I can give you help; you shall have every ship of my greatfleet. Let us return to the flagship of the Warlord.
The cruiser that was to bear the flag of truce was now alongside.
Could Tavia be safe even for a brieftime in the power of Tul Axtar? Her eyes, filled with pleading, were upturned to mine. The Jhama may lie within a dozensofads of us and even so we could not see her.
May wewith safety approach and take the city?
As I drew the block outmy first plan faded in the light of what I saw in front of me.
I am glad that hehas found his freedom and the favor of the Warlord.
I shuddered and my nails sank into my palms at thethought. But in that brief instant I knew precisely what I had seen. If you will come aboardher as a prisoner of war, I will take you to the Warlord of Barsoom. After that it was not difficult to stretch a part of my harness aboutthe front of the turret. This time I was neithersilent nor gentle.
Nur An and I may haveto come away in a hurry and you must be ready.
This avenue of escape, then, was useless, but, alas, howtantalizing. Straining every thew I dragged myself further forward until I lay withmy chest upon the turret.
I waited, and thenglancing forward I saw that he was opening the ports.
Perhaps it is best, she said; her father is a noble andvery rich. I had seen Tul Axtarenter the interior of the craft and close the hatch above his head.
Hasten, Tul Axtar, I called, but there was no reply. Have pity on me, Hadron of Hastor, she cried.
She was trembling so that she could not reply. Before entering the Jhama I turned again to the old odwar.
He fled interror when the battle was still young. I had seen Tavia lying boundupon the floor of the ship beneath the hatch. Comeback to Helium and I will devote my life to your happiness.
She could not conceive that onemight choose a slave girl to the daughter of Tor Hatan.
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