Part 22 (1/2)

And she had been so close to freedoh in the tree she could see the stone walls of Rydob's dwelling, evil and grim in the sun Behind those walls lay the dead body of Meltor, slain by his own knife

She felt no regret for having killed hied across the table in an atteht, had thrust her weight against the table Meltor, off balance, went over backwards, his head striking hard against the floor Before he could regain his wits Dylara had torn the knife from his hand He cried out once inup a futile hand to ward off the blow, and died as polished flint pierced his heart

No--she felt no regret for having killed hiret was theblindly into the open air So anxious had she been to flee that horrible place that she had no eyes for what lay in her path As a result, one heel had trod full on the whitened skull of Rydob the her her headlong into a tangle of vines at the base of the steps

She was up at once; but the injured ankle buckled under her weight and she had fallen again, crying out in agony

For a little while she had re the injured ot to her hands and knees and, with

How she iant tree and work her way a full fifty feet above the ground, Dylara was never to know So aas the pain that herdeterh and lay there, completely exhausted

It was coe Soft jungle breezes stirred the branch gently and she was soon asleep A bird twittered and cooed close by, and the wind blew lightly across the troubled face, s its tired lines

And as the weary, pain-wracked girl lay sleeping, four heavily ar and moved stealthily toward the house of Rydob They entered; and after a few minutes, reappeared at the doorway, to be joined by three other warriors who had co fro, ”for a roarrior For all we know, another man may have slain Meltor and uess,” said Tauard and stuck a knife in him She's not like the women we know, Jotan Hers has been a wild, prier Because of it, she would be far

Taking a life probablyto her

”No,” he concluded, ”I've an idea she's well on her way back to her caves by now”

Javan, i to the conversation, touched Jotan's ar here,” he cole is no place to be after sundown”

Jotan smiled wanly and clapped hiht to expose you and Taer on my account

”We will return to Sephar now But tomorrow I shall return here with a warrior who is versed in tracking With his help I should be able to learn what has happened to Dylara”

”We will go with you,” Tareeame trail and started back toward distant Sephar

Jotan led the way, his wide shoulders drooping disconsolately It was clear the loss of the lovely cave-girl had hurt him deeply

The return journey was about half co hand

”Listen!” he exclaimed softly

The seven cocked their ears alertly