"To think of the powers, the knowledge, that have been hidden here for ages!"
"It is why this cavern is a forbidden place," said Nsharra. "It is why my father could not let any enter here to hear these records that prove the origin of the Brotherhood is no myth!"
Of a sudden Tark whirled and his thought came swiftly to Nelson and the girl. "They come now from outside, into the Cavern!"
Nelson swung around, gripping his gun. He could not see the entrance of the Cavern-the shaking curtain of radiance from the cleft of cold fire barred his gaze.
Yet he trusted the wolf's instincts. He asked quickly, "How many, Tark?"
"But four," the wolf's thought answered. "The two outlanders, and Shan Kar and Hoik of the Humanites."
"The other Humanites would fear to enter!" Nsharra exclaimed, her eyes blazing.
"It gives us a better chance," Nelson rasped. "Nsharra, stay back here in the shadows. I'm going to try to get them as they come through that tube."
He sprang forward and found Tark running beside him. "It was for this fight that I came with you, outlander! I owe a blood-debt!"
They hastened into the shadowy interior of the huge wrecked turbine, to the end of the giant tube. Nelson crouched there, gun in hand, his other hand restraining the tense hairy body of Tark.