Part 32 (1/2)
She looked up with a relieved s to think you had forgotten me,” she said warmly ”Whatever possessed you to run away like that?”
Tharn had never liked giving long explanations ”It was nothing,” he said lightly ”Let us go on”
They descended and walked slowly, side by side, along the trail Alurna wondered why the cave-er raced ahead as he had done before
But Tharn's purpose was clear in his mind: it would be best, he decided, to let Dylara and the Sepharians enter the city ahead of him
Nearly two hours later they rounded a bend of the trail and caave a little cry of happiness Directly ahead, beyond a brief expanse of open ground stood Sephar's walls Turning to the silent figure at her side, she caught his arht to hurry him on
Nor did Tharn need persuasion He had stopped only because his ever-present sense of caution bade hi hand at his ar trace of reluctance
They were half-way across the clearing before one of several warriors about a gateway spied theuards froht of the cave- toward the to the knife at his belt But the impatient voice of the princess beat down his suspicion
”No, Tharn, no! Those are ers relaxed their hold on the knife, but his hand remained close to its hilt And then they were surrounded by the e of Lodorth, a tall, rather fleshy warrior of iven to the blunt speech of a soldier Alurna re been stationed at the palace
”Ah, princess,” Lodorth said soberly ”We believed you to be dead or hopelessly lost I a you”
Alurna was all so to hiirl could not define passed across the officer's face but he made no reply Instead he turned to his men
”Disar a thu this, the cave-man reached quickly for his knife, but froze as he felt several cold flint spearheads against the skin of his back
”Disarm him!” barked the leader curtly
One of the men stepped forward, and with a wary eye cocked toward the ure, plucked the stone blade froue
”You are a fool, Lodorth!” she cried, turning on the captain ”This man saved my life Give him his knife and show him your respect, or you shall answer to Uri, now,” he said, his face an impassive mask ”Urim is dead!”
CHAPTER XVII
Reunion
Pryak, seated in one of the great rooms of the palace, was deep in conversation with Orbar, his lieutenant The roo hite-tunicked priests, their babbling voices adding to the atmosphere of confusion and disorder
A knock sounded at the door and it was opened to admit three people As they entered, a sudden hush fell over theof priests