It soon became evident that the stranger intended making a landing, for she was now spiraling slowly above them, dropping lower and lower in each graceful curve.
"It is the Thuria," whispered one of the Dusarian warriors.
"I would know her in the blackness of the pits among ten thousand other craft.""Right you are!" exclaimed Vas Kor, who had come on deck. And then he hailed:
"Kaor, Thuria!"
"Kaor!" came presently from above after a brief silence.
Then: "What ship?"
"Cruiser-transport Kalksus, Vas Kor of Dusar.""Good!" came from above. "Is there safe landing alongside?""Yes, close in to starboard. Wait, we will show our lights," and a moment later the smaller craft settled close beside the Kalksus, and the lights of the latter were immediately extinguished once more.
Several figures could be seen slipping over the side of the Thuria and advancing toward the Kalksus. Ever suspicious, the Dusarians stood ready to receive the visitors as friends or foes as closer inspection might prove them.
Carthoris stood quite near the rail, ready to take sides with the new-comers should chance have it that they were Heliumites playing a bold stroke of strategy upon this lone Dusarian ship. He had led like parties himself, and knew that such a contingency was quite possible.
But the face of the first man to cross the rail undeceived him with a shock that was not at all unpleasurable--it was the face of Astok, Prince of Dusar.
Scarce noticing the others upon the deck of the Kalksus, Astok strode forward to accept Vas Kor's greeting, then he summoned the noble below. The warriors and officers returned to their sleeping silks and furs, and once more the deck was deserted except for the Dusarian warrior and Turjun, the panthan, who stood guard.
The latter walked quietly to and fro. The former leaned across the rail, wishing for the hour that would bring him relief. He did not see his companion approach the lights of the cabin of Vas Kor. He did not see him stoop with ear close pressed to a tiny ventilator.
"May the white apes take us all," cried Astok ruefully, "if we are not in as ugly a snarl as you have ever seen!
Nutus thinks that we have her in hiding far away from Dusar.
He has bidden me bring her here."
He paused. No man should have heard from his lips the thing he was trying to tell. It should have been for ever the secret of Nutus and Astok, for upon it rested the safety of a throne. With that knowledge any man could wrest from the Jeddak of Dusar whatever he listed.
But Astok was afraid, and he wanted from this older man the suggestion of an alternative. He went on.
"I am to kill her," he whispered, looking fearfully around.
"Nutus merely wishes to see the body that he may know his commands have been executed. I am now supposed to be gone to the spot where we have her hidden that I may fetch her in secrecy to Dusar. None is to know that she has ever been in the keeping of a Dusarian.
I do not need to tell you what would befall Dusar should Ptarth and Helium and Kaol ever learn the truth."The jaws of the listener at the ventilator clicked together with a vicious snap. Before he had but guessed at the identity of the subject of this conversation. Now he knew. And they were to kill her! His muscular fingers clenched until the nails bit into the palms.
"And you wish me to go with you while you fetch her to Dusar," Vas Kor was saying. "Where is she?"Astok bent close and whispered into the other's ear.
The suggestion of a smile crossed the cruel features of Vas Kor. He realized the power that lay within his grasp.
He should be a jed at least.
"And how may I help you, my Prince?" asked the older man suavely.
"I cannot kill her," said Astok. "Issus! I cannot do it!
When she turns those eyes upon me my heart becomes water."Vas Kor's eyes narrowed.
"And you wish--" He paused, the interrogation unfinished, yet complete.
Astok nodded.
"YOU do not love her," he said.
"But I love my life--though I am only a lesser noble,"he concluded meaningly.
"You shall be a greater noble--a noble of the first rank!"exclaimed Astok.
"I would be a jed," said Vas Kor bluntly.
Astok hesitated.
"A jed must die before there can be another jed," he pleaded.
"Jeds have died before," snapped Vas Kor. "It would doubtless be not difficult for you to find a jed you do not love, Astok--there are many who do not love you."Already Vas Kor was commencing to presume upon his power over the young prince. Astok was quick to note and appreciate the subtle change in his lieutenant.
A cunning scheme entered his weak and wicked brain.
"As you say, Vas Kor!" he exclaimed. "You shall be a jed when the thing is done," and then, to himself: "Nor will it then be difficult for me to find a jed I do not love.""When shall we return to Dusar?" asked the noble.
"At once," replied Astok. "Let us get under way now--there is naught to keep you here?"
"I had intended sailing on the morrow, picking up such recruits as the various Dwars of the Roads might have collected for me, as we returned to Dusar.""Let the recruits wait," said Astok. "Or, better still, come you to Dusar upon the Thuria, leaving the Kalksus to follow and pick up the recruits.""Yes," acquiesced Vas Kor; "that is the better plan.
Come; I am ready," and he rose to accompany Astok to the latter's flier.
The listener at the ventilator came to his feet slowly, like an old man. His face was drawn and pinched and very white beneath the light copper of his skin.
She was to die! And he helpless to avert the tragedy.
He did not even know where she was imprisoned.
The two men were ascending from the cabin to the deck.
Turjun, the panthan, crept close to the companionway, his sinuous fingers closing tightly upon the hilt of his dagger. Could he despatch them both before he was overpowered? He smiled. He could slay an entire utan of her enemies in his present state of mind.
They were almost abreast of him now. Astok was speaking.
"Bring a couple of your men along, Vas Kor," he said.
"We are short-handed upon the Thuria, so quickly did we depart."The panthan's fingers dropped from the dagger's hilt.
