Thus they came to the gates of the Palace Royal, a city within a city, a citadel within an armed camp, the innermost fortress of fortified Khundru. And it was here their little group was broken up.
As they passed within the gates the nobles dismounted, surrendering their beasts to grooms, and Moranu designated the direction to which each slave should be taken.
"The old man to the control tower. Tell Vesalu to set him to work. The girls to the baths, then to the seraglio of adornment, then to await our brother's pleasure. The men—Well, for the present quarter them with the palace help. Away with you now."
Thus callously were the five members of a family separated. Gary and Lark were placed in the charge of a young lieutenant who led them through a maze of corridors beneath the citadel towards the servants' quarters. As they followed him Gary asked meekly, "Your pardon, sire, but you spoke of 'Erzmun', or creatures of some such name. What are these? Fierce beasts we must meet in the Arena?"
The subaltern chuckled. "Earthmen ... fierce beasts! That's good! No, slave. They are puny creatures from afar who recently dared attempt to storm our planet. They were driven off by our cruisers and crashed, we believe, on Darkside. But a search is being made for them. If they are found, I promise you rare enjoyment at the Games. For they are stupid, weakling creatures. It should be amusing to watch you carve them to bits during the Games."
"And," asked Gary in simulated eagerness, "our mates—when will we see them again?"
The garrulous young lieutenant grinned. "Oh, by and by, I suppose. When our brother to whom they are being loaned for a little while wearies of them. You see, he has been journeying afar quite a while, and is in need of relaxation. It was he who returned but a day ago to warn us of the invasion of these Earthmen—"
It was fortunate that as he spoke the young subaltern did not happen to look at the faces of his two charges. For at his words, both Lark and Gary stiffened, their eyes met in wild surmise. Then Gary spoke for both.
"And—and the name of this noble kraedar?" he asked.
The nobleman laughed curtly. "I do not see that it concerns you, serf. But there is no harm in telling you whose august presence your mate will be permitted to attend. It is our brother, lately returned from tiny Gog. The great and noble kraedar Borisu."