"Welcome, Karrel!" Jarl laughed again, loud and reckless. "I'm claiming the Knife and your chiefship, by the law of the raiders!"
"A fight to the death—?" The other's lipless gash-mouth twisted awry. The green eyes were smouldering. "A pleasure, Jarl Corvett!"
The huge mutant stripped off his tunic, his gun-belt.
His Pervod lieutenant cried, "Raiders! A death-ring!"
The crewmen fell back, and linked arms, formed a circle.
Knee-long arms swaying, their chief shambled forward.
Jarl pushed Sais back. The circle parted to pass her.
Karrel's mouth worked. "Jarl Corvett...."
"Yes."
"If you die, I claim the woman!"