by John Norman
"So your friend, now, will respond only to Gorean?” said Grendel.
"He will doubtless understand both,” said Cabot, “but respond, hopefully, only to Gorean."
"And it is to your commands only that he will respond?"
"I think so,” said Cabot. “If you like, I shall introduce you, and you may test the matter."
"Perhaps another might make the test,” said Statius.
"This has been done over several days?” said Lord Grendel.
"Yes,” said Cabot. “And often I have not taken meat from the camp. A kind word, a hand knotted in the fur, affectionately, and shaken, is as effective, and seems more savored, I learn, than even roast tarsk."
"Your friend seems unusual,” said Lord Grendel.
"I do not know,” said Cabot. “I suspect, rather, it is that few take the trouble to understand such friends, let alone accord them friendship, or affection."
"I think your friend,” said Statius, “is hideous, and dangerous."
"He is in his way beautiful,” said Cabot, “as the shark, or larl, is beautiful, but it is true he is dangerous."
"I suspect your friend is quite intelligent,” said Lord Grendel.
"He has long been noted for that,” said Cabot.
"And loyal?” asked Statius.
"I fear so, even unreasonably,” said Cabot.
"I think I know your friend,” said Lord Grendel.
"He has long protected the camp,” said Statius, “has he not?"
"I think so,” said Cabot.
"How are we to proceed?” asked Grendel. “Am I to serve as bait in some trap?"
"No,” said Cabot. “I would not put you at risk."
"Is that decision not mine?"
"No, dear friend,” said Cabot. “In this instance, it is mine."
Chapter, the Fifty-Ninth:
A RENDEZVOUS TAKES PLACE
"I see,” said Flavion, stepping forth from the trees, “you have not brought weapons."
"In accord with our agreement,” said Cabot.
"My colleagues,” said Flavion, glancing to the left and right, “are armed."
"I see no colleagues,” said Cabot.
"They are there,” said Flavion. “You were to bring Grendel with you, as though hunting or on patrol, delivering him to us, at this place. Where is he?"
"Where is the slave, and gold?” said Cabot.
Flavion bent over, and one of his feet scratched angrily, suddenly, at the ground. Cabot watched, imperturbably, as leaves and dirt settled.
Cabot heard a rustle in the brush to his right.
Flavion was not the only Kur displeased.
"Do you think to insult us?” came from Cabot's translator.
"Do you think to insult me?” asked Cabot.
"We do not care to be tricked,” said Flavion.
"Nor do I,” said Cabot.
"Where is the monster, Grendel?"
"Where is the gold, the slave?” said Cabot.
"You do not trust us,” said Flavion.
"My mistrust, it seems,” said Cabot, “is abundantly justified."
"Where is Grendel?"
"I suppose, in camp,” said Cabot.
"You are making a test of us?"
"And perhaps you of me?"
Flavion brandished his rifle, one of power. “I could kill you now,” he said.
"That would not bring Lord Grendel to you,” said Cabot.
"I must consult with my superiors,” said Flavion. “Return to camp."
Cabot turned about, and withdrew.
Behind him he heard a howl of Kur rage.
Chapter, the Sixtieth:
THE WAYS OF KUR
"Our cause is lost!” exclaimed Flavion, entering the camp.
"How so?” cried Grendel, rushing forward. Others, too, rushed forward, to be apprised of whatever dire intelligence might be conveyed by their scout, Flavion.
"The men of Mitonicus have entered the theater of death,” said Flavion.
"As in the amnesty?” said Statius.
"They are true to the ways of the Kur,” said a Kur.
"Speak!” demanded Cabot.
"Speak!” demanded Archon.
"Tell them,” said Statius, “for they are not Kur."
"As you well know,” said Flavion, “the despised wretches, the arrant cowards, of the great defeat have the obligation to do away with themselves or submit to the knife, that their dismal, unworthy seed not pollute the folk. Great Agamemnon, in an act of seeming mercy, has called them to the theater, that of death, where they expect to be forgiven, and their penalties revoked, merely for joining his forces."
"That will be the end of it,” said Archon, “for we cannot long resist such a coalition."
"No,” said Lord Grendel. “It is the same trick. They have been brought there to die."
"I fear so,” lamented Flavion.
"How so?” asked Statius.
"They have been forbidden to bring weapons with them,” said Flavion.
"How is this known?” asked a Kur.
"It is common knowledge,” said Flavion. “I learned it in the habitats, which I recently infiltrated at great personal risk."
"Brave Flavion!” said a Kur.
"They filed like docile verr, slowly, in long lines, heads down, to the theater of death,” said Flavion.
"Madness,” said Cabot. “In their numbers they could balance the very forces of Agamemnon, which are intent upon their destruction."
"We are lost either way,” said Flavion. “If they are spared, Agamemnon will be invincible. If they are destroyed, all hope for our cause is doomed."
Lord Grendel was silent.
"What then, noble Lord Grendel,” said Flavion, “is to be done?"
"What would you suggest?” said Lord Grendel.
"We have no choice,” said Flavion. “We must surrender, surrender completely, wholly. We must submit to an abject, unconditional surrender."
There were moans of misery within the camp. Slave girls wept. Statius’ slave howled, and then crept to his feet, frightened, seeking comfort. He put his hand gently on her shaggy head.
"Humans will be killed, surely,” said Peisistratus.
"All rebels,” said Statius.
"No, no,” said Flavion. “We must not despair. The future is unclear. The only thing clear is that we must surrender our cause, and place ourselves at the mercy of Agamemnon."
"When,” asked Lord Grendel, “were the mariners to gather in the theater?"
"Yesterday,” said Flavion.
"Then,” said Cabot, “the thing is already resolved."
"But how?” asked a Kur.
"Does it matter?” asked another.
"Poor Mitonicus,” said Cabot. “Loyal to the Kur paths despite to what horror or madness they might lead."
"We have other things to think of,” said Flavion.
"True,” said a Kur.
"Weapons will not be permitted,” said Flavion. “We must put them aside. I will lead you to the habitats. Doubtless anyone, Kur or human, found hereafter, unaccounted for, in the forests, will be outlawed, hunted down, and destroyed."
"Much in the Kur way is foolish, perhaps insane,” said Cabot.
"No more so than much in some human ways,” said Statius.
"You do not understand Kur,” said Lord Grendel.
"Surely you do not approve,” said Cabot, angrily.
"As Kur I understand it,” said Lord Grendel. “Kur ways, such as striking first, retaliating instantly, seeking vengeance, annihilating an enemy, eliminating weakness, punishing failure, improving the folk, pledging loyalty, and keeping it, unquestioning obedience to command, ruthlessness, breeding for Kur virtues, power and energy, savagery, if you like, are hard ways, but they have brought us to a supremacy amongst species. They have made us Kur."
"They are our ways,” said Statius.
"If we surrender the ways,” said Lord Grendel, “we cease to be Kur."
"At the arsenal,
dear Grendel, you spared two agents of Agamemnon, allowing them to return to their base with weapons, in the Vale of Destruction you permitted a tending of enemy wounded, after the battle you freed four hundred prisoners."
"I was weak,” said Lord Grendel.
"No,” said Cabot. “You were human."
"Yes, weak,” said Lord Grendel.
"Yet,” said Cabot, “I think few are as Kur as you."
"What is Kur?” said Lord Grendel.
"Let us cast down our weapons, emerge from the forests, and place ourselves before great Agamemnon,” said Flavion.
"As surrendered, helpless penitents?” asked Lord Grendel.
"Sadly, needfully,” said Flavion.
"Someone comes, someone comes to the gate!” cried Archon.
There was a pounding at the gate.
Weapons were leveled at the gate, cover sought, defensive positions occupied.
"Who is there?” called Lord Grendel.
"Word, word from Mitonicus!” cried a voice, gasping.
"Open the gate!” said Lord Grendel. Two Kurii hurried forward, and opened the gate a yard, and assisted a Kur within. He was gasping, and was scarcely able to stand. He was held by the two who had opened the gate and was brought before Lord Grendel.
"It is a runner,” said Statius.
"How did you find us?” asked a Kur.
"I was searching for you,” he gasped. “I could not find you. I was lost. And then I was driven here, brought here, by a giant sleen."
"One lame!” cried Cabot.
"Yes,” gasped the runner.
"He was not attacked,” said Statius.
"Speak, speak!” cried Lord Grendel.
"I bring word from Mitonicus,” said the Kur.
"Speak,” said Lord Grendel.
"Victory!” he gasped. “We brought concealed weapons to the theater of death, and when they readied their weapons, to fire upon us, it was we who first fired, and attacked. We slew hundreds!"
"How would you dare to do this?” cried Flavion.
"In vengeance for the slaughter of the amnesty!” he gasped. “And we were joined by others, some four hundred, and others, as well."
"Four hundred!” said Archon.
"So what is the situation now?” pressed Lord Grendel.
"Agamemnon has withdrawn to the habitats, and the palace!” said the runner, who then collapsed, shuddering, into the arms of the two Kurii who supported him.
"Tend him,” said Lord Grendel.
"What do we do now?” said Cabot.
"We march on the palace,” said Lord Grendel.
Chapter, the Sixty-First:
A STABILITY OF POSITIONS;
THE REPORT OF FLAVION;
THE ACCOSTING OF THE LADY BINA;
A REFERENCE TO OMENS
"There,” said Lord Grendel, pointing, “off there, in the valley, to the right, see the dome? That is the palace."
"I see,” said Cabot.
With Lord Grendel and his human ally, Tarl Cabot, were several others, Kur and human.
The habitats lay muchly below them, some pasang or so away.
The revolutionaries controlled most of the world's territory, but this was primarily forested area, even wilderness, the remoter villages, and such.
The industrial cylinder and the two agricultural cylinders were largely automated; the pleasure cylinder, with its sealed locks and ports, was effectively emptied; and the sport cylinder, commonly used in less troubled times for the hunting pleasure of Kurii, was now depopulated of its human game, though continuing rich with other forms of animal life.
The outcome of the conflict betwixt Agamemnon and his adversaries would be decided in the world.
"They have excellent defensive positions,” said Lord Grendel. “We have probed them. It would be madness, at this time, to undertake a frontal assault. Beyond this, consider the habitats themselves. Who would risk a door-to-door, habitat-to-habitat, war?"
"Agamemnon, if he were in your position, and had the forces,” said Cabot.
"I suppose so,” said Lord Grendel. “One would expect him to be lavish in expending his resources, but he is no longer in a position where he can spend so freely."
"It is a stalemate,” said Cabot.
"A siege, at least,” said Lord Grendel.
"On Gor,” said Cabot, “a fortress, a city, might be starved into submission."
"Not so here,” said Lord Grendel, “the habitats are, in their way, a land, a territory, at least, for most practical purposes, a world in itself. Supplies, too, have been stored there against investments of the world itself. It would take a century to reduce the habitats to surrender with the resources at our command."
"So a stalemate,” said Cabot. “Or a mad rush to certain death, either on our part or on that of Agamemnon."
"Agamemnon will not order such a charge,” said Lord Grendel, “as he, in his wisdom, would well understand not only its futility, but its implicit fatality, the doom to which it would subject his own cause."
"I recall a war, on another world,” said Cabot, “in which leaders flung their forces repeatedly, meaninglessly, for months, into the muzzles of one another's weapons."
"They were insane,” said Lord Grendel.
"They themselves were of course far removed from the fighting, secure in positions of safety, and thus had little to fear personally. Also, they had abundant resources, it seemed, which they did not mind squandering, doubtless in the hope that each would prove to have more to squander than the other."
"This war of which you speak was between humans?” said Lord Grendel.
"Yes,” said Cabot.
"Of course,” said Lord Grendel. “And was this matter resolved?"
"Through the employment of machines, unusual for the times,” said Cabot.
"There are machines here,” said Lord Grendel, “primarily in the habitats, but none I think which will prove effective here, for none could resist the direct discharge of a power weapon."
"Stalemate,” said Cabot, glumly.
"Agamemnon is impatient,” said Lord Grendel. “He will not submit to your stalemate."
"What will he do?” asked Cabot.
"I do not know,” said Lord Grendel. “I know only that he will act."
"Lo,” said Archon, “Flavion approaches."
"Lord Grendel!” said Flavion.
"It seems you are wounded!” said Lord Grendel.
"It is negligible,” said Flavion. He seemed to waver, slightly. There was blood at his left temple.
"Have your wound treated,” said a Kur.
"It is nothing,” said Flavion.
"Stout Flavion,” exclaimed a Kur.
"You bring us intelligence?” said Lord Grendel.
"Yes,” said Flavion, “intelligence of enormous, and, I fear, transitory, import. I have scouted the habitats and have discovered a route within their defenses, a long path overlooked, and consequently undefended, betwixt high structures, one much shielded from observation, that will lead us to the palace itself, where a certain lightly guarded gate, known to me, may be easily forced."
"This puts the palace in our hands!” said Archon.
"Brave and noble Flavion!” cried a Kur.
"But,” said Flavion, “we must act immediately, as soon as darkness falls."
"Why?” asked Statius.
"This weakness in their defenses is certain to be soon remedied, surely by daylight, when the streets are reconnoitered by the guard."
"Our humans will be at a serious disadvantage in the night,” said Statius.
"Let them be led, clutching strings,” said Flavion. “This moment must not be lost."
"And what forces might we invest in this venture?” asked Lord Grendel.
"As many as possible,” said Flavion. “All, if necessary. Once the palace falls, all opposition will cease."
"Act now, Lord Grendel,” urged a Kur.
"Yes!” cried others.
"Go, dear Flavion,” said
Lord Grendel, “and have your wound tended."
"There is no time for delay, Lord Grendel,” protested Flavion. “Prepare! Summon the forces! It will be dark soon. This opportunity may never come again! We must act, act!"
"Have your wound tended,” said Lord Grendel.
"You must act!” said Flavion. “The situation demands it! Otherwise you are casting away the war! If you do not do this, who will care to follow you? Mutiny will assail your camps!"
"Have your wound tended,” said Lord Grendel.
"Yes, Lord,” said Flavion, and, angrily, departed.
"So,” smiled Lord Grendel, to Cabot, and Statius, who was of late, from a conversation the reader may recall, one in which an ally, or friend, figured, now well apprised of their suspicions with respect to a certain member of their company, “shall we cast away the war?"
"Do as Flavion urges,” said Statius, “and the war will well be cast away."
"I suggest,” said Cabot, “that Flavion himself lead the secret march."
"Yes,” said Statius, “chained, and with bells attached to his hands and feet, and neck."
"Did you see his wound?” asked Cabot.
"Yes,” said Lord Grendel. “And I think dear Flavion was correct, it was negligible."
"There was a good deal of blood,” said Cabot.
"Given the wound,” said Lord Grendel, “it is not likely the blood was his."
"He will try to stir up dissension amongst our forces,” said Cabot.
"Then,” said Lord Grendel, “we will have to kill him."
"I would rather you did not do that,” said Cabot.
"Why not?” asked Statius.
"I think he knows the location of a certain female slave,” said Cabot.
"Forget her,” said Statius. “She is meaningless, nothing, only a female slave, no more than a piece of vendible collar meat."
"She is nicely curved,” said Cabot, “and is appealing in a closely fitting locked collar."
"Slaves are cheap,” said Statius.
"She might bring two tarsks in the open market,” said Cabot.
"Forget her,” said Statius. “We can give you slaves who would bring ten tarsks in an open market."