m.

[Illustration: Under the threat of the guard's sword he knelt in a
humble way]

[Illustration]

* * * * *

Those who let emotion rule filled early graves, however. A dead Tharn
was useless to himself and useless to Dylara--and any such wild charge
would be completely suicidal. Dylara seemed in no immediate danger,
although it was clear from her actions, as well as the actions of those
about her, that she was not sharing that cooking fire as an honored
guest.

He fingered the string of his bow at its place about his shoulder. How
he would have liked to send her some message that help was near, that
soon she would be taken from these men and restored to the arms of one
of her own kind. An arrow from out of the darkness into the heart of one
of those men near her!

No. To do that would rouse the camp, keep them all awake for the rest of
the night. For Tharn's purpose those Ammadians must remain lulled by a
sense of security provided by their circle of fires. The quieter the
night, the smaller the number of sentries to be posted when the time
came for seeking sleeping furs for the night.

Trakor, too, was making good use of his eyes. This was the first party
of Ammadians he had ever seen and he was open-mouthed with interest. The
strange white skins they wore, the pieces of beautifully shaped leather
on their feet, fascinated him and he longed to own such wondrous things.
He stared for a long time at Dylara, marveling at her beauty. Even
Lanoa, whose beauty paled into nothingness that of every woman of
Gerdak's tribe was just another she when compared to this vision of
loveliness. The thought made him smile a little sadly. It was the first
time he had thought of Lanoa in nearly a moon.

Tharn said, "Remain here, Trakor, while I hunt for food."

The younger man nodded and Tharn slipped silently away. After he was
gone Trakor lay down on a branch so situated as to give him an unimpeded
view of the scene below and continued to watch....

A slight movement of his support aroused him. Tharn, laden with meat
from a fresh kill, came to squat beside him and they filled their
bellies with the hot, succulent raw flesh.

The young man wiped his hands and lips free of blood and turned
inquiring eyes on his companion. "Have you thought of a way to take her
from them, Tharn?"

The cave lord shook his head. "It will depend on where she sleeps and on
how many guards are posted. Nothing can