by J. T. Edson
Hearing the drumming of hooves and feminine yells, Gromart’s relief at being saved was tempered by the knowledge that no Mun-Gatah ever used a bow. He could not imagine why a member of another race would come to his aid. Turning his head, he saw two Amazons charging at and scattering the scavengers. As neither was equipped for archery, he looked for his savior and found him to be of considerable interest.
The killer of the hyena was not, as Gromart would have expected, another female warrior. Nor, despite being mounted on a quagga was the white-haired young giant a Mun-Gatah. The strange-looking bow in his left hand offered a solution to his nationality. Attached to it was a quiver of arrows similar to one of the pair taken from Dawn of the Apes. As she and the captive Amazon had acted amicably, it was possible that their races had formed an alliance. In which case, the Administrator could guess why they had arrived at such a fortuitous moment and wondered what his fate would be at their hands.
Watching Princess Athena and Melissa, the Antelope Regiment ‘Nail’, Bunduki was deeply perturbed. They were going to examine the bodies and, despite the summation he had formed, he could not help feeling very anxious.
Following the line of action suggested by Beryl Snowhill, the Amazons and Bunduki had travelled until sundown the previous evening. To prevent himself from dwelling too much upon thoughts of what might be happening to Dawn, he had asked the blonde about the kind of life she was leading. One of the things he had learned was that it was possible for members of the warrior races to arrange a parlay with their enemies.
Admitting that she had never heard of anybody trying to do so where the Mun-Gatahs were concerned, she had taught him the conventional way in which the request must be made.
Camp had been made and, shortly after midnight, Melissa arrived with news of the attack on Gromart’s camp. Hanging her head in shame, she had apologized for being unable to furnish further details. Terrified by what she regarded as the Mun-Gatahs’ ability to call upon the thunder and lightning as a means of killing enemies, she had fled without learning the full results of the explosions. Beryl had assured her that such behavior was understandable and forgivable in the circumstances, which had calmed her enough for her to pass on the information she had gathered earlier.
Although Athena had wanted to make an immediate start from the scene of the massacre, Bunduki—concerned as he was over Dawn’s well being—had supported Beryl in her refusal. In the first place, Melissa was exhausted by her long ride and in no condition to guide them. Secondly, from her description of the Mun-Gatahs’ camp, he had believed that the prisoners had not been harmed in the attack. The cage-carts had been some distance from where the victims were gathered and his own experience had led him to believe that the effects of the missiles’ explosions were comparatively limited. So the little princess had, albeit reluctantly, agreed to wait until sunrise before setting off. She had also insisted upon accompanying Melissa and the blond giant. Pushing on ahead of the rest of the party, they had seen Gromart’s predicament while approaching the lake. Even so, without Bunduki’s skill as an archer, they would have been too late to save him.
Leaving the girls to their task, Bunduki turned his attention to the injured man. His attire was that of a high-ranking Mun-Gatah and, as such, he could probably supply useful information. However, the blond giant knew better than to take chances. Although the man’s face showed lines of suffering, there was no sign of a wound and, although he had made no attempt to protect himself from the hyena, he might still be dangerous. However, as Bunduki brought the quagga to a halt by the rock, the sword slipped from his fingers and he did not try to retrieve it.
‘Wa-Water!’ Gromart croaked, although he hated to ask favors of a foreigner, then he slumped in a faint.
‘Melissa!’ Bunduki yelled, dropping to the ground and allowing the quagga’s reins to fall from his hand. ‘You have medical skill. Can you help this man?’
‘Go ahead,’ Athena authorized when the ‘Nail’ looked at her for guidance. ‘We want to question him, so do what you can.’
Swinging astride her horse, having dismounted to help examine the bodies, Melissa rode to the dead embers of a fire. Scooping up a gourd in passing, she went to the lake and fetched water. Joining Bunduki, she slipped from the saddle and knelt by Gromart. Knowing he would have to wait until the man recovered before he could ask questions, the blond giant left her to her work and went to where the cage-carts had been standing. Studying the marks left by their wheels and other signs, he drew his conclusions.
‘Ariadne isn’t there and I haven’t seen anybody who looks like Dawn,’ Athena announced, sounding relieved as she came to Bunduki’s side. She jerked a thumb to where Melissa had removed Gromart’s breastplate and was supporting him in a sitting position while giving him a drink. ‘I wonder why they didn’t kill him? They speared, or used axes on some of the others.’
‘They must have thought that he was already dead,’ the blond giant replied. ‘From the way he was dressed, I’d say he was the party’s leader and they threw the ‘‘Thunder Powder” at him.’
Although the princess and Bunduki had not noticed, Gromart was listening to them. At the reference to the ‘Thunder Powder’, he stiffened and paid even greater attention. His theories regarding the ‘Apes’ were receiving further evidence to strengthen them.
‘Then why wasn’t he killed by it?’ Athena demanded. ‘From what I could see, quite a few of them were.’
‘The “Thunder Powder” plays strange tricks,’ Bunduki explained. ‘It will kill some, but may leave another who is much closer alive. The attackers didn’t know this and assumed that he must be dead. When he recovered, he crawled over to the rock for shelter and protection.’
‘It looks as if you’re right about them only wanting to take Ariadne, Dawn, and the ‘Hairy Man” from these people,’ the Princess stated, having been studying the ground. ‘At least, there’s no blood or any other signs to suggest they were injured.’
‘Your highness!’ Melissa called, suddenly becoming aware that her patient was taking considerable interest in what was being said. Easing his back until it rested against the rock, she rose and gestured with a leather pouch which she had taken from her saddlebags. ‘I’ve given him a potion which will ease the pain and put strength into him. I think he will be able to talk.’
‘I hope he can,’ Athena replied. ‘They’ve many hours start, but he may be able to tell us if there’s a way we can catch them before they get too far into their territory.’
‘What’s wrong with him?’ Bunduki inquired, as he and the princess went to the rock.
‘It’s similar to if he had taken a bad throw from a horse,’ Melissa replied. ‘There’s a lot of severe bruising, but I don’t think there are any bones broken or internal inj—’ Bringing the words to an end, she stiffened and pointed to the west of the direction taken by the cage-carts on leaving the lake. ‘Up there!’
Turning, Athena and Bunduki saw a pair of Mun-Gatah warriors armed with lances watching them from a rim about two hundred yards away. Twisting around on his grar-gatah’s saddle, the man at the left made a signal to somebody who was still out of sight.
‘Do you know who they are?’ Bunduki asked, having heard a puzzled grunt and noticing that the injured man was studying the newcomers.
‘The one who is waving rides for Woltarn of Hera-Gatah.’
Gromart replied. ‘But, by the color of his clothing, the other serves Korkar of Wol-Gatah.’
Then they’re not the High Priest’s men?’ Bunduki guessed, remembering how—although the speaker’s garments were black and those of the pair on the rim respectively light tan and a rich mahogany—Dryaka and his adherents had been attired in dark oak brown clothing.
‘Not unless they’ve gone over to him,’ Gromart answered.
‘Could their leaders be riding together?’ the blond giant went on.
‘I know of a reason why they might be,’ Gromart admitted, nodding towards the bodies. It’s the same
as caused you and the Amazons to become allies.’
‘What are we going to do, Bunduki?’ Athena put in.
‘Stay here,’ the blond giant replied, laying down his bow and collecting the shield from the quagga’s saddle horn. ‘I’m going to try to call a parlay with their leaders.’
‘You might not get a chance to ask,’ Melissa warned, watching the warriors riding forward slowly. ‘Mun-Gatahs don’t wait to talk, they attack.’
‘I’ll see if I can do it, anyway,’ Bunduki replied. ‘Hold on to our mounts’ reins and be ready to run if they won’t listen.’
Slipping his left arm through the loops, the blond giant allowed the shield to dangle by his side as he strode towards the foot of the slope. Before he had taken half a dozen strides, two more riders appeared on the rim. Combined with the fact that they were mounted on quaggas, the quality of their attire told him they were of high rank. Reining to a halt, they stared downwards and then at each other.
‘It seems we’re too late in finding Gromart, brother,’ Wol-tarn growled, as he looked to his front. ‘Have you ever seen a man like that one?’
‘No,’ Korkar admitted. ‘But he could be the “Ape” who my man said had escaped from Mador’s ‘Terrifier’. What does he-?’
There was an interruption before the District Administrator for Wol-Gatah could complete the question. Sent ahead as Scouts, the young grar-gatah riders had had orders to notify their leaders if they located the party from San-Gatah. Having achieved their purpose, the sight by the lake had shocked them and, although they continued to advance, neither could decide what further action they should take. Watching Bunduki as he started to walk towards them, Woltarn’s adherent looked back with the intention of asking for instructions. Instantly, the other warrior lowered the head of his lance and sent his mount bounding forward. Giving a startled exclamation, the Hera-Gatah man returned his attention to the front. Seeing what was happening, he duplicated his companion’s actions.
‘Leave them to me!’ Bunduki barked over his shoulder and hoping the Amazons, particularly Athena, would obey.
‘Do it!’ the princess ordered, although she would have liked to help. ‘He knows what he’s doing and, unless I’m mistaken, those two are due for a nasty shock.’
‘Stay back!’ Woltarn thundered at the men who were approaching, then looked at the other Administrator. ‘Let’s see how he fares. If he can deal with them, the “Apes” must really have special powers.’
‘I agree,’ Korkar answered and turned to repeat the order to his oncoming adherents.
Dividing his attention between the two young warriors and the riders who were appearing on the rim, Bunduki decided that he would not need one line of defense he had been contemplating. Knowing that the challenge roar of a bull-Mangani threw gatahs into a state of panic, he had planned to use it as a means of disrupting a charge launched by the entire party. However, their leaders were not offering to attack. He had no intention of wasting such an effective tactic against just two assailants who, typical of their race, were not even attempting to work together. Instead, he would face them in a manner which—provided it succeeded—was sure to impress their superiors and companions.
‘Huh!’ Korkar grunted, watching the blond giant adopting a slightly crouching posture with the shield held vertically in front of him. ‘If that’s the best the “Apes” can do, he isn’t much of a warrior.’
Although the grar-gatah rider could not hear the comment, he shared his superior’s summation. It appeared that the big foreigner was playing into his hands. During his recently ended training, he had seen lances driven through captured Amazon and Gru-ziak shields. While the man did not look like a member of either race, the warrior doubted that he would be any better protected.
Pressing the nine foot long bamboo shaft between his elbow and ribs, the warrior had his right wrist through the rawhide loop at the lance’s point of balance for additional rigidity and control. Grinning savagely, he aligned the weapon so that its point was directed at the center of the elliptical shield. As they were converging, he waited with eager anticipation. Carried by the propulsive force of his speeding mount, the lance would drive through its target. Even if it failed to impale the big foreigner, he would be thrown from his feet and left helpless by the impact.
Or so the inexperienced youngster fondly imagined!
Then the contact occurred!
Applying all of his enormous strength to subsidize his weight and braced posture, Bunduki lunged to meet his assailant. He knew that he was gambling with more than his life, the stakes also included a chance to rescue Dawn and the future of every race on Zillikian.
Biting into the shield’s buffalo hide outer cover, the lance passed through to meet the unyielding bulletproof fiberglass interior. Its head disintegrated and, with a crackling sound, the shaft bulged like an inflated balloon until splitting open lengthwise. A shriek burst from the warrior as his wrist was broken and he found himself being thrust over the cantle of the saddle. Going down, he had no chance to break his fall. Landing rump first, his head struck the ground with sufficient force to knock him unconscious. He lay supine and as helpless as he had expected his prospective victim would be.
Although the second warrior had joined in the attack, he was convinced that he had little hope of gaining acclaim by killing the foreigner. So he had only turned his lance into the action position in case the man managed to avoid his companion’s charge. Watching the apparently inexperienced way in which the big man was acting, he had felt sure it would not happen. So he was amazed by the turn of events he witnessed. He was .not permitted to recover his wits.
Leaping over the fallen warrior, Bunduki sprang to meet his second assailant. He swung his shield to the left, its edge catching and thrusting aside the lance. Working in smooth co-ordination and devastating speed, his right hand grabbed the grar-gatah’s reins just below the bit. With a twisting wrench, he caused the startled animal to lose its balance.
Feeling his mount going down, the Mun-Gatah discarded his lance and threw himself from the saddle. He contrived to alight on his feet, but that did not avail him anything. Tossing aside the shield, Bunduki followed the staggering warrior and delivered a backhand blow to the side of his jaw. It knocked him spinning for several feet before he went down. On landing, he rolled over three times before coming to a halt on his face and sprawling motionless.
‘Mun-Gatahs!’ the blond giant thundered, striding by his victims and looking at their companions, who he could see were both startled and impressed. ‘I am Bunduki, son of Tarzan of the Apes, Lord of the Jungle, ruler of our nation. I stand with empty hands and ask that your leaders speak in peace with me.’
Conscious of their adherents’ scrutiny, Woltarn and Korkar exchanged glances. Developments in Bon-Gatah might have forced them to put aside their lifelong rivalry, but neither was ready to assume the responsibility for accepting such an unprecedented proposal. If the decision proved wrong, whoever had made it would suffer a serious loss of status.
Gromart would normally have had similar reservations, but he considered that the present circumstances justified him taking the initiative. However, although the potion he had been given was improving his condition, he found he was still too weak to rise and asked the Amazons to assist him.
‘Grant the parlay, brothers!’ Gromart shouted, standing supported by Athena and Melissa. ‘He has knowledge of the things with which my people were killed and we have need to learn about them.’
‘It will be as you say, brother!’ Woltarn promised, after looking at and receiving a nod from Korkar. They thrust the butts of their lances into the ground and he went on, ‘We will meet you with empty hands, Bunduki of the Apes. You have our sacred oath to the Quagga God that you and the Amazons will be allowed to leave unhindered when it is over.’
‘Some of Princess Athena’s warriors are following us,’ Bunduki warned. ‘It would be advisable to let their captain know what is happening.’
‘
Send the Antelope to tell her,’ Woltarn suggested, realizing that the precaution was sensible. ‘Can my men come and attend to those two young fools who attacked you?’
‘Of course,’ Bunduki agreed. ‘I’ll join the princess and wait for you.’
Collecting his shield in passing, the blond giant walked down the slope. Having helped to replace Gromart against the rock, Melissa mounted her horse and departed. Although Athena tried not to show it, Bunduki could tell she was nervous. Giving her a reassuring smile in passing, he laid his shield by the bow and stepped to her side.
‘Do you wish us to withdraw while you speak together, my lords?’ Bunduki asked, as the two Administrators arrived and dismounted.
‘That won’t be necessary,’ Gromart stated, then introduced himself and his companions.
While Bunduki was presenting Athena, Woltarn glanced from the hyena to the bow. His gaze flickered to the quagga and then he looked harder. Realizing that it was not Gromart’s mount, as he had assumed, he asked where it had come from.
‘I took it when we were sent by the “Suppliers” to punish the People-Taker for breaking their laws by collecting the population of a Telonga village,’ Bunduki explained, having anticipated the question and decided how to handle it.
‘You know the “Suppliers”?’ Gromart ejaculated, having suspected that there might be such a connection.
‘We serve them as warriors,’ Bunduki answered, noticing that the words had been more of a statement than a question. ‘That is why they have given us such special weapons.’
‘Then why haven’t we heard of you before?’ Woltarn challenged, but his tones were less aggressive than was usual.
‘There has never been need for us to intervene before,’ Bunduki pointed out, watching the Mun-Gatahs’ expressions. He saw nothing to suggest that they were rejecting his explanation and continued, ‘But, with Dryaka having the size of the collections increased and learning how to make the “Thunder Powder”, the “Suppliers” decided that we must do so.’