Part 8 (2/2)
For half a mile he made his way underground until a huge stone door barred his way. He felt for the hidden catches and the slab of rock rose before him. As he turned toward the doorway he found himself looking into the muzzle of a black ray tube in the hands of a gigantic Jovian in the uniform of the Viceroy's guards.
”Whence came you, Nepthalim?” demanded the guard, a cold note of suspicion in his voice.
”From far Torna,” replied Damis readily. ”I am Durmino, Komar of the province of Capries. The slaves rose on us and all were slain except me.
I have had to travel by night and hide by day to reach here. I knew not whether the slaves had conquered or not, but when I found them lying by thousands about Glavour's palace, I knew that the reign of the Sons of G.o.d was safe. What news from Tubain?”
The face of the Jovian guard cleared as Damis spoke. Durmino, a son of Glavour by one of his Terrestrial concubines, was Komar of Capries, a fact well known to Damis. There was nothing in the newcomer's story to excite suspicion.
”The fleet of the Ruler of the Universe is approaching,” the guard replied. ”In two hours it will be hovering above us. We would have needed no aid had not the dogs of Earthmen found our source of power and managed to destroy it with stolen ray tubes. We have been cooped up here like rats waiting for Tubain to arrive. When he comes our vengeance will be heavy.”
”The heavier the better,” growled Damis with an oath. ”The dogs have been getting surly for a generation. I hope that Tubain will teach them a lesson that will not be forgotten for ages to come.”
”He will, never fear,” laughed the guard. ”Already Glavour has made his plans. I am not a member of the council, yet I have heard enough to realize why Glavour is our ruler. My brain could not conceive of such a stupendous plan.”
”I will go to my father now,” said Damis. ”What is the word for pa.s.sing the inner gate? I wish to surprise my sire for he doubtless mourns me as dead.”
”He thinks you are dead,” replied the guard, ”yet I never heard of Glavour mourning for any loss which did not affect his pleasures. He has plenty of b.a.s.t.a.r.ds to take your place. The word is 'Tubain.'”
”I thank you, Son of G.o.d,” said Damis, ”and I will inform my sire of the great respect and high regard which you have for him. Fear not, your words shall be truthfully reported to him.”
Leaving the Jovian guard hastily reviewing the conversation with the supposed Durmino, Damis made his way toward the palace. Since he knew that he would not reach another door until after several of the underground pa.s.sages with which the foundations of the palace were honeycombed had joined, he had little doubt of his ability to make his way unsuspected into the citadel. He debated for a moment on the advisability of killing the Jovian guard and taking his weapons, but caution prevailed, and empty-handed, save for a dagger concealed under his robes, he strode forward.
His knowledge of the pa.s.sword enabled him to pa.s.s the various guards he met without difficulty. There were many of the Nepthalim who held subordinate positions in the outlying provinces and who were seldom at court, and the Jovian guards, who in their hearts regarded the Nepthalim as little better than the Terrestrials, paid small attention to him. He pa.s.sed several guarded points before the path rose steeply and he pa.s.sed through the final gate into the palace itself. A Nepthalim pa.s.sed him hurriedly and Damis plucked at his robe.
”I am just from outpost,” he said. ”What news of Tubain?”
”The fleet has entered the atmosphere belt a thousand miles east of here,” replied the Nepthalim. ”They are dropping to an alt.i.tude of five miles and will then approach. They should arrive in an hour. It is well that they hurry.”
”What rush is there?” asked Damis in surprise. ”We may not be able to leave here, but, at the same time, all the forces the slaves can muster would never force an entrance.”
”You have not heard then?” exclaimed the other in surprise.
”No--certainly not, if you have been on outpost--for I just learned it myself. There is a rumor that Havenner lied when he said that he killed Turgan, the Kildare and Damis, the renegade--the curse of Tubain rest on him--on Mars. It is said that they not only escaped death but have returned to Earth armed with the weapons of the red planet. Havenner is with Glavour now and no one knows what the outcome will be. Since Tubain is at hand, doubtless nothing will be done until he arrives. That is the reason why Tubain altered his course and came down so far away instead of directly overhead. He hopes thus to elude the Martian weapons if the Earthmen really have them.”
”Surely that is a lie!” cried Damis.
”We hope that it is, yet Havenner would have been slain without mercy had he admitted that he left Mars without slaying or capturing Turgan and Damis. Many believe that it is true.”
”Is Glavour in the council room?” asked Damis. ”I have a message.”
”It would be better for you to defer the message if it be ill news until Tubain arrives, brother, for Glavour is enraged beyond measure at all of us. He threatens to sacrifice us at the next games and he may do so unless Tubain alters the decree. He has not loved us since Damis broke his arm a month ago.”
”Nevertheless, I will deliver my message,” replied Damis. ”While it may not please him, it is essential that he get it before Tubain arrives.”
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