by J. T. Edson
‘I said that he knew what, the “Terrifier” he had thrown at him was,’ Korkar stated, looking triumphantly at Woltarn.
‘I know,’ Bunduki confirmed, wondering how the man had learned of the incident and pleased that the matter of the People-Taker’s fate was not being pursued. ‘You have come to ask Lord Gromart to stand with you against Dryaka. Tell me all you know so that I can decide how best I can help you.’
Under normal conditions, the idea of expecting aid even from another Mun-Gatah would never have occurred to any of the Administrators. However, all had seen how deadly the High Priest’s weapon could be. In addition, Woltarn and Korkar knew exactly how perilous a situation was facing them. So they were willing to accept that Bunduki, whose excellent weapons seemed to prove that his nation was especially favored by the ‘Suppliers’, could produce the solution to their dilemma.
Accepting Korkar’s invitation to start the explanation, Woltarn described the incident at the Council Chamber and its aftermath. A spy in Dryaka’s retinue had learned that, once the sacrifice had been made, the entire Council of Elders and six District Administrators were to be killed so that he could become the sole ruler of their nation. The plan would be possible. Tradition dictated that only adherents of the Protectress and the High Priest could enter the Temple, so the victims would have no warriors present to defend them. However, as far as the spy had known, the High Priest did not have an ‘Ape’ to exhibit as proof that his recent actions and plans for the future met with the Quagga God’s approval. Unless he could do so, despite having his terrible new weapon and an alliance with Charole, he would not be able to gain sufficient support to ensure the success of his scheme. There had soon been confirmation for Woltarn’s belief that Dryaka would never have made the commitment unless he was certain he could fulfill it.
Korkar also had a man in the High Priest’s service. Although the man had learned of Dawn being recaptured, he was sent with Mador’s- reinforcements before he could inform his superior. On arriving at the scene of the escort’s massacre, he had seen the failure of the ‘Terrifier’ and ridden with the party who pursued Bunduki. After they had given up the chase, he had made an excuse and returned to report to Korkar. Being aware that the delivery of the prisoner would allow Dryaka to keep his promise, Korkar had contacted Woltarn. Wanting greater strength than their combined factions, they had decided to seek out Gromart and ask him to join them.
‘We didn’t know whether the girl had escaped, been taken by Gru-ziaks, or you’d got hold of her,’ Korkar went on. ‘If it was you, we intended to help you to keep her, because without her, Dryaka’s finished.’
‘You came too late for that,’ Gromart answered bitterly, looking at the corpses. ‘Mador took her away with him.’
‘Your only chance, my lords, is to help me rescue her, Bunduki put in. ‘Either before she reaches Bon-Gatah, or after she is there.’
Waiting for the three Administrators to reply, the blond giant hoped the risks he had taken to obtain the parlay would be worthwhile. With Dawn’s captors having left so many hours ago and travelling deeper into their home territory, the three men’s assistance could prove invaluable. If they would help him, he might not only save the woman he loved but also end the threat of the ‘Thunder Powder’.
Chapter Ten – We Need Her Alive
‘Look, Ariadne, that’s Dryaka and Charole waiting to greet us,’ Dawn Drummond-Clayton remarked, pointing ahead and forcing herself to speak lightly. ‘Don’t you find it satisfying to learn you’re so popular?’
‘One expects it in my position,’ the Amazon princess answered, trying to sound equally nonchalant. She glanced over her shoulder and continued, ‘But, after the way he’s been treated, I don’t think the “Hairy Man” cares for Mun-Gatah hospitality.’
After having been paraded along the streets of Bon-Gatah, the two cage-carts were entering the main gates of the amphitheatre behind the Temple of the Quagga God. In the second vehicle, Bal-Tak was displaying rage caused through fear of such alien surroundings and the goading to which he had been subjected by the population. He was showing no ill effects from having been knocked unconscious when, terrified by the explosions the previous night, he had plunged headlong into the bars of his cage.
Due to Dawn’s appreciation of the danger and the swift actions they had taken, she and Ariadne had not been harmed. They had watched the slaughter of Gromart’s party, but neither they nor their captors were aware that he had survived. Impressed by the results of the ‘Terrifiers’’ explosions, Mador had not thought to check that all of the victims were dead. Instead, he had ordered that their livestock—which had been hobbled and were unable to run far be collected. With the teams harnessed to the carts, he set off at a fast pace and used the riding gatahs to supplement the draught animals when they were exhausted. A man had been sent to give Dryaka the news. Shortly before noon, bringing replacement tuh-gatahs, thirty well armed warriors had met them.
By late, afternoon, the party had reached the Mun-Gatahs’ capital city. Their arrival had been the cause of great excitement. From the many comments which were passed, Dawn realized that she was the main source of the population’s interest. Her original escort had mentioned that her escape from the hunting camp was common knowledge and how everyone wanted to find out what one of the mysterious ‘Apes’ looked like.
Looking around the oblong amphitheatre, Dawn could guess at its purpose. The tiers of seats which rose from the walls would hold a large number of people. In addition to the main entrance, there was a smaller gate in the left hand wall. Its door, bearing the insignia of a rampant quagga stallion, was closed. Access to the rear of the Temple was supplied by a large wooden double door in the center, or through the four steel barred gates on either side of it. Five balconies on the first floor offered vantage points for more important spectators.
Returning her gaze to Charole and Dryaka, Dawn decided that they must be on better terms than when she had last been in contact with them. They no longer displayed hostility towards each other. What was more, although dressed in the same general fashion, the Protectress of the Quagga God now had on dark oak brown greaves such as were worn by the High Priest’s adherents. Nor were any of the women behind them wearing the cross-strap sandals which had previously been used by her female supporters.
‘Hera, Queen of the Gods!’ Ariadne ejaculated, cutting into the Earth girl’s thoughts. ‘What are those things, a cross between a Mun-Gatah and a “Hairy Man”?’
‘They must be the Brelefs I heard my first escort mention,’ Dawn replied, turning her attention to the objects of the princess’s comment. Studying the brutish features, muscular build and the long bamboo sticks held by the men in question, she went on, ‘The Mun-Gatahs use them as guards for prisoners, but don’t take them on raids.’
‘That’s why I’ve never come across them before,’ Ariadne said and made a wry face. ‘I wish I could have kept it that way.’
‘You’ve made a final haul, Mador,’ Dryaka praised his senior adherent, who had galloped across the arena on arriving, ‘Having the Amazon princess and the “Hairy Man”, we can give the people a fine show before the sacrifice.’
‘You’ll have to prove to them that Dawn does have special powers, my lord,’ Mador warned. ‘From remarks I heard, after seeing her in the same cage as the Amazon, they’re wondering if she really is an “Ape”.’
‘Haven’t they fought with each other?’ Dryaka growled, looking at the girls standing side by side at the front of the leading cage-cart.
‘No, my lord,’ Mador answered. ‘In fact, the way they’ve been behaving, they might belong to the same nation.’
‘That will change when they’re facing each other with weapons in their hands,’ the High Priest declared, then raised his voice. ‘Bring the women to the left and put the “Hairy Man” on the other side of the doors.’
Seated on the near side lead horses, so as to be out of the prisoners’ reach, the drivers carried out their inst
ructions. Guiding his team around, the man in charge of the girls’ cart halted and backed it towards the steel barred gate on the left of the wooden double door. While some of the Brelefs stood around grasping the bamboo sticks, which were tipped with sharp steel spikes, one of their number boarded the cart and opened the door of the cage. Two more pulled on a rope which drew up the steel barred gate against which the vehicle had been brought to a stop.
‘So we’ve got you again, Dawn “of the Apes”,’ Charole commented, walking forward with a mocking smile.
‘You’ve never had me,’ Dawn corrected, looking down with disdain. Although she had not mentioned how she had been taken during her previous captivity, she decided that doing so now might cause dissension. ‘But you would have if Dryaka’s people hadn’t waited until your party had taken me, then killed them.’
‘I’ve already told Lady Charole what happened,’ Dryaka put in, advancing and laying a hand on the Protectress’s arm. ‘And I’ve offered to have those who were responsible punished.’
‘But I’ve assured Lord Dryaka it isn’t necessary,’ Charole declared, throwing a reassuring smile at Mador. Then she looked at the Brelefs and snapped, Tut the one who talks in that cell.’
‘It seems you always tell somebody else to do your work for you,’ Dawn sneered, stepping away from Ariadne. ‘Why don’t you try to make me go in?’
‘Stand back, all of you!’ Charole screeched, bounding across to snatch a pole from one of the Brelefs. Holding it in both hands, she thrust the spiked end through the bars and jabbed it in the Earth girl’s direction. ‘Get in there, da—!’
In her annoyance, the Protectress had forgotten one basic fact. Normally there would have been several Brelefs around the cart, all using their goads at the same time, to drive a recalcitrant prisoner from the cage. So she failed to achieve the desired result.
Stepping aside, Dawn stamped on the goad with all the strength she could muster. A startled and pained shriek burst from Charole as her forward hand was forced down and grazed against the side of the cart. When her involuntary rearwards tug failed to free the stick, she gave a much harder jerk—and wished that she had not.
Timing the move perfectly, Dawn lifted her foot. Caught unawares by the cessation of resistance, Charole reeled backwards. If she had not collided with a couple of her adherents, she would have fallen over. Fury darkened her beautiful features as she heard a few muted sniggers from the onlookers. Twisting around and flinging aside the goad, she grabbed a spear from the nearest woman and, turning towards the cart, raised it ready for a throw.
?Stop that!’ Dryaka barked, leaping forward and catching the Protectress by the right arm. Meeting the rage filled glare she directed at him with one that was grimly commanding, he went on, ‘She’s no use to us dead. We need her alive.’
At first, it seemed that Charole’s temper would get the better of her. Then, giving an angry hiss, she drew her arm free. Tossing the spear almost at, rather than to, its owner, Varbia, who scowled as she caught it, she yelled for the Brelefs to drive the girl from the cage.
Seeing the sub-humans approaching from three sides, Dawn realized that any further resistance would be of no avail. To attempt it could result in her sustaining an injury which would preclude any chance of her escaping should an opportunity be presented. So, before the first of the lumbering Brelefs could touch her with a goad, she darted a mocking smile at the Protectress and jumped from the cart. Although Ariadne started to follow her, the two doors slid down and the vehicle moved away.
Hearing the clang of the door closing behind her, Dawn caught her balance on the cold stone floor. She was in a cell about three times the size of the cage, its wall and ceiling being made of thick wire mesh. Another barred door, with a small grill at the bottom, faced the one through which she had entered. Apart from a small cubicle housing a rudimentary toilet, the sole furnishing was a simple hide bed that was securely fastened to the floor.
Dawn’s new quarters were in a large room which was clearly designed for holding prisoners. Apart from the doorways which gave access to other parts of the Temple and the space taken up by two massive round pillars of stone blocks serving as supports for the upper floors of the building, the walls were lined with cells similar to the one she had entered. However, as far as she could see, none of them was occupied.
Conscious that she was being watched by Charole and others of the Mun-Gatahs, Dawn was determined not to give them the satisfaction of knowing that she was filled with a sense of foreboding. Crossing to the other door, as if meaning to obtain a better look at the rest of the room, she gave it a tentative push. Not unexpectedly, she found that it would not move. She decided to leave trying to discover how it was secured for the time being. However, she stood with her back to the entrance until the scraping of steel on steel gave her an excuse to turn.
Looking through the wire mesh, Dawn found that the cart had been moved into position and the door of the next cell was being raised. She was pleased that, although the mesh was too small for them to be able to reach one another, she and Ariadne would be close enough to converse without needing to raise their voices. The far from comfortable final stages of their transportation had served to strengthen their friendship and mutual respect. Knowing she could count upon the princess’s support should an opportunity to escape be presented, she welcomed being placed so conveniently. They would be able to discuss plans and give each other moral support.
Much to Dawn’s relief, she saw that Ariadne was quitting the cage without giving the Brelefs cause to use the goads. However, as the barred door crashed down, the princess spun towards it. Her buxom body was quivering with emotion as she realized what the sound meant. The Earth girl decided that she needed something to help her regain control.
‘I say, Ariadne,’ Dawn remarked, stepping to the dividing mesh and forcing herself to use a casual tone. ‘These Mun-Gatahs don’t supply very good accommodation, do they?’
At the first word, the princess’s head snapped around. Her face showed a strain that was close to terror as their eyes met. However, Dawn’s calm demeanor had the desired effect. Drawing in a deep breath, Ariadne restrained her desire to dash across the cell and scream imprecations at the Mun-Gatahs. Sensing that they expected some such display, she told herself she would not give it.
‘I’d call it very poor,’ the princess corrected, attaining a similar nonchalance. Turning away from the onlookers, she went to and prodded the bed with her right forefinger. ‘I wouldn’t expect even a slave to sleep on a thing like this.’
Watching the Mun-Gatahs surreptitiously, Dawn could tell that the majority of them were disappointed by the apparently unconcerned manner in which she and Ariadne were accepting their imprisonment. However, she suspected that Dryaka found their behavior disturbing for some other reason. His gaze repeatedly darted from the princess to her and back again.
A commotion arose further along the building, guttural and almost grunting shouts mingling with Bal-Tak’s roars of rage, drawing the onlookers’ attention from the girls. With the exception of their leaders, the Mun-Gatahs walked away. Lingering for a few seconds, with Charole scowling her hatred at Dawn, Dryaka gave a shrug and suggested that they went and made sure no damage was done to the ‘Hairy Man’ while he was being driven into the cell.
‘I’ve never seen prisoners from two races behaving like that pair,’ the High Priest complained, as he and the Protectress followed their adherents. ‘If they won’t fight with each other when we put them in the arena, we’ll have difficulty in persuading the people that she really is an “Ape”.’
‘Then we’ll have to make them fight,’ Charole replied.
Having stepped to the outer doors as soon as Dryaka and Charole moved away, in the hope of finding out what happened to Bal-Tak, the girls heard what was said. However, as they were unable to see the Mangani’s cage-cart they looked at each other.
‘So that’s what’s in store for us!’ Ariadne ejaculated.
&nb
sp; ‘I thought they might have something like it in mind,’ Dawn confessed. ‘So I’d suggested we disappoint them by refusing to fight.’
‘And me—not that I’d be afraid to,’ the princess replied, her racial pride compelling the supplementary statement.
‘Neither of us would, if we had to,’ Dawn pointed out, ‘But our only hope of escaping is by working together.’
‘How can we escape?’ Ariadne demanded, glaring around in a despairing manner.
‘It won’t be easy,’ Dawn confessed. ‘But we mustn’t give up hope.’
Before any more could be said, the Brelefs succeeded in forcing Bal-Tak to enter his cell. Turning, he hurled himself at the descending door. Failing to stop it closing, he shook at the bars and bellowed in terror-filled fury. Much as Dawn sympathized with him, she did not call out. She knew that nothing she could say would calm him and felt it might be advantageous if her captors were unaware of her ability to speak his language.
With the prisoners secured, all but one of the Mun-Gatahs took their departure through the gathering dusk. The exception, a burly man with a bunch of keys hanging on his belt, was the jailer and was in command of the Brelefs. Barking out orders, he set them to work. While the double doors were being closed and locked, lanterns were suspended from hooks in the ceiling so that they threw light on the fronts of the occupied cells. However, no attempt was made to illuminate the rest of the room. When trays were brought, the girls allowed them to be passed through the grills at the bottom of the doors. Despite being thrust at by goads, Bal-Tak tried to reach the sub-human who was delivering his meal. All he achieved was to send the food and gourd of water flying and no more was fetched for him.
Night had fallen by the time the girls finished eating. The jailer and the Brelefs had gone through a door at the opposite side of the room, without collecting the trays or posting guards. On making a more thorough examination of the cells, Dawn and Ariadne realized that such a precaution was unnecessary. Accepting that breaking out was impossible, they decided to rest and build up their strength ready for whatever might lie ahead. Both were very tired and they soon fell asleep. Exhausted by his attempts to tear down the door of his cell, Bal-Tak followed their example.