"My father lives?" cried Jotan. "I thought Jaltor had slain him."
Quickly Tamar explained what had actually happened. When he had finished, Jotan said, "Before we do anything else I must find my father. Help me search these cells, both of you."
"He may not be on this level," Tamar said. "We could spend hours hunting him. The thing to do would be to go to Jaltor——"
But Jotan was already on his way along the corridor, peering in at the occupant of each.
Minutes later there was a sizable group of men freed from the cells and grouped about Jotan and Tamar. Among them was Garlud, Jotan's father, his gaunt face wreathed in smiles, his strength, sapped by long days of imprisonment, flowing back at the realization he was free and in possession of the name of the man who had brought about his downfall. The others were those members of Jotan's party who had accompanied him from far-off Sephar, released from their brief imprisonment and ready for action.
Tamar said, "And now we can go to Jaltor and tell him what happened!"
"We shall have to take this man"—Jotan pointed to the fallen and unmoving body of Sitab—"to Jaltor as our only witness against Vokal."
Garlud said, "It is hard to believe that Vokal is the one behind all this trouble. We have been friends for many years, all of Ammad loves him, even Jaltor admires him more than almost any noble of the court."
"He is behind the plot against us, father," Jotan said sharply. "There can be no doubt about it."