h his back against it, arms folded and his rugged
features empty of all expression.

It was Jotan, son of Garlud, who was the first to speak. The anger that
showed in his burning eyes and the thrust of his chin thickened his
words until they were more nearly a growl.

"What means this, Jaltor? Why was my party intercepted outside Ammad's
walls and dragged here in secrecy? Why are we thus treated like common
criminals? I demand an explanation!"

"You may request an explanation, Jotan," Jaltor said calmly. "As Ammad's
king I answer no man's demands."

In the strained silence following his words, Jaltor's gaze moved on to
where Alurna, daughter of Urim and princess of Sephar, stood staring at
him in wonder and uncertainty. His expression softened and when he spoke
his voice had lost completely its former edge.

"Curzad has told me of your father's death. We have both suffered a
great loss, for Urim was my brother--my only brother. Later I should
like to know the details of his passing; but first I wish to explain my
reasons for what has happened tonight."

There were mixed emotions evident in the expressions of his listeners.
Tamar was clearly worried and puzzled, Javan appeared even more dazed
and uncomprehending than usual, while Jotan was close to bursting with
outright anger and injured pride.

Jaltor indicated chairs with a wave of his hand. "Be seated, please.
This may take some time."

They obeyed in silence, and even though sitting none of them was
relaxed. Jaltor remained on his feet, legs spread, his keen eyes somber.

"A little less than half a moon ago," Jaltor began, "an attempt was made
to assassinate me. The reason it was not successful lay in the peculiar
clumsiness of the assassin. He was captured immediately and put to
torture in an effort to learn the names of others, if any, involved in
the plot. He was an old man, strangely enough, and before he died he
told me who had hired him."

"I don't see," Jotan burst out, "what this has to do with any of us.
Certainly we are not involved."

"The name he gave," Jaltor went on, as though there had been no
interruption, "was Garlud!"

In the sudden, shocked silence that followed the measured tread of a
guard in the corridor outside came clearly through the closed door.

"I don't believe it!" Jotan shouted. He leaped from his chair to face
the monarch. "Ever since I can remember you and my father were the
closest of friends!"

"And long before tha