Part 9 (1/2)

”Uh?” carunt

”Are you awake?”

”I wasn't--until you woke me,” said Jotan testily

”I think soers,” the first voice said ”They feel like it, anyway”

”You must have rolled over on them, Javan Go back to sleep”

Tharn followed the conversation with interest, surprised that he could understand the words He waited patiently and without panic for the speakers to act or to return to sleep

”I tell you, my hand was stepped on,” Javan insisted

”What are you two talking about?” broke in a third voice

”Javan clai on hiht; he'll not sleep until we search the place”

Tharn heard one of the men rise and fumble about in a corner of the roo the rooer, Tharn twisted the latch and tried to draw open the door But so; he could not stir the heavy planks

”There!” Javan shouted ”At the door! Didn't I tell--”

With a bound Jotan leaped fro Tharn at the knees The cave-rasped his attacker about the waist

Jotan was a strong, agile hter he had few equals But when the arms of the intruder encircled his body and tore away his hold as though he were a child, he knew he stood no chance

The Sepharian gasped aloud as he felt hili body hurtled across the roo all three to the floor, half-stunned

Tharn seized the door-latch once th There followed the sound of splintering wood as latch, bolt and strike were torn away A second later he had gained the street

By the time those within were ready to atte with the long easy strides of a trained athlete

As he ran, Tharn drew his knife for any ht wish to bar his path He was slowly drawing away froroup of warriors not far ahead and co sharply into a side street, Tharn dashed on for a short distance, only to pull up short The roadway ended here, nor were there streets on either side Behind hi down upon hier or sudden death Life in the jungles and on the vast plains had little else to offer Fear and panic were not likely to prolong life; Tharn knew not the hting-men rushed toward him, they were to find no terror-stricken creature at bay Indeed, so savage was the bearing of their quarry that the Sepharians hesitated, then came to a full stop a few paces away

They were non's brawny fraave a dubious aspect to the whole affair; nor was the stone knife in one powerful hand athis brief armistice that one Lukor, awakened by the tumult outside his s opened the door of his hoation