Part 15 (2/2)
Meltor said nothing
”It is not a secret to reet it And if you will help ain to remind you of it”
”What is it you want me to do?”
The princess bent forward ”Deep within the jungle beyond the Gate of the Setting Sun, is an old abandoned house of stone It was there Rydob, the hermit, lived for uncounted years Do you know the place?”
The young warrior nodded ”Yes, I knohere it is nobody goes there since Rydob's bones were found on his own door-step”
”Yes,” Alurna said contemptuously ”They fear Rydob more after his death than when he lived I hope you are different, Meltor”
The hter of Urim”
”Good! I knew I could count on you Now listen to me carefully; there must be no mistakes”
For half an hour the princess spoke steadily The guard listened attentively, interrupting now and then to ask questions; twice he offered suggestions
When Alurna had finished, Meltor re the plan's details The girl watched him with narrowed eyes
”I shall need help,” he said at last ”I have no right to enter the slave quarters”
Alurna nodded ”I shall leave that up to you You are known to the guards there; find one you can trust and enlist his aid Promise him ot to his feet His face had resumed its habitual lack of expression
”Your orders shall be carried out, daughter of Urim,” he said flatly ”I will report to you, here, when I have finished”
The door closed behind him
CHAPTER VIII
Abduction
The hu waves over Sephar's walls and buildings of stone Except for an occasional perspiring warrior or slave, hurrying on soent mission, the broad avenues were quite deserted
In a palace wing containing the fehter of Majok lay stretched at full length on her bed, hands locked beneath her head, drowsily watching a patch of sunlight near the ceiling Nada nodded sleepily on a low stool near the bed