid! But you, dark one—" Leaping with startling speed, he bowled -Roya and Elees to the scummy floor.</p> - -<p>Elees fought to escape the slimy creature. Roya battled to help. But -that rattlered tail uncoiled with blinding speed to smash her back and -the Dragon Man was carrying the frantically struggling Elees from the -cage. Roya leaped to follow—only to have gleeful Dragon Men clang the -door in her face. Instantly backing from the snaky fingers clawing -through the bars, Roya watched Elees born away into the eddying haze -and stench.</p> - -<p>Then there was an imperious vibration of rattlers. The mob about Roya's -cage instantly backed away and from out of the shifting haze swaggered -a giant Dragon Man wearing a spiked collar set with flashing gems.</p> - -<p>Flinging the cage door wide, he strode in with his voice hissing, "Ah, -the new Queen of King Ophid's realm!"</p> - -<p>Roya fought to control her terror. "My friend and I are not of Kosanna! -Release us or our people shall destroy you!"</p> - -<p>The King of the Dragon Men only reached for her. Roya ducked and -leaped. Ophid's claws grazed her back, then she was past him and the -door yawned ahead. But with blinding swiftness Ophid's tail whipped -around Roya's ankle and crashed her to the floor. Then his sinuous arms -wrapped about her and he was carrying her away through the eddying haze -and stench to a door above which was sculptured a spiked collar. Two -dragons were coiled on guard beside the door.</p> - -<p>"Toka!" Roya cried in stark desperation. "Toka!"</p> - -<p>There was only hissing laughter, mocking her.</p> - -<p>Thrusting Roya free, Ophid fingered the small masonries of the latch -area. In the sickly green light cast by the interior stonework, the -den was low and huge. As Ophid moved slowly toward her, Roya dodged -around the table and grasped the back of a chair. Red eyes staring -hypnotically, Ophid slowly rounded the table and came toward her.</p> - -<p>His snaky arms and hands began reaching slowly for her. Her flesh -cringed as though she were already naked. But she could not move—could -not utter a sound!</p> - -<p>Held by Ophid's red eyes, Roya felt her legs quivering. She sensed -those snaky fingers reaching closer and closer. In but a moment those -hands would—</p> - -<p>A frantic buzzing sounded from the pit and a pounding came on the door.</p> - -<p>Snaky features scowling, Ophid flung the portal wide. "What's all this -nonsense!"</p> - -<p>"But, sire," a Dragon Man hissed, "a boy swears he just saw the three -warriors from the Outer World!"</p> - -<p>... <i>the three warriors from the Outer World</i> cut through Roya's -hynotized mind. Toka had come!</p> - -<p>"The boy's mad!" Ophid hissed angrily. "No one could get past the -tunnel dragon!"</p> - -<p>"But, sire!" the alarmed Dragon Man furthered. "The boy swears the -three warriors are those who bested your six dragons sent to Kosanna!"</p> - -<p>"All right, all right!" Ophid accepted impatiently. "We'll search the -place and see! And if any—" The door slammed shut.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Roya was to it. It was locked. Racing her hands to find the releasing -mechanism, she listened to the commotion outside. Every Dragon Man and -Boy and winged reptile must be searching the pit!</p> - -<p>The door abruptly gave out from Roya's desperately searching hands! -But she shocked back as the King of the Dragon Men strode in. His -adroit tail flicked the door shut. Roya was behind a nearby chair. -Ophid turned to finger the latch. With strength born of new hope, Roya -grasped the chair and leaped. Ophid whirled and tried to convulse away. -The chair missed his head but slammed down on his arms and staggered -him.</p> - -<p>Glimpsing success, Roya flailed the chair again. But Ophid whipped his -tail around her ankle and threw her off balance as he tore the chair -from her hands.</p> - -<p>Roya contorted to sink her teeth into that tail coiled around her -ankle. Ophid hissed with pain. Leaping free, Roya snatched the other -chair as she dodged around the table. Ophid only stood before the -door—his red eyes burning unwinkingly. Roya knew he was trying to -hypnotize her again. But if she didn't let herself watch him....</p> - -<p>Roya centered her gaze on his redly mottled black torso. But Ophid was -swaying in a slow sinuous rhythm. Roya felt herself begin swaying with -him. In violent desperation Roya hurled her chair. Ophid only caught it -and set it down softly. There were no more this side of the table.</p> - -<p>Ophid began moving slowly toward Roya. His hissing voice was like his -eyes—impelling. "There are no warriors from your Outer World. There is -no one...."</p> - -<p>In desperation Roya upended the table and darted for the door. Only -reaching out, Ophid eased the table to the floor. Roya fumbled -frantically at the latch—but couldn't release it! Feeling Ophid's eyes -burning over her, she whirled. Rippling sinuously, tail swaying in -rhythm, Ophid was moving slowly backward.</p> - -<p>His hissing voice was an opiate. "It is useless, fair one. You cannot -resist what is to be...."</p> - -<p>Had Toka and the others not really come!</p> - -<p>Ophid was standing by his filthy nest now. "Come, fair one," he bid -softly. "Come, fair one ... come...."</p> - -<p>Those eyes—that voice.... Flesh chilled and crawling, Roya took a slow -step—another....</p> - -<p>"... And another step, fair one ... one more ... just one more...."</p> - -<p>Roya took another slow step—into those arms.</p> - -<p>"... Relax, fair one ... relax ... relax...."</p> - -<p>His scaly arms tightened about her. His fingers moved over her. His -scaly chest pressed against her breast. His slimy legs touched against -her. His facile tail coiled up around her flesh. Her legs quivered....</p> - -<p>Roya's senses reeled. If only she could speak ... one word....</p> - -<p>"Toka!" Roya heard her scream as from a distance. "Tok—" Ophid's slimy -lips were on her mouth....</p> - -<p>Ophid glanced up as his den door slammed out. Battle-ax swinging and -rage flaming through him, Toka leaped the overturned table. With one -convulsion Ophid hurled Roya at Toka, kicked aside the mossy nest and -plunged through the floor. Fast as thought Toka dropped his ax and -caught Roya.</p> - -<p>She met his anxious gaze. "I'm all right now, Toka."</p> - -<p>Snatching up his ax, Toka hurried Roya for the doorway. As he braced -Ophid's den, the haze momentarily thinned, revealing the next door, a -considerable distance beyond, had been braced—by Rok as he had begun -on that sector. Taking Roya's arm, Toka hurried through the shifting -haze and stalagma.</p> - -<p>"But Elees!" Roya protested.</p> - -<p>The haze swirled away ahead, revealing Rok and an unharmed Elees and -Old Ledo.</p> - -<p>"Let's get out!" Toka ran for the path.</p> - -<p>Old Ledo ran to the moss den. "All right, come on!" The pitiful slave -girls fell in behind the old warrior as he joined Toka on the narrow -path.</p> - -<p>The ledge came into sight. Toka eased to the tunnel's maw. Midway -back, a dragon was coiled on guard. Drawing back, Toka held up one -finger. Rok and Old Ledo joined him.</p> - -<p>Toka breathed, "Take it as it comes!" He skipped a rock across the -ledge.</p> - -<p>There was a heavy sliding within the tunnel and the dragon's head -thrust out. Rok and Old Ledo with him, Toka leaped with battle-ax -flashing. The three blades tore true and the dragon's head toppled -over the ledge. Aided by butchering blows of great axes, the violently -convulsing body plunged after.</p> - -<p>The tunnel's stinking gloom was traversed and the escapees crowded the -mucky shore of the underground river. Old Ledo came back. "No canoe."</p> - -<p>But that dilemma was instantly flung into the background as a murmur -suddenly swept through the hopeless slave girls. Even as Toka glanced -to ascertain the reason, the pitiful creatures began walking into -the river. Instantly the vicious fish swarmed. The first slaves went -down like mown blades of grass. The ones behind came on—hopeless, -impassive, unstoppable!</p> - -<p>Placing an arm about Roya's shoulders as she covered her face with her -hands, Toka turned sickly away.</p> - -<p>The river was finally quiet but for the empty swallowing of its -whirlpool.</p> - -<p>"Look!" Roya exclaimed.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">IV</p> - -<p>Toka followed Roya's gaze up river. As if guided by an invisible pilot, -an empty black canoe was drifting straight toward Toka. The party was -swiftly in. Thrusting his paddle into the mucky bank, Toka shoved the -canoe into the current. The paddles dipped, the canoe shot up-stream -into the gloom of the winding cavern.</p> - -<p>Roya's voice echoed musically. "Isn't that a ring you're wearing, Toka?"</p> - -<p>A miracle she hadn't noticed the damnable thing sooner!</p> - -<p>"Let me see it!" Roya laughed.</p> - -<p>"No time to stop paddling."</p> - -<p>"But where did you get it?"</p> - -<p>"Kosanna." Better he had stayed in the pit of Ophid!</p> - -<p>Roya sensed something in Toka's quiet terseness, in the odd silence of -Rok and Old Ledo. "Toka, what does it mean?"</p> - -<p>Only the swift thrusting of the paddles and the swush of the river -against the canoe's shell filled the next moments. Roya's patient -waiting for an answer was inescapable.</p> - -<p>"It means," Toka replied quietly, "that I ... shall not be leaving -Kosanna."</p> - -<p>Roya took it surprisingly well. "And the rest of us?"</p> - -<p>"Free to go, I guess."</p> - -<p>"Why can't you come too?" Roya wouldn't give up till she knew.</p> - -<p>Toka tried to keep it factual. "I married Queen Kolano."</p> - -<p>"And who is Queen Kolano?"</p> - -<p>Toka tried to explain. "Lives in the palace—up in the dome or some -place. I met her—" Why explain his crazy trance! "So...."</p> - -<p>"Toka, I hope you and Queen Kolano will be very happy." Roya quivered -with the hurt.</p> - -<p>The dank cavern curved—to reveal the distant glow of Kosanna. Joyous -choraling came on the air.</p> - -<p>The singing was a mockery to Toka. "Roya, look. I only—"</p> - -<p>"I understand perfectly." Roya dismissed him.</p> - -<p>Rok cut in. "See here, Roya—"</p> - -<p>"Let it go!" Toka ordered edgily. <i>He'd gotten what he'd paid for.</i></p> - -<p>The canoe shot into the full light of Kosanna and closed to the wharf. -Toka led his party ashore. The joyous choraling filled the air and -trembled the stone underfoot.</p> - -<p>Flanked by the impassive Old Ones, Kolano stepped forward. "We hail -Great Prince Toka's triumphant return!" Flinging her arms around Toka's -neck, she searched her eager lips for his.</p> - -<p>Toka thrust free. "These others may now return to the Outer World?"</p> - -<p>"In that very canoe," Kolano assured freely.</p> - -<p>Rok was loyal. "I'll stay."</p> - -<p>"Double it," Old Ledo added.</p> - -<p>Elees glanced to Roya.</p> - -<p>Toka spared them. "Thanks. But Kolano and I shall make out all right."</p> - -<p>Toka watched Roya and his friends paddle away into that up-stream -cavern. Rok, Old Ledo and Elees glanced back and waved. Roya only -faced straight ahead. The canoe turned the bend and was gone.</p> - -<p>Shrugging hopelessly, Toka turned away.</p> - -<p>Thirteen ornate palanquins awaited. Toka joined Kolano in the double -one. The Old Ones sat into the others.</p> - -<p>As the procession moved through Kosanna, Toka drilled his gaze into -Kolano's silvery eyes. "My vow is not binding unless your promise is -fulfilled."</p> - -<p>"Toka has no cause for suspicion—as he shall see."</p> - -<p>The great square was near now. Toka narrowly eyed Kolano. "Why didn't -Kosanna migrate to the Outer World to escape tribute to Ophid?"</p> - -<p>"Kosannans," Kolano educated, "would perish instantly in the elements -of the Outer World."</p> - -<p>"If you and the Old Ones are so capable," Toka mocked, "why wasn't a -spell cast over Ophid and his realm?"</p> - -<p>"The present Old Ones are the greatest mentalities Kosanna ever -had—but they have their limitations."</p> - -<p>The palanquins were born to the foot of the altar, and Kolano bid -softly, "I shall rejoin you soon, Toka." She led the Old Ones for the -door between the feet of the colossal statue.</p> - -<p>Going down the Hall Of Life, Toka noted the scene of his marriage -to Kolano had been added to the continuity; his expedition to Ophid -and his deeds there; his return to Kosanna; and Roya and the others -departing for the Outer World. Yet a good length of the Hall remained -bare.</p> - -<p>Alota did not lead to his rooms at the end of the Hall, but stopped -before a pair of unscened panels on the left. Caring little, Toka -sauntered in. There was this luxurious lounge room. Then, through a -door scened with entwined hearts and embracing lovers, there was a -teasingly scented boudoir.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">V</p> - -<p><i>From out of the darkness, thirteen pairs of silvery eyes stared at the -Sphere Of All Time. The air was cold and sang with a thin thrumming. -The Sphere shone with a pale cold light—the scene was the pit of -Ophid....</i></p> - -<p><i>From a crevice in a massive stalagmite, a giant Dragon Man was -emerging warily. He wore a spiked collar studded with flashing jewels. -Slipping away through the haze, he tugged the first door bracing loose -and his fellows poured forth in an angry stream....</i></p> - -<p><i>In the court of the Sphere Of All Time, one pair of silvery eyes -departed.</i></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Toka sauntered back to the lounge room of the bridal suite.</p> - -<p>Another door on the right swung softly in and Kolano stepped from a dim -passage. "Great Prince Toka finds these rooms satisfactory?"</p> - -<p>"So far."</p> - -<p>"After we dine, Toka shall be more satisfied."</p> - -<p>The scent of her touched into his nostrils.</p> - -<p>The main portals were swinging in for a cortege bearing trays of food -and drink. The table serviced, Toka and Kolano were left alone. Slender -green tapers gave off a delicate odor and the menu was exotic. But -there was a platter of leaf-wrapped packs of Sandcliff's water berries, -no doubt part of the stores from the raft. Toka felt little appetite -but he tore open a pack's corner and spilled his hand full of the -black fruit. There was a magic in these berries, a magic to heal all -wounds—and to give renewed strength....</p> - -<p>He met Kolano's silvery gaze. "You and the Old Ones—unlike the common -Kosannans—know I am not of divine origin."</p> - -<p>Kolano shrugged. "For ages untold, your coming has been foreseen in the -Sphere Of All Time."</p> - -<p>"And you and the Old Ones?"</p> - -<p>"The Old Ones were born of palace princesses and selected to study -for the Council by the Old Ones of their time. I, too, am of a palace -princess—and was selected by the present Old Ones to be the mother of -your son."</p> - -<p>Toka eyed her sardonically. "I don't know if the Sphere Of All Time -reported this, but in my part of the Outer World we believe people -should love each other first."</p> - -<p>"I have loved you since first I saw you in the Sphere." Kolano's -silvery eyes were alight for him.</p> - -<p>Toka shifted his gaze away. "Perhaps it might be best to wait a while."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps Toka needs only to know me better."</p> - -<p>Toka stood up and sauntered away. At that moment the main portals swung -in for the cortege to clear away the dining service.</p> - -<p>As the portals swung shut again, Toka glanced cynically at Kolano. -"Everybody knows just when to come and go."</p> - -<p>"The Sphere has long told the times of all your needs and -actions—past, present and future."</p> - -<p>"All right," Toka challenged sardonically, "what am I going to do next?"</p> - -<p>"You are going to bed. And I am returning to my private rooms." -Touching open the passage door, Kolano departed with a soft smile for -him.</p> - -<p>He was alone and free—but for a vow. He opened the great portals. The -Hall Of Life stretched away vast and deserted. To the continuity had -been added the scene of his recent dinner with Kolano.</p> - -<p><i>If he could find where they had those scenes stored</i>.... But another -thought held him. <i>If the future did show Kolano and him as she had -intimated</i>....</p> - -<p>Toka turned back into the bridal suite. If he was going to get free he -would, and if he wasn't....</p> - -<p>It was a line of reasoning typically Kosannan!</p> - -<p>The ceiling's glowing had dimmed. Toka turned down the silky covers of -the great bed.</p> - -<p>... <i>the smooth whiteness of Kolano's skin ... the Titian sheen of her -hair ... the deep smouldering in those silvery eyes ... the curve of -those carmine lips ... the curvedness of</i>—</p> - -<p>This was the way he used to think of Roya! <i>Used</i> to think of Roya—</p> - -<p>Toka tensed abruptly. Through the dimness he saw the boudoir door -slowly move. Who could have gotten into this suite without toppling the -chairs he had balanced against the doors? Hand on Battle-ax, Toka lay -motionless—ready to leap. The door moved slowly in.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><i>In the black court, the Sphere Of All Time shone on with a pale cold -light....</i></p> - -<p><i>Ophid's men, boys and dragons were massed around him as he stood atop -a huge stalagmite stump. His features were contorted with insane rage, -his snaky body quivering with it. His fanged mouth began to froth. His -wild-eyed subjects snapped their heads up and down in approval. Ophid -made a sweeping gesture and the fanatical Dragon Men began a frantic -search for handy lengths of limestone shards—broken from the mighty -columns....</i></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The Big Brown came into view. The flowery jungle spread away, blending -into silent shadows as twilight neared.</p> - -<p>Rok let his paddle trail. "Well, we're out—thanks to Toka."</p> - -<p>The implication pricked Roya. "He didn't have to stay!"</p> - -<p>"No," Rok considered sardonically, "Toka didn't have to marry -Kolano—so we could get you and Elees out of that pit."</p> - -<p>Roya was silent a long moment. "Rok," she commanded, "whistle for that -big slick-skin we saw around here the other day!"</p> - -<p>Rok's shrill blast cut away. A distant roar drifted back over the -jungle. Rok whistled again. The distant roar answered—closer.</p> - -<p>"Head for the opposite shore!" Roya commanded.</p> - -<p>In moments the canoe was beached on the firm mud. Above the throbbing -of the Big Brown came the distant crashing of trees and brush. -Rok's whistle split again through the shadowy jungle. Roaring -acknowledgement, The Big Snake was now so near the ground quaked with -the rhythm of its coming.</p> - -<p>Old Ledo was peering into the canoe. "Hey—how did all these packs of -berries get under the thwarts?"</p> - -<p>"Divide the packs among us," Roya commanded.</p> - -<p>The Big Snake burst from a stand of fern trees and tore straight for -Roya. With a happy roar it slewed to a ground-gouging stop. Then, -missing Toka, it whined plaintively.</p> - -<p>Roya held up her clenched left hand, raised its little finger and -pointed to Elees. The Big Snake grunted. Roya raised the next finger -and pointed to Old Ledo. The next finger was Rok, the next Roya -herself. Each time the intently watching Big Snake understood. Roya -raised her thumb. The Big Snake whined plaintively. Roya pointed in -the direction of the underground river and sang a snatch of the choral -that had enticed them in there. The Big Snake frowned.</p> - -<p>Roya held up her right hand and raised and lowered those fingers again -and again and gestured that hand toward the underground area. Then she -gripped her right hand, representing Kosanna, around her left thumb, -representing Toka. She made Toka struggle against Kosanna. The big -slick-skin began rumbling deep in its great belly. Its bulging red eyes -began burning with rising anger. Its tail and colossal body rippled as -it poised to race to Toka's help. Roya shook her head emphatically. The -big slick-skin rumbled questioningly.</p> - -<p>In the deepening twilight, Roya swiftly fingered a design in the smooth -mud of the shore. The drawing crudely portrayed the big slick-skin and -Roya and friends. It was also a map of the valley and the Big Brown on -down to distant Sandcliff and the great dinosaur herd in that area. -Roya pointed a finger to the character representing the big slick-skin, -then pointed to the monster itself and raised her head and pretended -to roar toward Sandcliff. She pointed to the herd around Sandcliff and -wriggled her fingers to portray them running up valley to this spot.</p> - -<p>The Big Snake instantly whipped its head aloft and faced down valley. -It yawned its cavernous mouth and blasted the darkening twilight with -a roaring that slammed away and back and away again in echo. Quickly -there was an answering roar from far down valley. The big slick-skin -instantly blasted away another series of mighty roars. At once the Big -Snake far down valley acknowledged and relayed the imperative message -on. And even farther down valley a third Big Snake began blasting the -purple night with that peculiar series of mighty roars. And the call to -the Big Snakes was flashing down the valley and summoning the colossal -monsters to the rescue!</p> - -<p>"Why not pile aboard old slicky here," Rok urged, "and start the fun -now!"</p> - -<p>"Those flesh-eating fish in that river would cut him down in moments," -Roya explained.</p> - -<p>"But the other Big Snakes can't get here till dawn!" Rok protested.</p> - -<p>"We'll camp on that butte." Roya gestured the big slick-skin to kneel.</p> - -<p>From atop that butte, the whole valley radiated away in starlit beauty. -Sitting on the dewy grass, Roya ripped open a leaf-wrapped pack. The -others joined in. The big slick-skin stood guard.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><i>In the black court, the twelve pairs of silvery eyes stared on into -the coldly shining Sphere Of All Time....</i></p> - -<p><i>Armed with great clubs of broken limestone, the hordes of Ophid were -straddling aboard the multitude of dragons that had stretched out full -length. Ophid leaped astride the neck of the largest. Flapping its many -sets of great wings, the dragon rose its sinuous lengths up through the -haze and shot for the tunnel. The other dragons and their wildly eager -riders swarmed after. Into the gloom of the tunnel tore Ophid's lead -dragon and burst into the weird outer area. Without pause Ophid swung -his swarm over the river and tore up-stream. Into the gloom of that -vast cavern the wild Dragon Men and their mad monsters poured....</i></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>In the dimness Toka watched the boudoir door ease slowly open. Framed -by soft and loose titian hair, a white oval of features peered slowly -around the door.</p> - -<p>The low insinuation was Kolano's. "Toka is not sleeping, either?"</p> - -<p>He was on his feet. "No."</p> - -<p>Kolano's only jewelry was that wedding ring, her only attire a sheer -silver gown that swirled provocatively about her sleek legginess as -she idled toward Toka. She was smiling up at him, her silvery eyes -smouldering with desire. The enticing scent of her stole into his -nostrils.</p> - -<p>He stood indecisively. "How did you get in?"</p> - -<p>Her smooth white arms slipped around his neck. Her delicately scented -breath was warm on his face. "Not all doors look like doors, Toka."</p> - -<p>Her voluptuous softness and firmnesses were thrilling his own naked -torso. His fingers spread onto the smooth nudity of her back.</p> - -<p>Her deep contralto was intimately low. "Toka does not mind?"</p> - -<p>"Not too much—yet." Her arms were tightening about his neck. Her sleek -fullness was resting so closely to him he could feel her throbbing -with expectancy. Her legginess pressed through her gossamer gowning to -thrill his thighs. His own heart raced with the desire forming in him.</p> - -<p>With a woman's want, Kolano's silvery eyes held his. "Toka is happy."</p> - -<p>"Do you think so?"</p> - -<p>Her lips brushed along his cheek to his ear. "I can feel it so."</p> - -<p>Her warm lips found his mouth and the thrill raced through Toka. Kolano -possessed him until his senses reeled as in a wild dream. Kolano's lips -moved thrillingly on his and wanted more of him—insatiably more! He -felt his last resistance going down—until his deepest emotions were -bursting free and beginning to clamor for more of Kolano—more!</p> - -<p>A frantic gonging split through Toka's passioned senses. He broke free -of Kolano and read the answer in her suddenly haggard features—the -Dragon Men were winging for Kosanna! The vision of Roya flooded back -into Toka's mind. But Roya was gone forever—was disgusted with him! -And without Roya what was life! Toka whirled for his battle-ax.</p> - -<p>Kolano's contralto rang low. "O Great Prince Toka! This is the -hour—use it well!"</p> - -<p>Great battle-ax swinging, Toka was into the lounge room. The ceilings -were coming aglow. The new day of Kosanna was dawning—and the last day -of Toka was setting. Racing up the deserted Hall Of Life, he spared a -swift glance for the portrayal of that recent episode in the boudoir. -They'd have another scene soon! Toka was slamming open the huge entry -portals.</p> - -<p>The gonging silenced. Kosanna spread away below—deserted. Toka was -alone atop the sacred stairway. Fighting being surging with terrible -power, he poised with his battle-ax a whistling blur around his head. -And from that down-river cavern shot Ophid—astride the neck of a -monstrous dragon. Out streaked more, at least half a hundred—lines of -wild Dragon Men riding each one.</p> - -<p>Ophid's lead dragon streaked in low over the city. The swarm behind -spread out and the dragons landed in the avenues. Their riders -leaped off and began flailing their wicked clubs to Kosanna's -buildings—cracking the spheroid structures and smashing in the doors. -Hissing and rattling angrily, the dragons were taking to the air again -to whip their tails around other buildings and tumble them down with -terrible crashings to destroy their occupants.</p> - -<p>But here and there the hitherto docile Kosannans were snatching up -knives, sharp tools—anything to try to fight with! The rattlings and -flappings, the hissings and shoutings, the yelling and screaming, -the explosive crashing of stone on stone and the grinding agony of -collapsing structures filled Kosanna and slammed into the ears.</p> - -<p>But Ophid and a flight of ten dragons and their riders converged on -Toka. The dragons raced to landings on the great stairway. Their insane -riders leaped clear. The eleven dragons surged again to the air to come -hurtling in for Toka as the horde of Dragon Men came flooding up the -great stairway. Toka backed into the concavity of the palace entrance.</p> - -<p>The first dragon shot in with great yellow fangs dripping with -glistening venom. Toka's ax leaped and bit true to split that flat -skull and send the horror crashing in wild convulsions onto the Dragon -Men. It was no deterrent. More flying monsters were hurtling in with -red tongues flicking and huge fangs dripping.</p> - -<p>The Dragon Men had gained the stair top now and were rushing for Toka. -With terrible strength and blinding speed Toka powered his mighty -battle-ax in screaming drives. Again and again fangs cracked away and -venom sprayed. Over and over skulls were split and brains showered -wide. Reptilian bodies were cut twain and blood flew as in a rain. The -terrace ran red and was slippery with warm gore.</p> - -<p>Toka fought on with the increasing recklessness of a warrior who -only wants to sell his life for the highest price! And Ophid was a -crazed demon standing atop the massive balustrade and ranting for the -destruction of Kosanna!</p> - -<p>They came swarming up the gore-drenched stairway, came streaking -through the sound-torn air and were an insane flood raging to inundate -this lone warrior of the Outer World. In but gory split moments the -price of Toka would soon be paid!</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">VI</p> - -<p>Dawn broke gray and red in the east and grew to gold as the new sun -soared free. But Roya's anxious eyes only stared away into the west.</p> - -<p>"Hear it!" Rok cried suddenly.</p> - -<p>It was like the rolling, rolling, rolling of distant thunder coming, -steadily out of the west. The big slick-skin whipped its huge head -aloft to blast a mighty roar down the valley. Faint and clear the -answer came—a chorus of roaring.</p> - -<p>Standing on tiptoe and straining to see, Roya felt the tingles racing -through her. "See them coming!"</p> - -<p>Far down valley, the monsters were a river of colossal power. They were -in many colorings and mottlings, in many forms and sizes—all tearing -for this butte. Great trees were mown down like blades of grass before -the powerfully racing leaders. Swamps and rivers were as nothing. There -was no stopping them—no slowing them. They had heard their human -master needed them! They were coming—to the last one!</p> - -<p>And now the thundering of their swift coming filled the air and shook -the very earth till a person could scarcely stand erect. It swayed the -mightiest trees as in a gale. The roaring for battle slammed into the -sense, took the breath and beat upon the body. And the grassy butte -was swarming with the terrible colossi. Towering above Roya, a mighty -armor-plated spike-back rumbled for directions.</p> - -<p>Gesturing to the big slick-skin she had been carefully educating during -the night, Roya pointed to the black-back and worked her mouth as if -talking. The slick-skin began rumbling to the black leader. Instantly -facing his impatient fellows massed on the slopes, the black spike-back -reared up and began gesturing his huge forelimbs as he roared at them. -Anger mounting even higher, the Big Snakes roared to be off for Toka.</p> - -<p>At that moment a frantic gonging came faint but clear from the -direction of the entrance to Kosanna. Rok instantly deduced the cause. -"The Dragon Men must be attacking Kosanna!"</p> - -<p>Gesturing the black leader to kneel, Roya was aboard the massive back, -one hand clutching to a spike for support. Elees and the men were with -her and Roya's voice rang on the jungle air. "Go for Toka!"</p> - -<p>The colossus heaved up running. Down the slope it tore with a battle -roar. With a combined roaring that filled the air with deafening -thunder the mass of Big Snakes swarmed in behind—all the armor-plated -ones first. Through the dense jungle as though it were grass the -colossal black leader tore the way. He burst clear and shot across the -Big Brown in a geysering spray to plunge into the luminous cavern.</p> - -<p>The angrily roaring monster's huge head was stretched out low over the -deep water—and Roya saw the vicious fish were not present! But the -armored monster, as did the others close behind, beat the water to -colored foam.</p> - -<p>The monstrous spike-back raced around another bend and tore for that -grill of green columns—but that massive structure was drawn into the -vaulted roof! There was nothing to impede the way!</p> - -<p>"Listen to the sounds from Kosanna!" Elees cried.</p> - -<p>"The fight's on!" Rok yelled in helpless anxiety.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Toka!" Roya prayed.</p> - -<p>"Here we come!" Old Ledo chanted.</p> - -<p>The cavern opened into Kosanna. The angrily roaring spike-back burst -clear and the wild battling spread away in all its detail.</p> - -<p>Roya's heart was in her cry. "There's Toka—fighting in the palace -entry!"</p> - -<p>With a roaring that blasted through the wild din of battle the black -colossus was already tearing for Toka. The mass of following Big Snakes -swept into the city with a vengeance.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Screaming Dragon Men and their hissing and rattling monsters were a -flood trying to down Toka by sheer weight of numbers. The insane Ophid -stood on the massive balustrade and urged his crazed subjects on. Toka -stood in the concavity of the palace entry and drove his battle-ax -with blinding speed. Jagged clubs were as little deterrent to his -mighty weapon as were the slimy bodies of the frothing monstrosities -that wielded them. But on they and their huge dragons came. And in but -another moment....</p> - -<p>A mighty roaring suddenly cut through the battle din. Toka spared an -instant's glance. The familiar black bulk of an armor-plated Big Snake -burst from the up-river cavern and tore into Kosanna!</p> - -<p>Perched gracefully atop that spiked back was Roya!</p> - -<p>Rok and the others were with her—battle-axes swinging. More Big Snakes -thundered into Kosanna—more—roaring viciously and already battling -the hordes of Ophid.</p> - -<p>But Roya was coming—leading the attack! She still loved him! The -exultation surged through Toka. And to his superb strength and speed -was added this toxin to drive him to greater fury of a different nature.</p> - -<p>Down in Kosanna, Ophid's men and dragons were locked in raging battle -with the colossal Big Snakes. Those jagged clubs were as nothing. But -those long yellow fangs of Ophid's men and their dragons—the venom -they injected as they bit home on unarmored Big Snake anatomy! The -ferociously fighting slick-skins dropped in their tracks and sprawled -in utter limpness—then immediately began bloating till their colossal -bodies burst in a gory explosion!</p> - -<p>But the viciously battling armor-plates were impervious to those -striking fangs. They trampled Ophid's men and slammed them to lifeless -smears. They caught the flying dragons and ripped the writhing, hissing -and striking things to shreds.</p> - -<p>The terrace began heaving violently beneath Toka's feet and the -colossal black leader with Roya aboard loomed up and exploded into this -insane melee. Dragon Men and flying monsters and colossal armor-plated -heads and tails whirled in wild battle. The ravenously screaming -battle-axes of Rok and Old Ledo—of Roya and Elees—joined Toka's in -this desperate finale.</p> - -<p>But Toka's fighting heart was abruptly clutched in an icy grip as -a club cracked to Roya's ax arm! She dropped her weapon. Red eyes -blazing, Ophid leaped atop the black spike-back's neck and was -scrambling recklessly up the viciously lashing length. Rok and Old Ledo -were desperately occupied with flying monsters. Elees did not see. -Yellow fangs dripping venom, Ophid was nearly to Roya now. And she dare -not jump—a sea of wildly fighting Dragon Men awaited.</p> - -<p>With a fervent prayer Toka snatched at his waist. His arm whipped and -his great battle knife streaked away.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p><i>With a fervent prayer Toka snatched at his great battle knife.</i></p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>But that moment had its price—a pair of fangs sank into Toka's leg. -Even as his ravenous knife blade sang through the Dragon Man's neck -Toka's senses reeled. His last memory was of Roya screaming, "Toka!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Toka's mind fought harder and slowly made his weary body come alive, -made it want to struggle back there—to Roya. The blackness slowly fell -away and Toka looked up into Roya's deep blue eyes. Her lips were warm -and sweet.</p> - -<p>"Brother!" Rok was observing fervently. "Was that close!"</p> - -<p>"One less berry," Old Ledo reflected sagely, "and that venom would have -been too much." Indeed, the black fruit had once again demonstrated its -healing power.</p> - -<p>"No Roya and there would be no anything now," Elees was pointing evenly.</p> - -<p>"The Sphere Of All Time," Kolano was assuring easily, "is never wrong."</p> - -<p>As Roya drew up from him, Toka sat up. He was on the bed in the bridal -suite. The gore-spattered Roya and Elees, Rok and Old Ledo, the sheerly -clad Kolano and the black-robed Old Ones, were all circled about him.</p> - -<p>Roya faced Kolano. "I don't know whether your Sphere Of All Time is -ever wrong or not, but I know your marriage to Toka is not honest." She -held her battle-ax ready.</p> - -<p>Kolano smiled softly. "And so, Roya, you will kill me if you can—to -free your Toka."</p> - -<p>Kolano's knowledge momentarily disconcerted Roya—and Toka.</p> - -<p>"But I am freeing Toka." Kolano mused in intimate memory. "Now that the -element of Toka is in me."</p> - -<p>Touching a chair for support, Roya stared starkly at Toka.</p> - -<p>Toka leaped from the bed and drilled his angry gaze at Kolano. "That -isn't true and you know it!"</p> - -<p>"Toka, Roya—please," Kolano smiled. "It is true—but not the way you -think."</p> - -<p>"I think," Toka warned levelly, "we'd better have a few explanations."</p> - -<p>"When Toka and I kissed last night," Kolano explained sincerely, "his -spirit—the spirit of a mighty warrior of the Outer World—mingled with -my spirit and left something of that warrior spirit in me." She gazed -frankly at Roya. "And that is all it was—purely spiritual."</p> - -<p>Toka met Roya's relieved gaze.</p> - -<p>"So," Kolano continued quietly, "when I next wed one of the men of -Kosanna—one who found the spirit to do battle against the hordes of -Ophid—our sons shall be worthy of becoming Kosanna's new leaders."</p> - -<p>Toka held Kolano's eyes. "What about this marriage of ours?"</p> - -<p>Kolano quietly held his gaze. "It is time to proceed to the altar—that -our marriage may be dissolved."</p> - -<p>The cortege forming the entire party marched for the Hall Of -Life—where the final victory over the hordes of Ophid was portrayed in -huge scenes. But there remained space there still for many more scenes.</p> - -<p>Going down the sacred stairway, Toka glanced to Kolano. "How about the -hordes of Ophid?"</p> - -<p>"There are no men of Ophid or dragons left alive," Kolano assured.</p> - -<p>All Kosanna looking on silently, Toka and Kolano stood on the fore edge -of the altar below the gigantic statue of him and, to the anciently -quavering chant of the Old Ones, removed each other's ring and placed -the brilliant bands on the pillows.</p> - -<p>Kolano's smile was unsteady, her silvery eyes misty. "Great Prince Toka -and his friends shall be forever revered by Kosanna."</p> - -<p>Toka quietly voiced his sincere wish. "May peace dwell forevermore in -Kosanna."</p> - -<p>As Kosanna broke into beautiful choraling, Toka beckoned to his black -spike-back. Mounting the great creature with Roya and the others of his -party, Toka headed down the main avenue. The surviving Big Snakes fell -in behind with happy eyes and peaceful features. Meeting Roya's eyes, -Toka pressed her hand in gentle expression of his feeling. He thrilled -as Roya returned the pressure.</p> - -<p>The up-river cavern yawned to receive them and the Outer World waited.</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN THE SPHERE OF TIME ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -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. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. -</div> - -<div style='margin:0.83em 0; font-size:1.1em; text-align:center'>START: FULL LICENSE<br /> -<span style='font-size:smaller'>THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE<br /> -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK</span> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person -or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the -Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when -you share it without charge with others. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work -on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the -phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: -</div> - -<blockquote> - <div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> - 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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you - are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws - of the country where you are located before using this eBook. - </div> -</blockquote> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg™ License. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format -other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain -Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -provided that: -</div> - -<div style='margin-left:0.7em;'> - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation.” - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ - works. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works. - </div> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right -of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™ -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread -public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state -visit <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/donate/">www.gutenberg.org/donate</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. -</div> - -</div> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/64723-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/64723-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 9189a11..0000000 --- a/old/64723-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/64723-h/images/illus.jpg b/old/64723-h/images/illus.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 8e32d67..0000000 --- a/old/64723-h/images/illus.jpg +++ /dev/null |
