"There are too many abroad in Vruun — too many for this late!" Shan Kar was muttering.
"The coming of war has stirred all the Qans," came Tark's answering thought.
The wolf continued quickly. "Jhanon, the prisoner you seek to free, is held in the Hall of the Clans. But the Guardian and the Clan-leaders undoubtedly hold council there tonight."
Nelson glimpsed the distant building at which the wolf was gazing, an enormous pale bubble-structure, shimmering vaguely in the starlight near the center of the forest city.
"You've got to get us into the hall, so that we may liberate Jhanon," Shan Kar quickly told the wolf.
Nelson realized that everything was working their way. The fact of the Humanite prisoner being in that building made it possible to let Tark lead them right in there before they turned on him. Yet he had a dim suspicion that this fortunate coincidence was too fortunate! If Tark had really fathomed that their mission was to seize Kree and Nsharra—
The wolf's clear thought interrupted his uneasy speculations. "There's only one secret way to the Hall and that's by the drains of the ancients."
"We could too easily lose ourselves in that maze of tunnels," objected Shan Kar.
"Not if I guide you," Tark assured. "But the decision is yours. You can see there is no other way for you to enter Vruun."
Nelson liked the prospect less and less. But it was obviously madness for them to try entering the city openly. Unless they took the wolf's way in they must give up the whole attempt.