Once within, Tharn's first thought was that he had been brought to another cell. Instead of the score or so of prisoners he had expected, there were fully a hundred men gathered here. Then he began to pick out familiar faces; and an instant later his doubts were dispelled as Katon came forward to welcome him, his blue eyes sparkling with pleasure.
"Tharn!" he exclaimed joyfully. "I knew you would return. Did you find Alurna?"
"I found her," Tharn admitted ruefully. "But it would have been wiser to leave her at Sephar's gates."
Katon's smile faded. "You are right, my friend. Everything seems to work against us. You and I both have been hurt by this change. Had not Pryak gone completely mad, you and your mate would be starting for home by now, and Urim would have set me free.
"But all that may as well be forgotten, now. Soon the Games begin; our chief worry will be to save our skins."
Tharn looked about at the many strange faces.
"It appears we shall have plenty of company," he observed.
"There are many others besides these," was the reply. "Pryak fears many of Urim's friends and intends using the Games to eliminate them. A room across the hall is filled with at least as many as you see here; and many of those men loved Urim and hate the one who caused his death.
"Pryak hopes to accomplish a double purpose this time. He will gain favor by offering the bloodiest Games ever held; also, he expects to wipe out all who oppose him by sending the opposition itself into the arena.